The Proper Golf Swing Setup in Two Easy Steps

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The mental check off list associated with the typical golf swing setup is far too long. Most amateurs worry about too many factors rather than following a few short steps. The following two easy steps will help you get in the proper golf swing setup each time you step up to the ball.

This setup routine can be broken down into smaller steps. But in essence it has two basic parts. Here are the steps for right-handed golfers.

One, step up to the ball with your weight on your right foot. And two, tilt your back shoulder down slightly.

Step 1: Take Your Stance By Leaning Forward On One Foot

After gripping the club, place it behind the ball. Next, place your right foot behind the ball and put all your weight on it. Your left foot lags behind and offers balance.

This position forces you into a comfortable distance from the ball. Too close and you feel the club pushing into your gut. Too far and you are reaching for the club.

Your Arms Should Hang Straight Down

A second check is the location of your arms. Once you have established the proper distance from the ball your arms will hang straight down. Gravity helps put them into the proper position. Do not force them closer to your body or away from your body.

Look Downrange While Placing Your Feet

Turn your head to look downrange as you place your feet. Taking your stance in this manner engages more of your senses. It dynamically helps you to square up to the target.

Shift your weight back and forth while you are looking at the target. Feel the bottoms of your feet making contact with the ground. Focus on the balls of your feet, or the front two-thirds of the foot.

Step Two: Tilt Slightly to the Right

By tilting your right shoulder down it does three things. First, it places a little more weight on the right leg, preparing it for the back swing.

Second, it aligns the right hand in the proper position on the club. The right hand fills a lower position naturally because the right shoulder is now lower.

Third, this slight tilt helps the alignment of your shoulders, arms, and feet to be on the same path to the target.

For a video demonstration of the above steps, click on the link below.

By following the golf swing setup steps in the video you will find yourself playing more often in the fairway and hitting the ball farther.

Tim Heeter is a golf coach and author of Golf Training Aids 365, a website helping golfers learn to take control of their golf game. See videos demonstrating this simple two step golf swing setup at his website Golf Training Aids 365.

Custom Golf Club: Custom Fitting Golf Clubs

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Every golfer’s physical capability and swing is distinctive. Many of today’s best golf clubs can be custom fit for lie angle, shaft type and length, grip type and size. Custom fitting golf clubs involves several easy measurements and a quick self-assessment of your game. This custom golf club has become more than a fad that even not so professional golfers test its waters.

Custom fitting is the process for tailoring a golf club to suit your personal swing, whatever your level, with a custom golf club the aim is to ensure that if you do make a good swing, the club will be square at impact and should produce a straight shot.

Custom Golf Club How To’s:

To custom fit your golf clubs, you need to know: your gender (male or female); your height in your stockings or socks; the distance from your wrist (where it bends) to the floor with your shoes off; your age; your handicap or skill level; how fast you swing a golf club; what club you use at the 150 yard marker.

Gender is used to put you into the correct fitting scale for custom golf clubs. The golf industry uses different definitions of “standard length” for men and women.

Your height and the distance in inches from your wrist to the floor are used together to determine the length of a custom golf club that is appropriate for you. The starting point for club length can vary up to 3 1/2-inches ranging from ladies to men plus 1 1/2-inch. A tall person with long arms can very easily require shorter clubs than an average height person with short arms. About 80 percent of golfers are standard length.

Your age, handicap (if you happen to have one), self-assessed skill level, estimated golf swing speed and club you use at the 150 yard marker are all combined to determined the custom golf club’s shaft flex that is appropriate for you.

Custom fitting can fix your slice. If you slice the ball it means that the toe of the club is leading into the ball which opens the face of the club. That may be down to a swing fault, but it could be because the club is too flat. So as part of the custom fitting process you can make the custom golf club more upright to help with this. This will mean that the toe of the club will be slightly off the ground at address to compensate.

There are different methods of fitting according to custom golf club manufacturers but ultimately they are all trying to improve your game. To begin with simple measurements such as wrist-to-floor, height and hand size are taken and will point you to the right size club and at what angle it should be to the ground. Then you will take a club and hit some balls. One method is to place impact tape on the bottom of the custom golf club and an impact board on the floor.

As you hit the ball the board will leave a mark on the tape showing whether the heel or the toe of the custom golf club is striking the floor first. The resulting mark will show whether the club face needs to be flatter or more upright. Then things get a bit more advanced. Analysis equipment can measure everything from your club speed to the side spin of the ball so that you can get maximum distance from your shot. You can also measure the launch angle of the ball, how much backspin you generate and impact efficiency - all which affect distance. The angle in which the custom golf club approaches the ball and the sidespin of it can help fix your game too.

Rather than bringing down your old clubs, it might be better to start from scratch. It’s a big misconception that custom fitting is only for good golfers. Anyone can benefit. That said, if you plan to upgrade a new set of clubs with the same manufacturer they may be able to adjust your old set to become custom golf clubs.

Custom fitting won’t cure all your bad shots. Coaching will sort that out. But if you do make a good swing, then the custom golf club will arrive correctly at impact and should produce a straight shot at your target. That alone will save shots during a round.

Lastly, custom fitting is often free of charge. But it is usually on the condition that you buy some clubs once you’ve been fitted. So it really depends on what your budget is. If you’re prepared to buy a new set of clubs it’s definitely worth getting fitted.

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is an internet marketing advisor and co founder of Free Affiliate Programs

For more information and resource links on golf visit: Golf UK

The Secret Golf Tips For The Amateurs

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All the beginners at first feel frustrated playing this game. Really, looking at golf professionals we think, why, it’s so simple. I will learn to do it without big efforts’. But when you start, you understand that the game is rather complicated. This article is mainly devoted to the beginners, who need some good golf tips.

The First Experience

It may make you really upset. You are disappointed in your score, your putts are done badly, to put it mildly. You start to think you will never learn bunker play. Little by little, your mood is worsening, you lose sense of humor and, finally, you become so irritated that you want to swear out loud. Some mates who play with you may try to explain to you what is better to do. But such golf tips are not professional, and sometimes they are mutually contradictory. So, rely on yourself and start with following…

Some Golf Tips for the Beginners.

So, what to start with? No doubt, you need some good quality instruction at first. You should look for several instructors and talk to them. That is necessary, for you shouldn’t choose the first instructor you find, because his teaching style may not match your style of learning. That is why you need an opportunity to decide between two or more variants.

The next thing is attending series of lessons. One or two studies will not help. You need to practice under the direction of the instructor as long as possible. If you can’t afford it for this or that reason you may resort to self-education with the use of DVD’s and books, which also offer some useful golf tips. Nowadays there is also plenty information on how to learn to play golf on the Internet.

Appropriate equipment is also sufficient. First of all, it applies to the set of golf clubs you hit the ball with. You need different types of clubs for definite purposes during the game. The clubs should be qualitative and solid. It must be said, that a set of brand new clubs costs a lot, so you may buy some used clubs for the first time.

You should pay more attention to your pitching, putting and chipping than to the driver. And finally, you should have a mental game plan. It is important to realize that golf is a game where you should limit the amount of bad shots and enjoy the good ones.

In conclusion it should be said that following golf tips you are given will help you to determine your own counsel on how to play better. You will learn what you manage to do sumptuously and what your weak points are. You will be no more frustrated for you will know what exactly you should work on.

If you want to learn more about Golf including free information, reviews and much more, or you want to join our free weekly newsletter then please visit golf shops (Recommended) or for more free articles all about golf visit www.GolfShopReview.com/GolfShops

The Most Useful Golf Cart Accessory

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A golf cart was initially designed in order to carry players around the course. Nowadays, carts are becoming a very popular transport. With the help of a golf cart accessory, it can turn it into a stylish and quite a comfortable vehicle. As well as golf courses, they are widely used in university campuses, neighborhoods and during different kinds of events. Installing such accessories as lift kits, alloy wheels or racing-style steering wheel can transform an ordinary golf cart into a very interesting and useful thing.

The Golf Cart Concept

Basically it’s a small vehicle with three or four wheels. The first ones were designed to hold two passengers, but modern models may contain up to 8 men. Usually it’s powered by electric engines. Alternatively it can have internal combustion motor.

The important thing about using them is legality. Without a set of additional golf cart accessory, they are not street-legal. In order to use one in the street, the owner has to outfit the vehicle with brake lights, seatbelts, windshield and so on. In this case, the golf cart will be allowed to use on the street with a speed limit of 25-35 mph (depends on the area).

They are also very economic. It’s about ten times cheaper to drive and maintain a golf cart than a car. It’s very important since the gas price has recently risen immensely.

Now you see the real benfit of owning one for yourself. How to make it even better? Lots of manufacturers produce lines of these type of accessories. Continue reading, and you will learn about the most popular and useful ones.

Golf Cart Accessory

Among others, the most popular accessory is a lift kit. Lift kits increase the cart clearance and therefore enhances its cross-country ability. However, lift kit installation may break original alignments of the headlights.

Another useful thing is a golf cart cover, which protects the vehicle in harsh weather conditions. As a rule, you should cover the golf cart in rainy and snowy weather.

Ramps and towing, designed for golf carts, will help you to puck up the vehicle into a truck. This may help to transfer a cart between courses.

Windshields protect driver and passengers from wind, rain and balls that may accidentally rush by. It is recommended to buy polycarbonate windshield, as it’s stronger than a standard acrylic one.

Many accessories are designed just to make a cart look more impressive. This may be a wheel covers, racing-style pedals and steering wheel or even a hi-end stereo system.
Manufacturers’ imagination is infinite and thus may help you to upgrade your cart.

If you want to learn more about Golf including free information, reviews and much more, or you want to join our free weekly newsletter then please visit golf shops (Recommended) or for more free articles all about golf visit golf tips

How To Get A Perfect Golf Swing Every Time

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Golf is a difficult game to master and most golfers don’t have the time it takes to practice, practice, and practice to significantly improve. When you’re playing golf badly it isn’t a lot of fun. Even the guys who play golf for a living and get the best golf instruction in the world still struggle to improve their golf; and they practice each and every day!

Concentrate totally on your game and you’ll get the best score. The positive energy you send out will influence your game, just as negative thinking and therefore negative energy will affect it also. Golf requires tough mental fitness as well as physical fitness and is often overlooked.

Use the basic ‘hitchhiker’ position when you’re working on your backswing. Ask your golf pro to evaluate your posture while swinging. One of the problems that most inexperienced golfers share is they think too much about their swing.

Before you swing, make sure you’re relaxed; contract all your muscles tightly for a moment and then relax them. As the body matures, the ability to rotate the upper torso is affected by age, and the hand action can also slow down requiring a slightly stronger grip. Try not to grip the club too tightly.

Putting can become a nightmare and a condition called the ‘yips’ has affected not only amateurs but professionals as well; get expert advice and consider a golf swing aid. Putts and short chips are ideally played without much movement of the body, but most other golf shots are played using variants of the full golf swing.

At the end of a swing, the weight has shifted almost entirely to the left foot, the body is fully turned to the left and the hands are above the left shoulder with the club hanging down over the players’ back.

Swing slowly and steadily using a nice rhythm. At the end of a backswing the hands are above the right shoulder, with the golf club pointing more or less in the intended direction of ball flight.

Workouts with straight crunches won’t improve your swing or driving distance; concentrate on weighted rotational exercises instead. Using a weighted club, make rotational golf swings to improve your power. Once you understand that you can change your swing by using a simple technique, you’ll never underestimate golf fitness again.

Golf swing aids come in all shapes and sizes including apparel type accessories to correct alignment or a golf club add-on accessory to monitor your swing. There are golf swing aids that act as driving range simulators. Golf aids are often for sale at your pro shop or local golf shop.

Most of all don’t waste your money on a golf swing aid you don’t need or will never use. Sporting goods stores have golf aids to improve your game. Look for golf swing aids at your local golf course.

Golf magazines often review the newest golf swing aids and are reviewed by golfers, making it easy to choose the right one for you. Overall, investing in golf swing aids will greatly improve your golf swing and your golf game. If you’re looking for an aid to improve your stance they’re not hard to find.

Before buying any golf swing aid, check with an expert to get an idea of what problem you need to work on first; backlift of golf swing, momentum of downward thrust or stance for example. In any case, stick to just one golf swing aid at a time; don’t load up on them.

If you’ve hit with your golf driver perfectly once, you can do it every time. There are a lot of places to get golf swing tips, golf game tips and golf instruction so when you do have time to hit the course, you’ll have a plan in mind. Having a plan and working on specific aspects of the swing or game should be your goal.

For more information on golf swing improvement golf swing aids and golf swing fitness go to http://www.Best-Golf-Guide.com specializing in golf tips, help, advice, resources, and instruction including information on golf swing tips

Why The Target Technique Could Be Your Key To A Better Golf Swing!

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Achieving a better golf swing takes practice coupled with good technique. That sounds pretty simple doesn’t it? Trouble with most social golfers who aspire to a better game is by the time they get around to learning some golfing technique, they’ve reached a stage where they have consigned themselves to immortal mediocrity!

Are you in this category or are you just interested in achieving a better golf swing? Believe me I was in the former category at one stage and I know how most non-professional players are thinking. But do you know it didn’t really take much coaching to change my game around quickly and in the end, not only did I achieve a lower score but I saved myself walking an extra five miles around a golf course!

Better Golf Swing Techniques

Better technique is achieved through habit forming. What I mean by this is by committing the action of the swing to thought, continual practice of the technique will eventually be committed to memory and you’ll find in time, your natural instinct will be to play the club the correct way without thinking about the shot too much. When you’re on the course during a game however, your thought process should shift more on where you intend landing the ball.

One of the problems with most inexperienced golfers is they think too much about their swing. Standing over the ball and wondering whether you are going to swing the club correctly for too long a time will only delay the inevitable. A skewed shot, left or right or even worse, completely missing the ball. Embarassing!

Target Technique

A technique taught to me which had a profound effect in my achieveing a better golf swing was choosing a spot down the fairway where I wanted to land the ball and then trying to land as close to that spot as possible. I had to train my mind away from how I was going to swing the club and to say it wasn’t easy is an understatement. Eventually, after many hours of practice, I began to think more of where the ball was going to be hit than my swing technique and the transformation was enormous.

The aim of this technique was to get me concentrating more on the projection of the ball; in other words, it got me thinking ahead and took my thought away from my swing. Sometimes a golfer can try too hard and forget to relax. This method will teach you how to relax more instead of gripping the club handle too tightly wondering whether you will get enough backlift on your swing or whether the club head will connect with the ball cleanly.

It won’t happen overnight with this method however, with plenty of practice, a better golf swing should be the end result.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Do you want to develop a better golf swing? Then don’t play another shot until you read this report! Plus, get latest news and reviews in golf swing techniques at:http://www.golfinfoline.com

For the Love of Sports: A Guide to Teaching Golf

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Most people dream of having a career where they enjoy waking up every morning to go to work and are passionate about their job. In a perfect world, everyone would have the ideal job, however, that is not a reality for the vast majority of the population. But why can’t your job be what makes you happy? If an individual is passionate about a subject, they should look into pursuing it as a career. This is where teaching golf comes into play. Not only is it a sport that millions of Americans enjoy to play, but it also offers a wide range of employment opportunities that most people would never think of.

Golf has become more and more popular in the United States over the past few decades. Golf dates back all the way to before the 1400s when it was originated in parts of Europe. The concept of hitting a ball into a predetermined hole the least amount of times possible was played early in the Netherlands, Scotland and England. Everyone from royalty to peasants played this particular sport in Europe. The game of golf ventured over to the United States and made way for the United States Golf Association in 1894. Since then the sport has grown to become one of America’s favorite pastimes. With the popularity of golf growing the need for individuals to teach golf is growing as well.

With golfers such as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus inspiring the young and old alike, it is difficult not to become enthralled with the sport. Both newcomers to the sport and others who have taken a swing at the sport have a vested interest in learning different techniques to improve their golf game. This leaves a lot of room for professionals to step in to teach golf to amateurs. There are numerous ways to go about gaining the experience and proper credentials needed for teaching golf, attending a golf academy being one of them.

Becoming a student at a golf academy will not only provide you with the tools to teach golf, but it will also provide the necessary course work to obtain experience and skills in various fields pertinent to golf. Students will learn how to manage a golf course, repair golf clubs and run tournaments among other important talents. The typical course work includes teaching techniques, how to repair and fit golf clubs properly, the rules of the game, as well as tournament planning.

Students also learn skills that are needed for everyday life in the real world. Management and planning courses offer knowledge that can be used beyond the golf course and in typical day-to-day activities, as well as an office or managerial job. Teaching golf does not necessarily have to be a full time job. Students can attend an academy to learn the basics so they can teach on the side or use it for recreational purposes.

Students attending a golf academy benefit by not only improving their golf game, but they will walk away with a better understanding of the game. They are also given various teaching techniques to help relay the information they learned at the academy to golf students of their own. Learning how to play golf is one thing, but teaching golf and relaying the techniques needed to improve an individual’s golf game takes skill and patience. Teaching an individual how to play golf is not for everyone, but those who do have the special talent needed make a proud and rewarding living.

Andy West is a freelance writer for SDGA. San Diego Golf Academy is a premier golf school with five locations across the United States. To learn more about teaching golf, please visit http://www.sdgagolf.com .

Play at Work: Employment Options in the Golf Industry

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If you love to putt, you can combine work and play by getting a job in the golf industry. While many people never consider this as a potential job market unless they qualify for the PGA, the truth is that this niche field hires many thousands of people each year. The United States has more than 18,000 golf courses. Golf instruction schools, golf publications, speciality retailers, and speciality television channels all provide additional work in the golf industry as well.

There are many types of jobs in the golf industry. Some of these jobs are entrepreneurial. If you have a desire to run a business, you can lease or own golf courses or act as a general manager or owner of a speciality resort or hotel. You can also create a very profitable business by starting a golf industry retail operation or by selling golf merchandise. There is a huge market in novelties, clothing, and other items that golfers need. Inventing, designing, and selling these products are all great options for start-ups.

If you play an excellent game, you may become involved in instruction, either by teaching the game or by producing information products about the game. You can work in television, write a column, create books, or sell audio or videotapes that help others play well. You can even become a golf coach or golf recruiter, helping individuals to improve their game or helping schools uncover golfing talent while earning a living yourself.

If these options do not appeal to you, you may be interested in the service aspect of the golf industry. You can take one of the superintendent, manager, or other positions available at resorts, hotels, and golf courses. You can become a sales representative or the manager of a golf product line. You can become an assistant to golf professionals. There are also jobs for those who would enjoy grooming or maintaining greens and equipment.

The good news, obviously, is that there are many options for employment in the golf industry. Plus, when you choose employment in this field, you enjoy lots of possibilities for promotion. Many managers go on to own their own resorts, for example, and many instructors successfully publish their own books or informational products. In this field, there are always many opportunities to move up. Of course, you can also enjoy a good salary and enjoy spending time on golf as well.

This wealth of choices can also be a stumbling block, though, especially if you are not sure which jobs might suit you best. Before you start job-hunting, you may want to take stock. Carefully consider your golfing and job experiences to see whether there is a type of employment that is especially appropriate to your skills. Consider, too, whether you are willing to work around something you love. If you enjoy playing golf every weekend, decide if you really enjoy working on or near the green each day. Take careful stock of your long-term goals and plans before you decide.

Consider getting in touch with some professionals in the golf industry to ask them about their jobs. This will give you a chance to see what employment in this field is like. Casual interviews may even lead to unexpected job leads. Interviews with professionals in the field to ask about the profession can be a powerful way to tap into the hidden job market.

Consider, also, that you may need additional training or education in order to get some types of golfing jobs. If you want to sell retail products, for example, it may not be enough that you love the game. You may need to train in the art of selling, as well. Many of the well paying managerial and ownership jobs may require some business training. If you want to work at a resort or hotel, you may need a certificate in the hospitality industry to even be considered for a position. Again, speaking to someone already in the golf industry can be your best way to determine what you need in order to be successful in this field. With a little effort and a little ingenuity, you should be able to combine your love of golf with your need for a job.

Andy West is a writer for SDGA. San Diego Golf Academy is a premier golf school with five locations across the United States. To learn more about the golf industry, please visit http://www.sdgagolf.com/why_golf.php .

Finding Great Golf Jobs is No Longer Just a Dream

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If you love golf and have always wanted to work in the golfing industry, then your dreams may soon become a reality. Many may tell you that getting a job in the sports industry is a bit of a pipe dream, but that situation is quickly changing.

The explosion in popularity of the game of golf, led mostly by the popularity of Tiger Woods and the professional game, has led to a much greater number of available golf jobs. These days, getting into the golfing industry as a profession will only require you to do a little bit of research and put in the effort to make the necessary contacts.

Golf jobs can be separated into a couple of different categories. If you love to play the game, then you know all about the opportunities in teaching. Golf itself has a wide appeal because it is a recreational sport that can be played by all ages. As a true-life sport, folks can start playing the game at the age of four and continue throughout life, well into their eighties. In addition, golf offers both social and corporate opportunities.

As long as business people continue to entertain their clients on the links, golf jobs will continue to boom throughout the country.

In addition to the golf jobs that are associated with the recreational aspect of golf, the game offers opportunities to participate in the professional circuit. Recreational golf jobs would include those like golf pro, greens keeper, and any job loosely associated with the day-to-day operations of the course and golf club. These may appeal to those who like to be around the game on an everyday basis, but some people are looking for a little bit more out of their career. A job in professional golf would certainly offer that. It offers not only the ability to make a large amount of money, but also the ability to have upward mobility within the golfing industry.

One specific job in the industry that many people do not think about is the job of handing the personal business of the professional golfers. Whether as a manager or personal agent for the golfer, this job opportunity gives people who love the game a chance to be close to the game and work with the people that make it special. In this same realm, there is a growing interest in the field of public and media relations in dealing with golf.

While the past might not have offered the media exposure that could make this a great career, today’s golfers continually have to deal with the stresses of handling the press corps and a number of different interviews. As a golf public relations specialist, you can work either with the golfers or with the PGA of America in dealing with those things.

The question you might be asking is how you get into the golf industry. It is easier than you think. While the barrier to entry in the sports world is certainly high compared to other industries, golf offers a level of availability. It is essential to pick a specialty within the golf world and get the necessary training that would enable you to excel in one of those golf jobs.

There are special colleges and programs available for those who know that golf is their calling. Get the right knowledge and get to know people that have the right connections. With all of the excitement surrounding the industry today, opportunities have never been greater. Landing a great job within the industry is easy if you have the right skills.

Andy West is a freelance writer for SDGA. San Diego Golf Academy is a premier golf school with five locations across the United States. To learn more about obtaining a golf job, please visit http://www.sdgagolf.com .

Improve Your Golf Swing Forever

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When you’re playing golf badly it isn’t a lot of fun. If you’re like most golfers, you want to improve, not just hack around the golf course. Finding ways to improve your golf game, then applying what you’ve learned and practicing, is the number one way to get ahead of the game.

Overall, you generally want to play golf with confidence. Keep the good energy flowing and don’t give in to any negative thoughts. Golf requires tough mental fitness as well as physical fitness and is often overlooked.

Trust your golf club to do the job it was intended to do. It’s difficult for a golfer to practice hitting shots longer than short pitch shots unless one pays to play golf or pays to practice at a driving range or indoor golf training facility. The most important thing about the golf swing is the angle and not the strength that’s applied to it.

Use the basic ‘hitchhiker’ position when you’re working on your backswing. Try not to grip the club too tightly. The backswing is a rotation to the right, consisting of a shifting of the player’s body weight to the right side, a turning of the pelvis and shoulders, lifting of the arms and flexing of the elbows and wrists.

Putts and short chips are ideally played without much movement of the body, but most other golf shots are played using variants of the full golf swing. Use the muscles in your legs and trunk when you swing. Ask your golf pro to evaluate your posture while swinging.

Many golfers who are strongly left-handed in their daily life prefer the right-handed golf swing. When you swing if you have problems with your left knee buckling, imagine you’re holding a soccer ball between your knees.

To prevent injury and improve swing speed and distance requires your body to be both strong and flexible. Many golfers have improved their golf game by concentrating on golf fitness. Workouts with straight crunches won’t improve your swing or driving distance; concentrate on weighted rotational exercises instead.

Keep in mind that with some golf swing aids, you may still need advice or help from an expert. There are golf swing aids that act as driving range simulators. Golf magazines often review the newest golf swing aids and are reviewed by golfers, making it easy to choose the right one for you.

Be careful about the claims on TV commercials and magazine ads; seek expert advice before you buy because they may not live up to their claims. You can find golf swing aids that will help you with your wrist and arm position. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, pick just one golf swing aid and go to work on your swing.

If you’re looking for an aid to improve your stance they’re not hard to find. Make sure to look for reviews and ratings online for any golf swing aid you’re considering. Sporting goods stores have golf aids to improve your game.

Golf swing aids will improve your golf game. Golf swing aids come in all shapes and sizes including apparel type accessories to correct alignment or a golf club add-on accessory to monitor your swing.

If you’ve hit with your golf driver perfectly once, you can do it every time. If you apply both physical and mental workouts, golf swing improvement will be your reward. Take as many private lessons as you can afford with a good golf pro.

For more information on golf swing improvement golf swing aids and golf swing fitness go to http://www.Best-Golf-Guide.com specializing in golf tips, help, advice, resources, and instruction including information on golf swing tips

Proper Golf Swing Made Easy

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As we all know, golf is probably the most difficult sport in the world. Did you know the average golfer’s gross score is 107 shots? If you’re like most golfers, you want to improve, not just hack around the golf course.

Don’t worry about what others think or may say about your swing; work to improve it at your own speed. A common mental error golfers make when driving the ball is to hit it as hard as possible. If you’ve hit with your golf driver perfectly once, you can do it every time; the subconscious mind knows the correct number and sequence of muscle contractions and nerve impulses needed, called muscle memory.

Swing slowly and steadily using a nice rhythm. Ask your golf pro to evaluate your posture while swinging. It’s difficult for a golfer to practice hitting shots longer than short pitch shots unless one pays to play golf or pays to practice at a driving range or indoor golf training facility.

Many golfers who are strongly left-handed in their daily life prefer the right-handed golf swing. Trust your golf club to do the job it was intended to do. Putts and short chips are ideally played without much movement of the body, but most other golf shots are played using variants of the full golf swing.

Use the basic ‘hitchhiker’ position when you’re working on your backswing. Try not to grip the club too tightly. At the end of a backswing the hands are above the right shoulder, with the golf club pointing more or less in the intended direction of ball flight.

Putting can become a nightmare and a condition called the ‘yips’ has affected not only amateurs but professionals as well; get expert advice and consider a golf swing aid. The backswing is a rotation to the right, consisting of a shifting of the player’s body weight to the right side, a turning of the pelvis and shoulders, lifting of the arms and flexing of the elbows and wrists.

Using a weighted club, make rotational golf swings to improve your power. Once you understand that you can change your swing by using a simple technique, you’ll never underestimate golf fitness again. The state of the physical condition is very often overlooked as a possible cause of golf swing problems.

There are golf swing aids that will help you with swing alignment. There are golf swing aids that act as driving range simulators. You can find golf swing aids that will help you with your wrist and arm position.

If you’re looking for an aid to improve your stance they’re not hard to find. Sporting goods stores have golf aids to improve your game. Golf swing aids will improve your golf game.

Golf swing aids come in all shapes and sizes including apparel type accessories to correct alignment or a golf club add-on accessory to monitor your swing. Be careful about the claims on TV commercials and magazine ads; seek expert advice before you buy because they may not live up to their claims. There are a wide range of golf swing aids on the market today to help the beginning and advanced golfer.

Keep in mind that with some golf swing aids, you may still need advice or help from an expert. Golf swing aids can be found online and are often cheaper.

If you can, sit in on a friend’s golf lesson to see if you connect with the pro. If you apply both physical and mental workouts, golf swing improvement will be your reward. Take as many private lessons as you can afford with a good golf pro.

For more information on golf swing improvement golf swing aids and golf swing fitness go to http://www.Best-Golf-Guide.com specializing in golf tips, help, advice, resources, and instruction including information on golf swing tips

Golf Swing Charge | The Secret’s In Your Hands!

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Hold it Right - Without doubt, the golf grip is perhaps the single greatest challenge faced by the casual golfer. Your grip is your only point of contact with the club and unless you get it right you will be sorely challenged to improve your game. Yes! Proper Hand set-up is crucial for your stroke.

Proper Positioning - Firstly, you must ensure the club grip is ahead of the ball with the club grip initially in alignment with your leading hip. If you are a right-handed golfer, the left will be your leading hip. Switch if you are a leftie.

This positioning will ensure that the angle of the iron face is optimal for contact with the ball and for transference of the maximum amount of energy on impact. Grip more with Your Fingers - Proper positioning will also allow you to grip more with your fingers than with the palm of your hand.

Your result will be less tension, especially at the upper end of your swing arc. If you avoid the common mistake of griping the club too much in the palm of your hand, you will have much more power in your stroke. Power strokes come from relaxed muscles and by gripping more with the fingers you will enjoy more dexterity in controlling the club and more refinement in your feel.

The More Relaxed the Better - Sometimes, when we are anxious about a shot, we can squeeze just that little bit too hard. Tension is insidious and before you know, it can creep up your arms and into your shoulders. Unhappily, this can result in the overuse of certain muscles and the overall action of your swing is not as relaxed or effective.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the hardest you can comfortably grip, aim for a normal grip pressure of about 5 or 6. A more relaxed grip will give you a faster club head speed on impact and you can look forward to enjoying those awesome long drives.

A Yoga Trick for You - You can more easily maintain a state of focused relaxation by taking long slow deep breaths as you set up. Breathe in and out through your nose with the tip of your tongue pressed against the roof of your mouth (a yoga trick). This automatically cultivates your body’s natural relaxation response and you will be surprised at how much greater ease you enjoy in your swing.

Choose Your Grip Type - In order of popularity, there are 3 common grip types: Overlapping, Interlocking, and Ten Finger (a.k.a. the baseball grip).

** In the overlapping grip, you place the little finger of your trailing hand between the index and second finger of your lead hand. Rest the lead hand thumb in the lifeline of the trailing hand.

** With the interlocking grip, hook the little finger of your the trailing hand under and around the index finger on the lead hand. Tuck the lead hand thumb in the lifeline of the trailing hand.

** The ten finger grip is as it sounds, with 10 fingers in perfect contact with the handle. Grip the club with the lead hand and position your trailing hand so that your little finger is right smack against the index finger of the lead hand. Tuck the lead hand thumb under the lifeline of the trailing hand.

Listen to Your Body - Everyone’s different, so you should experiment, to find the most effective grip-type for you. You should always seek optimal comfort and listen to the natural intelligence of your own body when discovering what’s best for you.

No mater which grip type you prefer, watch that the V.s of both hands (formed by the index finger and the thumb) point between the chin and the right shoulder. If you look down at your grip, the knuckles of the index and middle finger of your lead hand should be clearly visible. Finally, check that your grip is properly aligned with the clubface and rotate the shaft to make any necessary corrections.

Good Wrist Action - is the automatic result of a good grip. Your wrists can move in two directions during the golf swing. Forward/ backward motion in the direction of the swing is known as “breaking”. “Hinging” refers to the upwards/downwards motion.

Your goal is to eliminate breaking at all costs and to naturally create the proper hinging action as a result of proper grip. It’s simple! If you ensure the back of your lead hand remains flat with respect to the back of your leading forearm, the proper hinging action will effortlessly and automatically result.

A Great Foundation - Your grip is your foundation to a great game of golf. So remember to position your club correctly and start with the club grip ahead of the ball. Cultivate a relaxed feel in your grip and enjoy the natural “chill” response from breathing properly. Choose the grip type that’s right for you. Watch your Vs and enjoy effortlessly good wrist action. Remember, your game is all about fun and relaxation and with these simple pointers you can look forward to many days of enhanced driving pleasure on the fairway.

Aidan Sugrue is a Golf Enthusiast and creator of Hot Golf Secrets the Internet’s hottest free resource for free golf tips. If you would like to turbo-charge your game then go to Hot Golf Secrets now and Claim Your free golf tips and start having more fun on the fairway today!

Finding Super Golf Swing Tips That Work

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Yes it’s hard to believe but there are more than 27 million golfers in the world today. It’s important to remember, your golf swing is what drives your score; not your clubs or ball. Many golfers play golf just to hack around and have some fun; more avid players are always looking for ways to improve their golf swing and their overall game.

It’s been proven that thinking positively about bettering your golf game will benefit you more than playing to compete with your partners and trying to win for winnings sake. Visualize where you would like the ball to land, as you swing. Overall, you generally want to play golf with confidence.

Swing slowly and steadily using a nice rhythm. Trust your golf club to do the job it was intended to do. Accomplished golfers purposely use sidespin to steer their ball around obstacles or towards the safe side of fairways and greens. When you swing if you have problems with your left knee buckling, imagine you’re holding a soccer ball between your knees.

The backswing is a rotation to the right, consisting of a shifting of the player’s body weight to the right side, a turning of the pelvis and shoulders, lifting of the arms and flexing of the elbows and wrists. As the body matures, the ability to rotate the upper torso is affected by age, and the hand action can also slow down requiring a slightly stronger grip.

Sidespin occurs when the clubface is not aligned perpendicularly to the plane of swing. Use the basic ‘hitchhiker’ position when you’re working on your backswing. Before you swing, make sure you’re relaxed; contract all your muscles tightly for a moment and then relax them.

Make sure to use the proper technique. At the end of a swing, the weight has shifted almost entirely to the left foot, the body is fully turned to the left and the hands are above the left shoulder with the club hanging down over the players’ back.

Once you understand that you can change your swing by using a simple technique, you’ll never underestimate golf fitness again. You can get rid of shoulder problems with some simple techniques. It’s no secret; most of the professional players actively participate in workouts.

Ask an expert, who is not associated with the shop you would buy your golf swing aid from, for advice on the right aid for you. Most of all don’t waste your money on a golf swing aid you don’t need or will never use. Be careful about the claims on TV commercials and magazine ads; seek expert advice before you buy because they may not live up to their claims.

Golf swing aids can be found online and are often cheaper. If you’re looking for an aid to improve your stance they’re not hard to find. There are a wide range of golf swing aids on the market today to help the beginning and advanced golfer.

Keep in mind that with some golf swing aids, you may still need advice or help from an expert. Overall, investing in golf swing aids will greatly improve your golf swing and your golf game. Golf swing aids come in all shapes and sizes including apparel type accessories to correct alignment or a golf club add-on accessory to monitor your swing.

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, pick just one golf swing aid and go to work on your swing. You can find golf swing aids that will help you with your wrist and arm position.

Get some golf DVDs and commit yourself to a time to practice what you learn. Take as many private lessons as you can afford with a good golf pro. Golfers can never get enough golf tips.

For more information on golf swing improvement golf swing aids and golf swing fitness go to http://www.Best-Golf-Guide.com specializing in golf tips, help, advice, resources, and instruction including information on golf swing tips

Mastering The Proper Golf Swing The Easy Way

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Did you know the average golfer’s gross score is 107 shots? You may receive all the greatest golf tips in the world, take countless lessons and get superior instruction and still may not be able to gain consistency. Even the guys who play golf for a living and get the best golf instruction in the world still struggle to improve their golf; and they practice each and every day!

Visualize where you would like the ball to land, as you swing. Keep the good energy flowing and don’t give in to any negative thoughts. A common mental error golfers make when driving the ball is to hit it as hard as possible.

Putting can become a nightmare and a condition called the ‘yips’ has affected not only amateurs but professionals as well; get expert advice and consider a golf swing aid. Use the basic ‘hitchhiker’ position when you’re working on your backswing. Before you swing, make sure you’re relaxed; contract all your muscles tightly for a moment and then relax them.

Swing slowly and steadily using a nice rhythm. After the ball is hit, the follow-through stage consists of a continued rotation to the left. Pick out a spot on the course, preferably the green of the fairway, and concentrate on hitting the ball to that spot.

The backswing is a rotation to the right, consisting of a shifting of the player’s body weight to the right side, a turning of the pelvis and shoulders, lifting of the arms and flexing of the elbows and wrists. As the body matures, the ability to rotate the upper torso is affected by age, and the hand action can also slow down requiring a slightly stronger grip.

Ask your golf pro to evaluate your posture while swinging. Try not to grip the club too tightly. Use the muscles in your legs and trunk when you swing.

Conditioning your golf muscles will reward you with straighter swings. Many golfers have improved their golf game by concentrating on golf fitness. Using a weighted club, make rotational golf swings to improve your power.

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, pick just one golf swing aid and go to work on your swing. There are golf swing aids that will help you with swing alignment. Keep in mind that with some golf swing aids, you may still need advice or help from an expert.

Golf swing aids come in all shapes and sizes including apparel type accessories to correct alignment or a golf club add-on accessory to monitor your swing. If you’re looking for an aid to improve your stance they’re not hard to find. Golf magazines often review the newest golf swing aids and are reviewed by golfers, making it easy to choose the right one for you.

You can find golf swing aids that will help you with your wrist and arm position. There are a wide range of golf swing aids on the market today to help the beginning and advanced golfer. If you’re a golfing novice just starting out, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

There are a number of good golf swing aids on the market today. Before buying any golf swing aid, check with an expert to get an idea of what problem you need to work on first; backlift of golf swing, momentum of downward thrust, or stance for example.

Golfers can never get enough golf tips. Invest in a few of the newest golf books and golf ebooks; older golf books may be outdated. There are hundreds of useful golf tips to seek out in golf magazines, consumer magazines, sports magazines, in books, ebooks, DVDs, online and offline.

For more information on golf swing improvement golf swing aids and golf swing fitness go to http://www.Best-Golf-Guide.com specializing in golf tips, help, advice, resources, and instruction including information on golf swing tips

How To Stop Slicing Your Golf Shot!

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Not much has changed in the game of golf during the last 30 years as far as the basic golf swing is concerned. Early on, the golf slice was dominating my game and was one area I really wanted to improve. I ran across an old training video produced in the 1960’s recently and the same advice beginners are receiving today was being dished out then!

It was the same video I was given to watch and yes, the advice virtually helped me eliminate the golf slice from my game. You see, the basic golf swing is a simple procedure which doesn’t need to be re-invented. It’s stood the test of time and will continue to do so. Let’s try and eliminate the golf slice from your game!

Basic Golf Swing Etiquette

The stance and the golf club grip are the two important elements in correcting the golf slice. Get one or both of these wrong and you’ll be forever searching for your ball in the bushes or even having to venture onto the adjacent green to play your next shot.

The Stance

It’s pretty simple but it’s an area beginners have trouble getting right. There’s no magic formula to achieving a proper stance. In practice, make a mental picture of your target and where you want the ball to land. Your shoulders should be in alignment with your target.

Footwork is crucial but it’s simple. For right handers,the right foot points straight ahead and the left foot is deviated slightly to the left. For left handers, it’s left foot straight ahead and right foot slightly to the right. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

The Swing And Grip

Grip the club too tightly and you’ll more than likely hook the ball. Grip it too loosely and you’ll slice it. You need to find a happy medium between the two. This is where the practice range is handy.

The club grip is important but many golfers seem to want to improvise thinking they’ve got it right. As mentioned before, not a lot has changed in basic golf swing technique so don’t try and re-invent the wheel. The club grip is simply gripping the club with your left hand and placing the thumb along the shaft while placing your right hand over your left with the left thumb nestled in the palm of your right hand. The reverse applies for left handers. That’s it!

It’s a good idea to go through the club grip with a mentor; perhaps an experienced golfer at your local club or even a playing partner. Ask them to watch you go through the motions and point out any deviation from the correct process. Golf is a game of getting into good habits and once you do, you’ll be amazed at how natural the process is.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice the stance and grip until it feels natural. Combining it with the basic golf swing will complete the process. Continued practice will help you lower your score. The amazing aspect about golf during the learning phase is how quickly you can get your score down in the initial stages simply by applying the correct swing, stance and grip techniques.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Lessen the risk of the dreaded golf slice guaranteed with these basic golf swing tips!Then don’t play another shot until you read this report! Plus, get latest news and reviews in golf swing techniques at:http://www.golfinfoline.com

The Three Most Important Factors When Perfecting Your Golf Swing

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There are prior factors and there are post factors in a golf swing. Let me call upon a scientific formula to help explain this order of importance that I am discussing. The formula reads as follows:

Ultimate results depend on post factor efficiency.

These seven words succinctly describe the artistry of a golf swing; there are things to do, but there is a certain time to do them.

First the golfer must handle his weight; but shifting the weight from one foot to the other does nothing of itself, it only places the player in a position where he can use and utilize his body correctly.

Secondly, only when the golfer has the basic or prior footwork so that he is in a position to use his body to swing the club, are the hands free to exert over the club the proper sense of position and control, and the ability to apply the club correctly to the ball. In other words, a golf shot only flies as the club makes it fly, and how the ball flies is a direct result of the club position. The club position is a direct result of what the hands are doing, and what the hands are doing is the post factor that determines ultimate efficiency.

No wonder so much time and effort is concentrated on the correct grip in golf.

I have often said that a runner runs with his feet, but a golfer golfs with his hands. Of course, for the runner to get his feet in action, there is a lot of arm and shoulder work, and for a golfer to get his hands working, there is a lot of footwork and body action.

To repeat, there are three basic factors in golf:

Footwork, for balance
Body action, for power
Hand action, for club control

But to these three factors there is an order of importance, a delicate sense of timing that so many golfers miss. They fail to get the knack of properly coordinating these three factors into a working arrangement.

As there is a certain order of importance, so likewise there is a certain order of performance in these three basic operations of a golf swing. In other words, in the properly executed golf shot the player moves smoothly from one operation to the other, but all operations function collectively towards the final goal of applying the club to the ball. So there is in the golf shot an order of importance and an order of performance which precludes any such thing as a one-piece swing. Be prepared to reach your ultimate goal of a smooth, flowing performance through a natural step-by-step procedure rather than through any short cut.

The other comment I wish to make is that if there is error in the performance of any operation in the swing, then such an error would multiply and increase as it would be carried on into the next operation. So there must be sure performance in the execution of each of the three factors.

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The Young Tiger Woods

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They’ve taken to calling Tiger Woods the “chosen one” and why not? At the relatively young age of 29, he has already put together a resume that can be compared favorably with the many all time greats of the sport . In 2005, he captured his 10th major golf championship, a total that puts him fourth place in history in the most championships won behind Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. And to think that he has probably not even reached the half-way point of his very incredible golf career.

Among today’s crop of golf professionals, Tiger Woods is the only one to rank among the list of the top 20 major championship winners of all time, a strong indicator of his dominance in today’s world of golf. Culturally, Woods is credited with creating a much renewed interest and participation in golf, not only in the United States but also worldwide.

So far, his life has unfolded like a fairy-tale movie. Why, even if it is only his life before the age of 20 that you consider, the movie would already be pretty good.

Consider the following.

Born on December 30, 1975, Eldrick “Tiger” Woods’ early beginnings are well-chronicled by now. At just four months old, Woods guested on the Mike Douglas TV show to display his golf skills and his surprisingly natural golf swing. In 1984, he won his first world golf championship — the 9-10 Boys Event of the Junior World Golf Championships — at the age of eight. He went on to win the Junior World Golf Championships six times, including four consecutive wins from 1988-1991.
Woods continued with his incredible winning ways in the U.S.Junior Amateur Championships, which he won in 1991, 1992, and 1993 and he remains as the event’s youngest-ever winner. He then went on to become the only person to win the U.S. Amateur Championship three straight years. He won his first amateur in 1994 fresh out of high school, thereby also becoming the youngest to ever win the event. Before he reached the age of 20, Woods had won the USGA Championships five times. Many believe that he has already compiled the best ever under-20 career in golf history.

From there, Woods went to Stanford University for two years, won one NCAA individual championship and then left college to pursue his professional golf career. And after that, the rest, as they say, is history.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Golf, Golf Central, and For the love of Games

Three Steps for a Productive Golf Lesson

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It’s been many months now of weekly practice our there on the golf course taking shot after shot. Unfortunately you still haven’t improved your handicap. Your short game is hopeless, driving inaccurate and you just can’t sink a putt to save your life. What do you do? You decide to take a golf lesson or two.

There are three main points that you need to take into consideration when it comes to choosing and getting the most out of your golf lessons. One, the choice of instructor, two coming prepared to the lesson and three, the expectations you must have of yourself after each lesson is finished.

Instructor

Your golf lesson is a valuable investment of your time, energy and hard earned money. Therefore, the first step towards getting the most out of your golf lesson is locating and working with the right instructor. The pro at the golf shop may not necessarily be the right coach for you. Ask your fellow golfers for recommendations on who they may have heard is a good instructor or who they have personally used for a golf lesson.

The next step is to find an instructor whose qualifications match your current level of play. In other words, you don’t need a highly qualified instructor to teach you the basics of golfing.

In addition, to gain the optimum benefits of your golf lesson, it is important that you are comfortable with your instructor’s personality and style of teaching. A good personality and teaching style should consist of encouragement, patience and the challenging of the student in a positive manner.

Finally, on choosing your instructor, make sure that the length of their availability matches the number of lessons you wish to take. There is nothing worse than going through this process, being comfortable with the instructor and then finding out that they are not available after the second or third lesson.

Preparation

It is highly important that you come to each one of your lessons with a series of questions prepared. Take note after each round of the things you need the most help with. Take a scrapbook and jot down after every misplaced shot what exactly you did with your swing and how you felt when you played the stroke.

It is extremely important that you practice everything you have been taught in between golf lesson sessions. This means that every time you go to a range or play out on a course you are constantly applying what you have been taught for every shot you make. Don’t just think that by going to a few lessons, you will automatically start to play better.

Finally, make sure that you are mentally prepared for the lesson to be given. Have all of your needed tools and equipment with you and remember that what we generally get out of something is in proportion to what we give.

Your Own Expectations

At the conclusion of each lesson you should have reached some sort of goal or expectation that you had of yourself. Whether this means you found the answers to every one of the questions you had for your instructor or maybe you hit further than you’ve ever hit before. Whatever it is, just make sure you know beforehand so you have something to strive for.

Constantly ask you instructor for feedback and make sure you tell him/her to be blunt with you right from the very beginning. Constructive criticism is very important if you want to see vast improvements in your game.

Also, expect assignments and practice techniques that can be implemented to correct certain aspects of your golf game. Follow through on these assignments and practice these techniques as often as possible knowing that it is in practice we improve the skill level.

Dane Stanton is the owner of GolfShopReview.com which is an extensive review of the top Online Golf Shops on the internet. Find which course is best for you and your Game! http://www.GolfShopReview.com

Four Useful Tips For Improving Your Golf Game

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There is nothing quite like the feeling of striking a golf ball right out of the sweet spot and sending it sailing right down the middle of the fairway into
a perfect position for the next shot. However, these aspects to the game of golf do not just happen. There is a process to improving you golf game and unfortunately it’s not an easy one. Here are some helpful tips you can use to improve your game or at least start you in the right direction.

Goals

As with anything else it is important to have goals and your golf game is no different. Obviously, the overall goal is to improve your entire golf game.
However, consider breaking down that overall goal into sub goals.

For example concentrate on a particular aspect of your golf game such as your drive, putting, hitting from a sand trap, etc. In addition, make your goals challenging yet achievable. For example, when on the driving range, concentrate one session on distance and another session on correcting that “slice” you may have. Challenge yourself in these sessions and when your drive goes 10 feet further or you only “slice” the ball twice, reward your efforts and achievements.

Equipment

The right equipment is always something that the best golfers have at their disposal. A good set of clubs goes a long way to improving your overall game and not just technically. A good set of clubs will give you a great deal more confidence when playing every stroke. After all confidence is one of the most important assets to have as golf is mostly a psychological game anyway.

Having a good pair of golf shoes will also help your golf game dramatically. They usually contain studded soles which helps for balance which then intern increases the accuracy of your shots.

Practice

Practice, practice, practice is an integral part of being successful in any endeavor. Improvements in your golf game will benefit from as much practice as you can provide.

It goes without saying that sessions on the driving range and putting greens can be very valuable in lowering your handicap and taking strokes off of your game. Also, it is helpful in practicing your golf game to watch other golfers as they practice and play.

Attitude

Attitude goes along way in improving your golf game. You will find that the best golfers are generally good businessmen. Why is this? Because in business you are taught that a setback must be learnt from and you can’t beat yourself up about it. This is exactly the same in golf as when you have a bad shot, the only this to do is the think about how your are going to play the next one. It’s important to learn from your mistakes but not to dawdle on them.

Dane Stanton is the owner of GolfShopReview.com which is an extensive review of the top Online Golf Shops on the internet. Find which course is best for you and your Game! http://www.GolfShopReview.com

Golf Instruction 101

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The game of golf is much harder than people give it credit for. Looking on the surface, you wouldn’t think that a game where you’re required to hit a ball into a hole would need any sort of skill. If this is what you thought than I guarantee you are mistaken.

Before you can run you first need to learn how to walk. The “walking” of golf instruction includes three fundamentals of the game. Three areas of golf instruction 101 include the basic fundamentals, equipment and etiquette.

The Basic Fundamentals

The basic fundamental of golf instruction is to hit a golf ball with a golf club towards a hole that is located hundreds of feet away with the purpose of putting the golf ball into the hole. Being a competitive sport the number of times you strike or attempt to strike the ball is counted as one-stroke.

The strokes are kept track of by the individual golfer and recorded on the scorecard at the end of each hole. Generally, golfers play 18 holes and the golfer with the least amount of strokes recorded is declared the winner.

Golf instruction states play starts at the first hole with the first player hitting the ball as far as they can towards the first pin. The next player then takes their turn and so forth. When each member of the group is finished they proceed to the point where their golf ball has landed and repeat the process.

The player who has their ball furthest away from the pin is required to play first. This includes play on the fairway and on the green.

Play then continues on to the second tee where the process is repeated. The player who begins the next round is that player who took the least amount of shots to sink the golf ball into the hole.

Equipment

The basics of golf instruction 101 are that in order to play the game a player needs basic equipment. That equipment includes golf clubs and bag, golf balls, and tees. Generally the golf clubs consist of a couple of drivers, irons and a putter.

The driver is generally used on par 4 and par 5 holes where distance is required. The contact portion of the driver is flat in nature. The irons are numbered from two to nine with the contact area varying at different angles. The nine irons are designed with the greatest angle.

Golf instruction also requires standardization. Therefore, the golf ball must weigh 1.62 ounces, be circular in shape and be no larger than 1.68 inches in diameter. Generally, the balls are marked with a brand name and number so that there is no confusion as to which player is playing which ball.

The golf tee can be made of various materials including wood and plastic. Golf tees are basically miniature platforms for the golf ball when teeing off. One end of the tee is spike like and is put into the ground with the other end of the tee shaped like a small platform to hold the golf ball.

Golfing Etiquette

Any golf instruction should include the basics of golfing etiquette. Golfing etiquette, as part of a golf and has always been since its birth many years ago. It should be the first instruction taught in golf for every new beginner starting the game.

Two basic rules of golfing etiquette include allowing players behind you to play through. Perhaps there are four players who are ready to tee off and a golfing party of two arrives at the same time or the team of four is delayed on the fairway for whatever reason. Golfing etiquette suggests that the two players be allowed to play through or play ahead of the team consisting of four. This courtesy allows for the smaller team’s play not to be held up.

The second rule of etiquette requires players to make sure that other players in front of them are safely far enough away so that they are not in any danger of being struck by their ball. If however you decide to take a shot and their is a chance that ball ball may hit a player in front of you, you must call out “fore” so that they are given the chance to duck for cover.

Dane Stanton is the owner of GolfShopReview.com which is an extensive review of the top Online Golf Shops on the internet. Find which course is best for you and your Game! http://www.GolfShopReview.com

Analyzing the Four Components of Your Golf Swing

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Golf is known as being one of the most relaxing sports or pastimes known to man, as it gives you an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the sun and fresh air, as well as providing you with a good opportunity to get some exercise. There is another side to golf however and that is that it is a serious sport that many people play competitively and in some cases for vast amount of money. Therefore it is important for those people to improve their golf swing as much as possible.

Stance

Everything built well begins with a solid foundation. Your golf swing is no different. Therefore, when beginning to analyze your golf swing start by focusing on your stance.

With golf club in hand take your normal stance and approach the ball as if you are going to take your swing. Then lay your driver down so that the shaft is touching the toes of your left and right shoe. This will reveal the direction of your feet in relationship to the pin that you are driving the ball towards.

If the golf club is not directly pointing towards the pin or your target adjust the shaft of the club accordingly. Then reposition your feet so that the toes are touching the shaft of the club.

The next part of your stance addresses your shoulders and hips. They too should be completely in-line or parallel with the golf club lying at your feet.

With this in mind, pick up your golf club and practice a few swings keeping your shoulders and hips parallel to that imaginary line there at the base of your toes. Your golf swing should always reflect this rule of being parallel to the imaginary line directed towards your target.

Swing

The second step in analyzing your golf swing is taking note of the swing itself. Of particular help may be the assistance of a golfing partner to help you with the analyzing of your form. Another option would be to video yourself and watch your golf swing in slow motion. Most professionals do this after every tournament they compete in.

The first thing to look at for your golf swing, is you backswing. This is the first phase of your swing so the actual start of the swing should be even in nature and fluid. Additionally, while your club is on the backward portion of the swing and overhead, hesitate for a very slight moment.

Following that slight hesitation let your downward golf swing flow in the same even nature towards the ball. It is important to remember that speed and forcefulness are not characteristics of a good golf swing.

Additionally, take note of your downward golf swing beginning from this upward position. Do you keep your wrists straight or is there a hint of wrist movement? It is recommended that the movement of the wrists should take place just as the golf club is horizontal to the ground.

Contact

Thirdly and most importantly, in analyzing your golf swing, when your club makes contact with the golf ball it is important to remember that you are not playing baseball. This means that the power to drive the golf ball should not be drawn from your arms and shoulders. The drive given to the ball should be drawn from your entire upper body as well as your legs, so therefore momentum should be the biggest driving force. Also, remember to follow the path of your golf club that was lying at your feet to position your stance. Your golf swing should stay parallel with the shaft of that club that was directed towards your target.

Follow Through

The last critical element in analyzing your golf swing is swinging through the drive. It is important when you have made contact with the ball that you continue for an additional five to six inches following in parallel the imaginary path of the golf club laying on the ground.

Finally, complete the swing with that same fluid motion bringing the golf club to the opposite side of the body and above the head. When this is completed you should be standing front on and facing the direction of which your ball is heading. Good luck!

Dane Stanton is the owner of GolfShopReview.com which is an extensive review of the top Online Golf Shops on the internet. Find which course is best for you and your Game! http://www.GolfShopReview.com

Buying The Best Golf Club Set

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What should you look for in a set of golf clubs? How do I know which set is best for me and my current abilities? What about getting clubs custom made for my size and level of strength? These are just some of the questions you should be asking yourself before you decide to go out and buy a new set of golf clubs. After all this can mean the difference between seeing an improvement in your game or indeed a decline. Which one would you prefer?

Golf Clubs - Woods

How do you know which type of would you need for your game? Well if you are a beginner to the game of golf, you need to look for woods that have a more flat face. The reason for this is because a flat face will increase the likelihood of your ball going straighter down the fairway. This however will also mean that you will be sacrificing distance for overall accuracy. If you have been playing for quite some time now, a better option would be finding a wood that is more curved and therefore has a stronger “sweet spot”. This will increase the distance of your shots, but reduce the accuracy.

Golf Clubs - The Driver

Should I use the driver for all of my tee shots on par 4’s and par 5’s? For a beginner, having a type of golf club like the driver in your bag usually in more of a hindrance than a help. Why? Because when starting out in golf people should focus more on accuracy than overall distance. Just because you can drive 300 yards doesn’t mean you should do it all the time. Beginners should start by using the 5 or 3 wood initially for all their drives as they tend to be more accurate. Take this into consideration next time you head down for a round at your local golf club.

Golf Clubs - Irons

How can I tell the difference between a good iron and a bad one? There are two main things you should look for in an iron. One, the amount of grooves on the face and two, the size of the sweet spot on the back of the face. The amount of grooves on the face will determine the level of spin you are able to produce. Some golfers prefer to have less grooves because they feel they can get more distance, but I prefer to choose control above anything else. In actual fact you should not have to worry about distance so much so because if you find a set of golf clubs that contain a strong and central sweet spot, this will be an automatic thing.

Golf Clubs - The Putter

There are three different types of putters: the normal grip putter, the belly putter and the broomstick putter. Most people tend to go for the normal putter as this is the most easiest to learn initially. However many people who have learnt how to use the belly putter and the broomstick putter have had much success. The only thing that matters is “what works best for you”. Try testing them all out. You never know, it might be the missing ingredient in your game!

Dane Stanton is the owner of GolfShopReview.com which is an extensive review of the top Online Golf Shops on the internet. Find which course is best for you and your Game! http://www.GolfShopReview.com

Michelle Wie is the Real Deal

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Golfer Michelle Wie has gained worldwide attention for her attempts to compete in the men’s PGA Tour, about how she has come so close (one stroke short of qualifying for the 2004 PGA Tour Sony Open) yet never quite made the cut. .But let’s not forget that she also deserves our attention for her outstanding golf prowess and for her remarkable accomplishments to date. She may not yet have what it takes to compete with the big boys, but Michelle Wie is the real deal.

Witness the amazing records that the 16-year-old prodigy has set in such a short time: youngest player ever to qualify for an adult USGA-sanctioned tournament -age 10 years, 9 months, 24 days (2000 Women’s U.S. Amateur Public Links); youngest player ever to qualify for an LPGA tournament - age 12 (2002 LPGA Takefuji Classic); The youngest winner (male or female) of an adult USGA-sanctioned tournament - age 13 (2003 Women’s U.S. Amateur Public Links); youngest player to make a cut in an LPGA tournament and major - age 13 (2003 Nabisco Championship); youngest player to play in a PGA Tour event - age 14 (2004 Sony Open);lowest round by a female in a PGA Tour event (also the first female to score a sub-70 round in PGA Tour history) - 68 (2004 & 2006 Sony Open)l youngest player to play in Curtis Cup history - age 14 (2004); youngest female to make a cut in any professional male tour event - age 16 (2006 SK Telecom Open); first female medalist in a men’s US Open qualifying tournament - age 16 (2006 US Open Local Qualifying at Turtle Bay Hawaii).

Wie was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 11, 1989 and is of Korean descent. Like most great golfers, she began playing the game of golf almost as soon as she could get around on her own two feet, at age four. At age 10, she shot a personal-best 64 in 18 holes at the 5,400-yard Olomana Golf Links, one of Hawaii’s most difficult courses. That year (1999), she became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship and also advanced into match play at the Women’s U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship using her grandmother’s clubs.

Clearly, Wie has already accomplished much, but the general consensus is that the world has yet to see the best that Michelle Wie has to offer.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Golf, Sports, and Travel

Tips To Improve Your Golf Swing

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If there is one constant among non professional golfers it’s the desire to continually work on methods and techniques to improve their game. Golf is unique in the fact that yes, you do pit your skills against other players whether during competition or a social game but think about it; who are you really competing against? Yourself, of course.

If you want to shave strokes of your game, seek help to improve your golf swing. It’s an area many neglect too often, getting into bad habits from the beginning and then wondering why they can’t get off their 32 handicap.

Improve Your Golf Swing Through Coaching

Enlisting the services of a coach is a sensible approach to take if you are really serious about “knocking” several strokes off your score. A coach will not only teach you the proper technique including follow through, back lift, stance and handle grip but will analyse your every move, how you stand over a ball, what club to use for different occasions and generally pick up on any deficiencies you have. In fact, having someone watching you closely and determining your strengths and weaknesses is so vital in the overall scheme of things that it can’t be understated.

There are few golfers who possess the perfect game; that is, they are faultless in all facets of golf. But there are a multitude of golfers who for some reason excel in certain areas and this more often than not will compensate for any deficiencies they may have elsewhere. When a coach identifies where you’re strongest and where you’re weakest then you can get to work in capitalizing on your strengths and improving your weaknesses.

Hiring a coach to improve your social game or teach you techniques to improve your golf swing during your initial foray into the sport doesn’t need to last forever. In fact, for a three month coaching period, you should have a basic idea of what’s required and then it’s a matter of hitting the driving range and putting into practice what you have been taught. If there are times you feel you may not be doing something right then a quick refresher course from your coach is all that is required.

It’s amazing how many times I’ve heard golfers say they should have got the coaching when they first took up golf. Trouble for many non-professionals is that many will play the game first time on an invitation from a group of friends and before they know it, they become regular members for a weekly social hit out. Unless the rest of the group are proficient at the game, this will do nothing to improve your golf swing. Taking the next step and receiving some coaching; it doesn’t take much, will see you improve your game signifcantly during the early stages. From there, depending on your level of committment, you’ll either progress and join club competition or you will just be happy to hit a round or two a week with your mates. Obviously this all depends on the addiction factor…what’s that you ask? well, it’s something left for another article…stay tuned!

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster.Get the latest tips on how toimprove your golf swingby visiting:http://www.golfinfoline.com

Pros Secrets To Play Better Golf

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Golf is a sport that is enjoyed by millions of people every day all over the world. For many years, men, women and children have taken part in the sport of Golf. There are professional golfers and not-so-professional golfers. There are expert golfers, intermediate golfers and beginners. No matter what level of golf we play, we all want to improve our golf game. The first step to propelling yourself towards competing with golf professionals is to learn and apply some specific principles of the game.

The Principles of golf

What principles do I mean? Well these principles include a variety of areas, such as mental attitude, swing, and determination. Next, how much you are willing to practice? Why not start with the principle of developing a routine? As with anything in life, golf requires diligent application to master. It is suggested that you play golf a minimum of two times weekly. In order to get the most out of the sport of golf, four times weekly is best. This may seem like a lot, but keep in mind that it is a game you love and want to improve. Remember the old saying,

Practice Makes Perfect ….

Well, it applies to golf, too.

Change your Attitude Man!

Your mental attitude can literally make or break your golf game. You may be wondering at this very moment, why more people do not play better golf. After all, the game of golf is simple in concept, a ball on the ground, a club in your hand and other golfers watching quietly while you hit the ball. What is the big deal, right? Well, the main reason a golfer continually has a high game has to do with their mental attitude. In order play a better game, it is necessary to start from the beginning with a positive attitude. Beat the game, do not let it beat you.

Have you heard the stories of golfers throwing their clubs when a shot does not go the way they planned? I sure have, my own dad did that. It is exactly that type of mental attitude that hinders performance in a game. Allowing the game to frustrate you does nothing at all to the ball or club (except maybe break it and then what good is it), it only defeats you.

The Swing of it all!

Finally, the way you swing your golf club has everything to do with the result of your golf game. If you do not learned the proper techniques of the swing, you will continue on the present road of your over par golf game. Without knowing exactly how you should be swinging, you cannot even hope to improve. Today`s golfers have listened to all of the hype, theories and stories surrounding the world of golf swings. It is all too easy to fall into the trap and never reach your goal of developing a good golf swing.

By learning and applying all of these main principals, you can begin to enjoy a golf game that is comparable to those played by the professionals.

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Golf Gadget, SkyCaddie Approved For Play

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Golf technology seems to be springing up every where for practically every part of the golf game. Like all of the space age metals they use today to manufacture the golf heads of drivers, irons, and putters. That also includes the high-tech manufacturing of golf balls and especially with the new golf balls from TaylorMade.

There are also the handheld GPS devices that have been around for a couple years to help in computing yardages on the golf course. These devices have been forbidden on the PGA and LPGA tours as well as in tournament play, but one such device has recently been given the nod. The SkyCaddie powered by SkyGolf’s advanced SG2 technology, gives you the same information that a Pro would receive from a top PGA TOUR Caddie all within the palm of your hand. The SkyCaddie was chosen by the PGA Learning Center and is the FIRST electronic measuring device approved for use during the Adams Golf Tight Lies Tour!

The SkyCaddie measures over hills and around obstacles. It calculates yardages up to 40 targets per hole in less than a second, automatically! No aiming, no missing. You don’t need a clear line of sight or reflective target with the SkyCaddie. Because the targets are pre-programmed, the SkyCaddie eliminates the need to aim through a lens, accidentally hitting the wrong target on a hole, or trying to hit a pin with a laser beam at 200 yards.

It’ll be interesting to see how long it will take for these devices to reach their way into the PGA and LPGA Tours. I don’t think they’ll replace the tour caddie, but rather provide them with all long overdue tool to aid the PGA or LPGA professional. Why not? Everything else about the game of golf has gone high-tech so why not include the SkyCaddie. The golfer still has to execute the golf shot so it’s not taking anything away from the game. It may even speed up the game because the tour caddie won’t have to flip through their yardage book to estimate the yardage. They just need to pull out the SkyCaddie and have the correct hole selected and they’ll be able to determine the yardage in seconds with a couple feet.

I think it would be great for the game of golf to have a device like this because it would be useful for all ages at all levels of play.

Don Smith is a single dad and avid amateur golfer of over 30+ years. He manages a very informative golf school web site called U.S. Golf Schools. His golf blog “To Golf Or Not To Golf” is at http://tgontg.blogspot.com with golf tips, reviews, etc…

Why You Should Chip From The Bunker

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One of the toughest golf shots for most golfers is from the green side sand trap mainly for two reasons; 1) a golfer rarely practices their bunker shots, 2) they don’t know the correct technique to hit from the sand trap.

Here’s a really simple golf tip to hit a sand trap shot when the bunker is firm with a medium to small lip and you have some green to work with.

What I like to do in these cases is use a 7 or 8-iron to chip the golf ball out of the bunker. Noticed how I said chip the ball instead of blast the ball. This is important because you want to hit the golf ball first as you would with a chip shot. The idea is to get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible so it can run out to the hole. On occasion I’ve even used a 5 or 6-iron to chip the ball out of the green side bunker when I’ve had a lot of green to deal with.

When you’re able to get the golf ball on the green sooner and run it out its easier to judge the distance. Also, chipping the ball is a lot easier for most golfers than blasting the ball out with a sand wedge. No, you still can’t ground your club so I would suggest trying this a few times at the practice sand trap the next time you’re at the range.

As a general rule I like to play golf with an open and creative mind. You don’t have to always play golf within a box of set rules and guidelines. Any golf club in your bag can be used at anytime for any shot other than what it’s designed for. Play the shot with the club you’re most confident with. Use the club that will get you down the fairway, on the green, or in the hole.

Like anything practice is critical for having confidence to pull this golf shot off, but it will only take a little practice to make a big difference. Fifteen minutes of practice in the practice sand could save you a couple strokes in your next round of golf. Remember to keep an open and creative mind while you play your next round of golf because you may find a club in your bag that can be used for a shot other than what it’s designed for. By doing this you’re virtually carrying more than 14 clubs in your golf bag.

Don Smith is a single dad and avid amateur golfer of over 30+ years. He manages a very informative golf school web site called U.S. Golf Schools. His golf blog “To Golf Or Not To Golf” is at http://tgontg.blogspot.com with golf tips, reviews, etc…

5 Features Of A Good Golf School

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If you want to make a BIG LEAP in improving your golf game then a golf school is your best bet. A golf school is 100% dedicated to making you a better golfer. The majority of the golf schools can and will teach you to become a better golfer in a short amount of time.

The 5 major features a good golf school should be offering are:

1. No more than a 4 to 1 teaching ratio with 2 to 1 being something to look for and 1 to 1 being ideal. The 1 to 1 teaching ratio schools tend to be a lot pricier, but if you can afford it then it’s definitely worth it to your golf game.

2. The golf school’s pros should be seasoned teaching professionals that are highly qualified. Make sure at least 2 of the teaching professionals are recognized in the golf world/community. I would even suggest looking in some recent or past golf magazines to see what golf instructors are listed at particular golf schools.

3. The golf school should have accommodations included in the price with the accommodations on or very near the golf course where you’re taught. I find this to be convenient because you don’t have to worry about booking a room for your stay.

4. The golf school should provide a specific lesson plan for your swing. They should tailor it specifically for you and not follow a caned plan. This is important because every golfer is different and they require a specialized instruction play just for their golf swing.

5. The golf school should provide unlimited follow up via email or phone. I think this is probably the most important because it shows how genuine they are in improving your game. It shows that they’re in it for the long run and are dedicated to making you a better golfer.

You should also think of the golf school as a vacation so the accommodations and surrounding area should fit your lifestyle off the course. Also, look for golf schools that provide unlimited golf after your teaching session is over. Try to find some testimonials on their website to see what some of their previous students felt about the course.

US Golf Schools is a great place to perform some due-diligence on the golf schools available in your area that meet your needs. Price will obviously play a big part in your golf school of choice so be sure to set a budget before you start looking for a golf school.

There’s a lot of competition between the golf schools for your attendance so expect them to cater to you when you call and inquire about their program. Don’t be afraid to ask if they have any specials or if they provide seasonal discounts. If the golf school really wants your business then they’ll be willing to accommodate your golfing needs.

Don Smith is a single dad and avid amateur golfer of over 30+ years. He manages a very informative golf school web site called U.S. Golf Schools. His golf blog “To Golf Or Not To Golf” is at http://tgontg.blogspot.com with golf tips, reviews, etc…

Golf Swing Mechanics Tips

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It’s all here: The crossover of the hands, wrists and forearms through and beyond impact is one of the movements (perhaps the key movement) that defines good ball-strikers and their mechanics.

The upper arms are passive as the right hand and forearm ’snap’ over the left a sure sign of a full, committed release of energy through the ball.

The great Henry Cotton always stressed the importance of ‘educating the hands’, and for me he nailed the essence of the swing. Down the ages, the game’s greatest players have all made the same basic mechanical movement (i.e. a body turn coupled with a wrist hinge); they play with a hand action that both conducts and multiplies the energy created by the body all the way down through the shaft and into the clubhead. It’s no coincidence that the greatest names in golf have all shared a wonderful hand action.

Ben Hogan illustrating golf swing mechanics perhaps better than any other golfer the value of hand/wrist and forearm rotation in maximising the ‘whip’ through the ball.

Britain’s greatest ever golfer, Nick Faldo, is often cited as a ‘mechanical’ player who relies on the ‘big’ muscles in the swing; truth is, Faldo’s hand action has always been his greatest asset.

Good players understand the principle of centrifugal force and they maximise the efficiency with which they rotate their body to create it. More importantly, they translate this force into clubhead speed thanks to this vital component of the swing-hand action.

Modern teaching has increasingly focused on the role of the bigger muscles in the body, which misses the point entirely as far as the weekend golfer is concerned.

Golf is a speed game, not a power game. And you do not create speed with the big muscles, you create speed with the smaller muscles in the hands and forearms. So, with that in mind, let me introduce you to a series of drills to help you improve your hand action.

With practice, they will enhance your ability to create a naturally correct swing that maximises speed.

As your only point of contact with the club, the hands play what I believe to be the most important role of all in the basic development of the swing.

This is something modern teaching has tended to overlook; We hear so much these days about the ‘Big Muscles’ in the body controlling the action and generating power, but all of that, for me, misses one crucial point.

As I mentioned in the introduction, golf is not a power game, it’s a speed game. You do not create speed with the big muscles; you create speed with the smaller ones - the hands, wrists and forearms.

Brought to you by Golf swing mechanics and Brentwood Golf Clubs

Get Golf Swing Help But Don’t Forget Your Attitude!

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How serious are you about improving your golf game? I must admit that when I reached a certain level I found it almost impossible to improve any further. No matter how many tips and coaching instruction I got I just couldn’t seem to push past that all time best score. Oh sure, I got close which just gave me enough incentive to have another crack at it the following week.

Did You Know?

If you are one of those golfers who has reached a certain mark and can’t seem to get to the next level don’t sweat it; you’re not alone. Recently studies indicate that less than one, maybe two golfers in a thousand can “climb” into the so called quality zone after making their initial flurry of improvement.

Golfing Attitude

Attitude plays such a big part in golf that it can never be understated. The golf swing is so vital in the overall scheme of things yet it is still one area most golfers don’t seem to get. Golf swing help is available on just about any course; you’ve just got to ask, but applying what you’ve been taught on the practice fairways on game day is a different matter. You also need some good attitude.

Hands up if the following scenario sounds familiar to you: you have just had a bunch of lessons with a golf coach who has run you through the pros and cons of the golf swing. You then hit the driving range and after a couple of sessions you are feeling almost invincible. It’s time for game day, or in most cases, including mine, a round with your mates. After the initial bartering of side wagers, you tee off and bingo!… right down the middle of the fairway. Things are looking pretty good. Three holes into the round and you are holding your own.

Then it happens…that mis-guided slice into the trees and you “curse” the shot. By the time you’ve eventually putted the ball into the hole, what started out as a par 4 has turned into a costly 9 over par 13. Ouch! You are virtually out of play as far as the side wagers are concerned, so you think… “the pressure is now off…I can have a bit of fun.”

Hold on.