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Whenever I hear golfers talking about hitting the ball farther, I hear about things like buying the latest driver, using the hottest new shaft, creating as much lag as possible on the downswing, keeping a flat wrist at impact, etc. The list goes on and on. While these things may possibly help you, simply put, hitting the ball far comes down to three things:
1) Sweet Spot Contact
In theory, five yards is lost for every quarter of an inch that you miss the sweet spot on your driver. That means if you miss the sweet spot by as little as an inch, you could lose 20 yards on your drive. All of a sudden you'd be hitting 2 clubs more for your next shot in to the green. It's harder to shoot lower scores that way!
One of the best ways I have ever encountered to improve your ball-striking is to keep your head as still as your flexibility allows during the swing (it's ok to move it some). What this effectively does is it will keep the vertebrae where your shoulder, neck, and spine intersect roughly in the same point in space during the swing. This vertebrae is a key measurement to the ball and moving it around too much makes it more difficult to get consistently good ball strikes. Both PGA Tour Hall of Famer, Johnny Miller, and Guinness World Record Holding Long Driver, Mike Austin, talk about this.
But regardless of whether a relatively still head is a part of the type of swing method you use, make sure you are consistently hitting the center of the club face. It makes a big difference.
2) Custom Fit Equipment
One time I was trying out a few new drivers on the range and out on the course. There were two in particular that looked very similar and were hard to tell apart visually, however, they differed in length, loft, weight, and flex. I hit them both the same accuracy-wise, but I literally hit one 50 yards farther than the other. Consequently, on the same holes, I would have to hit a 9-iron in to the green having used one driver, and a 5 or 6-iron in to the green with the other driver. You can imagine that it is a heck of a lot easier to shoot lower scores with the 9-iron.
To maximize your distance, it is very important to get a driver that is custom fit to your particular swing. While you can get "fitted" through a variety of manufacturers, at your golf course, or at a local golf store, I highly recommend using someone that is PCS-certified (Professional Clubmakers Society). You can be sure that anyone that has this certification has a very thorough background on being able to fit golfers of different sizes with different swings in to a driver that will help them get the absolute most out of their distance potential.
3) Swing Speed Training
Once you are using a swing method that gets you hitting the sweet spot consistently on your custom fit clubs, the next major thing you can do to hit the ball farther is to increase your swing speed.
For every 1 mph you can increase your swing speed, you will carry the ball 2.5 yards farther. When you consider that every day golfers swing 70-95 mph, Tour pros swing 105-130 mph, and the professional long distance drivers swing 135 mph to upwards of 150 mph, it's easy to see why people hit the ball different distances.
Unfortunately for many golfers of all levels they don't realize, don't believe, don't know how, etc that they can do increase their speed. However, the good news is that given the right guidance and training, it's actually quite easy to learn to swing faster. This is especially true if you are not already doing anything for your speed.
Increase your usable swing speed and you will hit longer drives.
Jaacob Bowden is one of the world's foremost experts on increasing golf swing speed. His Swing Man Golf web site was built around both the knowledge he used to increase his own swing speed by 26 mph in 37 days while training for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships, and also what he has learned about golf that took him from average length hitting 14-handicapper to Professional Golfer and Long Drive Champion. Swing Man Golf subscribers regularly gain 30-65 yards of distance when signing up on Swing Man Golf.
To learn more information about what Jaacob can do for you and your game, visit Swing Man Golf.
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There is many ways to improve your Golf game including improving your putting, adding more length to your drive and fixing and improving your golf back swing and as many different components you can target to work on there is even more expensive classes and equipment designed to assist you in accomplishing your goal for a better golf player.
What if I told you that something as simple as a Volleyball can help improve you golf back swing in a significant way?
Well that is exactly what this article is going to explain, how a volleyball can be your best piece of equipment for an improved golf back swing.
As we all realize, golf is a passionate but yet a challenging game to play and master. It is as well not simple to discover ways and become better.
It is difficult to find time and travel to the driving range a sufficient number of times to change a bad habit. It serves you well if you can swing at balls for hours each and every day.
Nevertheless, if you are able to invest a couple of bit of time per day of well concentrated repetitions in a comfortable space at your home, you would be astounded on how you can get better.
Now, keep in mind that you can use any type of ball, cushion, etc. to work on your golf back swing. I suggest using a Volleyball since it is a good size (not to small) and when correctly blown-up has a good amount of weight behind it. This implies that it will assist in developing certain mid muscles essential for golf, and at the same time, build up your golf back swing. Because the Volleyball features some weighting, it may assist in developing endurance.
The important part of practicing you golf back swing this way is that you actually see what a firm back swing position appears and feels like. In this article the focus should be on the shoulder twist. On that point a lot of golfers out there that do not twist their shoulders to full capability, may experience loss consistency and strength.
The exercise for improving your golf back swing is basic in nature, but frequently the easiest techniques are the best.
Below are the simple steps for the Volleyball Golf Back swing Technique and they are as follows:
Step 1 - Grasp your Volleyball between your hands and set about into your golf position.
Step 2 - Begin your golf back swing.
Step 3 - Halt your golf back swing location once your arm is symmetrical to the ground.
Step 4 - Now turn and face your Volleyball. If you're in good location your volleyball ought to be in front of chest.
Step 5 - duplicate a numerous amount of times, or as many as you possibly can.
If you've arrived at a suitable turn you hands will remain at chest position. This location is key to an efficient golf back swing. If you are able to hold your hands in front of chest, you'll hold your golf club on the right plane, produce more strength, and waste less energy to hit improved golf shots.
Abide by the instructions in this golf back swing technique, and once you arrive at step four and find that your volleyball isn't in head-on to your chest, it entails that you're are not in proper position. This will cause it to be much more difficult to produce good shots.
If your volleyball sweeps around you and finishes up trailing you it implies you didn't twist your shoulders adequate on your golf back swing. This will produce a swing that is really deflated and lack strength.
Do not take it likely, if you truly would like to improve your golf back swing and as a result improve your over all game, practice this technique daily, as it can only have a positively affect on your game.
I hope this free golf back swing tip helps you in your pursuit to become the best golfer I know you can be.
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The down swing and the bank swing are 2 key elements that one has to take into account when making efforts to hit the ball. Keep in mind that this is not a kind of 'putting stroke', but a swing to drive ball, so obviously the approach will be different.
Shop golf equipment that you feel comfortable with and that can help you improve your classic golf swing. You can shop golf equipment at online stores, as there are some really good deals, including discounted rates.
Tips To Help You Master Classic Golf Swing
With back swing, you need to bear in mind to keep head down, even when your arms go up, and shoulders bend back. Keeping eyes on ball and head down will be an important factor to make the swing consistent. You will need to keep the head down, irrespective of how much you like to pull head back, and look at golf-club as it hangs on your head.
Leaning the heap up will throw-off swing and essentially cause the golfer to either twist the golf-club in down swing or slice the top of ball as his head bends. It causes him to slice the golf-ball to right or left as his hands will bend with head and make the golf-club go in some way, not allowing straight shot.
In order to have a down swing, there are so many things to remember when the player is working on his classic golf swing. This is actually the 'golf swing release' that will permit golfer to get most power for drive, and allow the golf-ball go along the path. The player can take the club as pendulum; it will collect more power, as it goes along natural path.
Trust yourself and the classic golf swing, and move the hands-up a little or bend knees little more when doing the swing. Even minor changes can completely change the overall approach and can ultimately give the results you are actually looking for in the game.
Just building up a 'classic golf swing' is not enough, but there should be a 'rotation of torso' to go with movement of golf-club, from up to down. By being able to preserve the same classic golf swing and improve power and accuracy with small twists for swing, you will have more fast improvement than giving a try to something new.
Keep in mind that 'consistency' is the key factor when it comes to classic golf swing. You must try different release points and different things; however once you get the one that you feel is comfortable, you should stick to it.
Happy golfing
Terje Sannarnes
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Some people think playing golf is just a matter of sinking the ball into a hole in the ground. Those who don't understand the game fail to realize that it takes skills given the distance in each course.
Though having the right equipment is one factor, it all boils down to techniques when swinging the club against the ball. Here are some tips for golf improvement.
1. When making the first swing, it will be better reduce the speed to achieve better contact between the putter and the ball. Those who are able to perfect this will see it go farther and much closer to the hole.
2. In many sports, coaches and instructors always tell the athlete to keep an eye on the ball. The same line is also said in golf.
The player should keep the head still with the eyes focused on the ball. This technique will make it easier for the player to visualize then execute during the swing.
3. Posture is key when playing the game. The individual should bend the spine a little and keep one leg ahead of the other. This will keep the golfer's body balanced during the swing and follow through.
4. Aside from playing the game, it will be a good idea to practice swinging a few buckets in the golf range. The person should just let go and swing to see how far each shot will go.
These places have large numbered signages on the field and if the first few are not good, adjustments should be made to see improvements.
There are many shots in the game of golf. This can be draw, fade, lob or punch shot. Regardless of the distance, the player should know which club to use since this will determine the direction and speed of where the ball will go.
Conclusion
Golf is an exciting sport even if the player doesn't have the skill to play with the pros. By working on techniques and practicing often, those who play often with the person will see a dramatic improvement the next time everyone tees off.
For more helpful tips on golf swing improvement, please visit http://www.improve-golf-game.info/
Golf instruction tips, before the use of advanced technology such as golf swing software, golf training equipment, dvd and simulators used to be mainly confined to newspapers and magazines.
The increasing use of advanced technology means that the role of golf tips has lessened considerably... because now with golf swing trainers, dvd box sets and golf swing software which allows your teaching pro to analyse and critique your swing and look at it in the whole.
Golf instruction tips in this environment have a limited role... somewhat akin to putting on sticking plaster when you are suffering from pneumonia.
There is no doubt that some tips will help you improve your swing and scores in the short term. But there is a certain placebo effect at work here..and if your swing is fundamentally unsound then a more thorough overall approach will reap rewards in the long run.
Tips that you may receive from your friends or teaching pro will assist you practically immediately, but if your overall swing is fundamentally flawed through poor fundamentals such as grip, set up or posture, then your original problem will occur again.
It is for this reason that I would strongly advise that you make the most of the advances in technology such as the use of golf software, high speed photography and golf dvd to improve your swing.
Golf instruction tips can be valuable to your game, don't get me wrong, but if they do not form part of a more systematic approach to improving your overall swing then they will be of limited use in the long term.
You can learn more about golf swing trainers, golf training equipment and the full benefits of modern technology at my blog..
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Are you looking for more golf swing improvement tips? Then try what some of the more successful golf pros do - enroll in a golf fitness program. Golf fitness training will increase the power of your swing, adding 10 or 20 yards to your drive. Want some proof? Just look at Tiger Woods. He is one of the fittest pros on tour today. Or some of the top lady golfers like Annika Sorenstam. They are well-built and very fit, looking like Amazons.
How Does Golf Fitness Training Improve Your Golf Swing?
A good golf fitness program does 2 main things:
Improves your flexibility - Your flexibility determines the range of your backswing. The greater the range of your backswing, the more potential power you have.
Increases your core strength - More core strength lets you rotate your body faster during your swing. Obviously, more speed in your rotation equals more power in your swing.
Here is a sample exercise common in many golf fitness programs, called the Russian Twist:
Get a medicine ball weighing 3 to 6 pounds
Stand up, legs hip-width apart
Draw in your stomach
Lift the ball level with your chest while keeping your elbows bent
Swing the ball explosively around to your right
You will end up facing your right hand side, with both feet pointing right
Repeat the swing to the left hand side
What To Do If You Are On A Tight Budget
Buying or joining a good golf fitness program is one of the cheapest methods of golf swing improvement. Nevertheless, college students and retirees are notorious for being on a tight budget. All is not lost. Here is a framework for a do-it-yourself golf fitness program. You want to take a three-pronged approach:
Stamina - When you have more stamina, you will remain fresh even at the end of a day's golf. Even at the very last hole you play, you are better able to maintain the power of your swing. How to develop your stamina? Go for a walk regularly. Half-an-hour everyday, if you can manage it. The faster, the better. If you can manage a run, that is even better.
Flexibility - How far can your backswing comfortably go? The 8 o'clock position? 9 o'clock? 10 o'clock? Whatever your range of motion is, just push it a little bit more and hold for 10 seconds, then release the position. Do as many repetitions as possible. Don't forget your followthrough as well.
Strength - Do some core strength training to strengthen all the muscles which stabilize your spine and pelvis. These are the muscles which transfer power from the large to the small body parts when you execute your golf swing techniques.
Here are some core training exercises which do not need any equipment, relying only on your bodyweight:
Prone Bridge
Lateral Bridge
Supine Bridge
Pelvic Thrusts
Curls
Lunges
Squats
As you can see, golf swing improvement is not difficult or expensive to achieve. The improvements you get from golf fitness training also bleed into your everyday life, giving you the bonus of improved health and flatter abs. In addition, you can do many golf fitness training exercises in your own home, even in winter when you can't go to the golf course.
Do you have these 3 problems with your golf swing: 1) inconsistency; 2) slice; 3) distance? Visit http://BetterGolfSwing.KelvinMart.com/blog/ to discover more tips for golf swing improvement.
Golf is not considered a sport only for those people with money anymore. It is now possible to purchase cheaper or even second hand golf equipment. The only set back is that golf lessons still remain very expensive.
Are you a person who is having problems with your golf swing? Have you done all that is necessary to try to improve but to no avail? You have spent many an hour at the driving range or on the golf course, only to feel that you will never quite get the hang of it or are just not improving. The only thing left to do is hire a golf pro to teach you, but this option is far too expensive. So what are the options?
It you cannot afford a golf pro, then why not look online for hints and tips.
Here you will be able to find free online golf lessons instructional videos that provide visual assistance that show you the techniques on how to improve your game, just as if you were on the golf course with a private instructor. There is also the advantage of rewinding and replaying the video as many times as you wish. The results are much better than looking at still pictures or reading books.
An added advantage with free online golf lessons is that you have the ability to reply the videos over and over again until you fully understand the concept being taught. Another advantage is you can play the videos in the comfort of your own home at your own convenience, be it day or night.
More often than not apart from the videos, there is also usually diagrams and instructions to explain the concept being taught more in-depth.
Some offer the facility where you can take a home video of you playing a particular part of golf, whether it be your swing, putting, chipping etc and send it to online sites, they will then view your video and happily reply to you with instructions as to where you are going wrong, along with further tips.
Any part of your golf game that you are having problems with can be rectified by viewing online golf lessons. There is not only information on how to improve your shots, but also:
o questions and answers;
o mind games;
o equipment;
o putting;
o chipping;
o sand shots;
o iron play;
o driving; and
o just plain golf playing
One thing is for certain, once you have taken some free online golf lessons, you will never think about hiring an expensive club pro again. It really is the best way to learn. All necessary information that you could ever want is available from the comfort of your own home.
Therefore, if you are looking for the perfect way to improve your golf game without the high cost of a club pro then free online golf videos are a must.
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How can you develop more power in your golf swing? This is probably a question that all of us want an answer to. Most of us go to great lengths to do whatever it takes to get that "power" into our drives off the tee. I think we probably all have some ideas of where 300-yard drives come from, but I want to give you the answers without any "fluff."
Golf swing power is the result of three specific factors. Two out of the three are much more important, but the third does have a bearing on the outcome of how far you hit that ball.
The first and probably most evident of the three is your swing mechanics. I bet you are not surprised by this one.
The second one is probably the least recognized of the three, but for many is the "key" to longer drives and the category that is given the least amount of attention. Number two is what we term golf strength. This is defined as how well your body is conditioned (i.e. fitness) to swing a golf club with maximum power. Probably the least understood of the three, and maybe the most needed by golfers in general. We will talk more about this later. Let us move on to number three in regards to power for your drives.
Number three is your equipment. Yes, equipment does make a difference in how far you drive the ball. The equipment manufacturers have let this fact be known, and I bet we all have gone to the pro shop probably more than twice to pick up a new driver that claims to give us another 20 yards on every drive. That extra 20 yards might not be down the middle of the fairway, but it will give you an extra 20 yards... could be left, could be right, or could be in the center of the fairway. That all depends on points one and two of this article. Equipment and technological advances have definitely lengthened the distance of our drives. But without better swing mechanics and your body in better golf shape, new technology will not help your game. A bad swing will produce a bad result, regardless of what type of "new" driver you may have just purchased.
Swing Mechanics
I think all of us are aware of how important the mechanics of a swing are when it comes to driving the ball down the fairway. It is essential, if you are over the top with your swing or come inside too much, you'll see that dreaded slice or snap hook. The drives will be short, too low, too high, left, right, or a combination of these if you are putting bad swings on the ball.
It is essential for a golfer to work on the mechanics of their swing, week in and week out, to improve their game. If it weren't important why would all these tour players have swing coaches that work with them on a consistent basis? The golf swing is such a finite, mechanically complex movement, that requires constant work to keep it highly efficient and in check.
One of the most common mistakes I see amateurs make is probably a lack of instruction. I see amateurs over and over at the driving ranges, week in and week out, pounding balls without any improvement. This, I feel, is a result of one of two things: 1) a lack of instruction or 2) low levels of golf strength. A lack of instruction leads to the development and ingraining of improper swing mechanics. This only results in slices, hooks, topping the ball, and hitting it fat on the course. And we all know that those types of swings lead to frustration and bad rounds of golf. I would suggest to most anyone to find a good instructor and take lessons on a consistent basis. This can only help your game in the long run. Now moving on the second point of how to achieve powerful drives and that is golf strength.
Golf Strength (Golf Fitness)
Golf strength is a term we use to describe the golf fitness level of an individual pertaining to swinging a club. This is much different than how much you can bench press or squat, which I like to refer to as "weight room strength." Understand that these two terms, golf strength and weight room strength, are very different. If you do not quite understand the difference, ask yourself one question: How many bodybuilders do you see teeing it up on Tour? The answer to that question is quite obvious, none!
It comes down to this idea: the mechanics of a golf swing require specific levels of flexibility, balance, stability, strength, endurance, and power to perform it efficiently. If your body does not have the required capacities of the aforementioned list, then the result will be? Anyone want to guess? Well, let me give you the answer: a less than optimal and less efficient swing than possible. Essentially, your body supports your swing much like a foundation supports the house you build upon it. I am sure that all of you would choose to build a house on a stone foundation rather than a sand foundation, wouldn't you? I will say that many of you make a different choice when it comes to your golf swing. I quite often see amateurs developing their swing on a "foundation of sand," not a good thing to do in my book.
Regardless of how much time you work on your swing mechanics, if your body does not have the "golf strength" to support your swing, you are limiting your potential. I have seen it numerous times, people practicing at the range who struggle, not because of trying to get better, but because their bodies are limiting what they can do with their swing. Quite often I see people with limited flexibility, poor balance capabilities, and low levels of strength and power. The bottom line is that your mechanics will not get better until you fix the body that swings the club!
Up to this point we have discussed the two most important ideas when it comes to power on the golf course. A review of the topics tells us that they are optimal swing mechanics and the proper levels of "golf strength" in the body. One without the other is going to leave you short when it comes to your potential in the game.
Again, I probably see point number two, golf strength, being addressed less often than swing mechanics when you get right down to it. The pros are all aware of the importance of golf strength, why not you?
Equipment
We have come to the final point, and that is equipment. I think the majority of golfers are aware of the technological advances that have occurred in golf equipment over the last 20 years. I mean, think about the '80's when we were still playing with woods that actually had wood club heads! Imagine that for a moment, and now we are using drivers with space age faces that shoot the ball off of them at warp speed. In addition, we have to mention the advances in terms of golf balls. How manufacturers design golf balls today makes a difference in how far they travel. What a lot of people do not realize is that the USGA has set standards on how "hot" driver faces can be and how "fast" balls can come off the face of drivers. Most clubs are reaching this limit, and anything past these USGA rules becomes illegal to play.
So what does that tell us?
1) Club manufacturers have done a great, and I mean great, job in the advancement of technology, and
2) to increase the distance on your drives you are now going to have to turn to points one and two of this article.
So what does improving your power really come down to?
It comes down to three simple ideas. Number one is improving your golf swing mechanics. Improved mechanics will improve your driving distance. Number two is improving your golf strength. By improving your body as it pertains to the golf swing you will improve your distance off the tee. Finally, equipment does make a difference, if you hit the ball correctly.
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com
For any golf player, Golf improvement entails a lot of work. Even Tiger Woods needs practice. People love golf game because of its mystery that needs to be conquered until you reach your goals of becoming the best. There are areas that you need to pay attention when it comes to playing golf. One is the equipment and another is the instruction that you have. You need to review and upgrade your tools so you will always be updated.
If you want to achieve Golf improvement there is a need to learn things. You need to know some techniques and tips. It pays to read about different golf equipment so you are in touch with latest technology. Golf is a game where you need to attain good game. If you are recreational player, it is good to have the latest equipment in golf that would accompany you in different courses. It is a good idea to read some articles on the technology it offers. The next thing is to evaluate golf instruction that would effectively convert weakness to strength. You can get improvement in different way such as instruct or reading eBook.
Remember that getting the latest Golf improvement is never ending. It will never end because they are developing techniques that would make you become the best player there is. Whether you acquire the latest golf club for the extra yards or you get thing from eBook when it comes to changing the swing plane, you need to gain advantage that would never end.
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Golf fitness equipment is designed to help a golfer build strength in certain muscles so as to improve their golf game and lower their scores.
The problem is that there are so many different golf fitness equipment in the market these days that it is difficult to identify the really effective ones and the duds or inappropriate ones.
Golf Swing Improvement
The situation is hardly helped by the fact that clever marketing is usually put to use in promoting a vast majority of golf fitness equipment. The result is that many disappointed golfers have ended up with loads of the stuff in their garages that has hardly improved their game.
In fact you would find some who would confidently tell you that their game has gotten worse rather than better. You want to improve your golf swing and game, not ruin it!
Weighted Golf Club
Golf fitness equipment that I have found to be very effective is the weighted club. This is a very golf-specific piece of equipment because one ends up going through the exact same motions you do with an ordinary club but with more weight. This greatly helps in strengthening and conditioning all the relevant muscles used in the golf swing.
The inside approach is another great golf fitness equipment to help improve any golf swing. This particular device is extremely useful for slicers and helps deal with this problem fairly quickly.
Golf Exercise Tubing
As golf fitness equipment, golf exercise tubing is very affordable and yet very effective. The strength of this device is in its' ability to break down the golf swing into as many different phases as you would like to focus on for the sake of improvements. It offers specific resistance training for each phase.
Golf Stability Balls
Stability balls are the sort of golf fitness equipment that any golfer with a bad back should have. There are almost countless different stretch exercises that you can with it. And what makes this golf training aid even more attractive is the fact that you can do your exercises in the office or at home when you have a moment.
Portable Dumbbells
Simple dumbbells can also be very useful golf fitness equipment to have around. You can do so many things with them. You can literally isolate phases of your golf swing and create golf fitness exercises on your own!
You do not need a gym to do a very effective golf fitness routine. The above equipment is more than enough!
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance experts in the country. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert; GolfIllustrated.com's, and founder of the first online golf fitness training membership site over 6 years ago. Take a look at his best selling Golf Fitness System at PerformBetterGolf.com.
As you may know from my website, a few years ago I was shooting in the mid-90s on my home course and now I'm putting up professional tournament scores in the 60s and 70s. I think one of the reasons I was able to do this was that I was willing to think outside the box when it came to my equipment.
Previously, I had been like many people and had iron sets from major manufacturers like Callaway and Titleist. If you're like I was, you probably have certain misses for certain clubs. For example, when I missed I would push my 3-5 irons, hit my 6-8 irons pretty straight, and pull my 9-LW. Because loft is the primary determinant of distance, I thought the clubs might be easier to hit if they were all the same length (some companies had previously tried this - you may have heard about Tommy Armour's EQLs), but the problem was that as the heads move from PW to 3-iron the weights got lighter. If you cut the shafts all the same length, the swing weights then go all over the charts. Needless to say, they did not catch on.
But then I came across a small company in Ohio that I had never heard of before called 1iron Golf. The owner, David Lake, apparently also believed in the idea of same length clubs...but what he did different was to make all the heads the identical weight. Ah ha!!! All of a sudden, the clubs had the same length, same weight, same swing weight, same MOI, same EVERYTHING!!!
I decided I had to try them, and you wouldn't believe how much it improved my iron play. It took about a month to get used to them (it was funny, even though I knew they were all the same club except for loft...I still made my same old misses), but after that it was smooth sailing. Loft for loft, weight for weight, etc, I still had the same yardage gaps as I had previously with my old irons.
Furthermore, as I like to used different clubs for chipping, my short game also improved because basically the only thing that changed from chip to chip was the height of my shot.
If you want to learn more, here's his site. If you end up getting something, mention the code and you'll get free head covers or whatever other freebie he's offering at the time.
1iron Golf - Coupon Code 10507
One thing to note is that the clubs automatically come with a very flexible steel shaft. So depending on what you like, you may wish to change out the shafts and put on your own grips. The key thing that makes the concept work, though, is that unlike a conventional set of iron heads, the 1iron heads are all the same weight.
David will also give you 30 days to try them (take the whole 30 days to give them a fair chance), and if they aren't for you...no worries, he'll give you an immediate full refund. If you need anything, you should also know that his communication with his customers is excellent - and I don't get that treatment just because I'm a pro. I researched him in the golf forums before I initially contacted him and other people said the same thing.
Jaacob Bowden is one of the world's foremost experts on increasing golf swing speed. His Swing Man Golf web site was built around both the knowledge he used to increase his own swing speed by 26 mph in 37 days while training for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships, and also what he has learned about golf that took him from average length hitting 14-handicapper to Professional Golfer and Long Drive Champion. Swing Man Golf subscribers regularly gain 30-65 yards of distance when signing up on Swing Man Golf.
To learn more information about what Jaacob can do for you and your game, visit Swing Man Golf.
In this article I will give you some free golf tips that will help you to improve your game. I know many golfers who reach a certain level and can't seam to progress any further. I have seen players hit a couple of good shots then a complete duff shot that just trickles of the tee.
For most golfers, just getting back to the basics can bring around a positive change in their swing. For some reason, we get to a stage in our game where we think we should be powering the ball 350 yards straight down the fairway. When this doesn't happen, we maybe just try too hard, I know because it has happened to me. So I hope these free golf tips will improve your game - they have helped me out over the years.
Check Your Golf Equipment
Maybe you have been playing for a while or even a few years with the same golf equipment. It is amazing how many golfers are using the wrong clubs or golf balls for their game or physique. The worst thing you can do is play with clubs that are too short or long for you. If in doubt, get your local golf course pro to check what length of clubs is right for you.
The flex of the shaft also has to be of the correct stiffness for your swing speed. The more swing speed and therefore power you can produce, then the stiffer the club needs to be. For example, if you can generate a lot of power, you should use a stiff club shaft, whereas a senior golfer and some women will probably need a club with more flex to help generate the extra power.
For golf balls, you have to choose wisely; don't be swayed by manufacturer's hype. You don't want to sacrifice control for distance, so if you still can't hit consistent and accurate shots, don't go for a distance ball. You could maybe try a two piece ball for some distance with a softer cover for more control. Alternatively, go for a three piece construction for a good combination of distance, control, and spin.
The Setup
Some free golf tips associated with the golf setup include the grip, stance, ball position, and address position. There are many types of grips but you should go with the one that is comfortable for you. Note: Hold your club tightly, don't listen to some golf "gurus" that say you should hold the club loosely or just tight enough so that it doesn't fly out of your hands!
The main thing to remember is that the palm of your left hand faces right and the palm of your right hand faces left towards the target. The thumb of your left hand points down the shaft and slightly to the right and your right thumb, on top of your left, points down the shaft and slightly to the left.
Your stance for a normal shot is all about being square and parallel. Line up your feet parallel to the target line with your feet facing slightly outwards. Your hips and shoulders should also be parallel to the target. With your arms straight, your elbows are slightly bent downwards, not outwards, keep your elbows tucked in.
Set yourself up the correct distance from the ball; not too far that you are reaching and not too close that you are crowding the ball. The correct golf ball position is in the middle of your stance for wedges and short irons; half way between center and your left heel for long irons; and opposite your left instep for the driver. Once you have taken a couple of practice swings, move into the address position, but don't take to much time in the address position thinking about the shot - you will tire your arms and legs.
The Golf Swing
There are dozens of free golf tips that I could give you for the golf swing, but they are beyond the scope of a single article. Instead, I will give you the fundamental things to remember when you go to swing the club. Some are so obvious, but it is surprising how many people forget them when in the middle of a round of golf.
First, don't listen to the advice of some golf "experts" that say you should relax when swinging a golf club. The golf swing is a relatively aggressive and physical exertion, so you can't be relaxed. Neither should you be tensed up; you need to be like boxer just before he throws a punch.
To swing a golf club properly you need to be balanced. Keep the weight evenly balanced between the ball of your feet and your heel and slightly favoring the heels. Another thing that helps to keep your balance is by keeping your head as still as possible throughout the swing. Due to the physical forces of the golf swing, your head will move slightly but this is normal - just don't jerk your head or you will never be balance.
Keep your eyes on the ball at all times during your swing. This includes the backswing, the downswing, and just after the impact position. Don't try to follow the ball with your eyes the moment the club impacts the ball - keep your eyes on where the ball was until your head and eyes are forced round by the movement of the follow through.
Your golf swing speed should be consistent from the backswing all the way through to the follow through. Don't make the mistake of starting your backswing slowly and then wanting to speed up the downswing to blast the ball into oblivion. We have all had that feeling, when we are poised to start our downswing, that we can hit the ball a mile. Resist the urge; a fluid and consistent speed will out hit anyone trying to hit the ball too hard.
I hope you will keep these free golf swing tips in mind the next time you are out on the course. Like I said, some are so obvious that you will be saying that you knew to keep your eyes on the ball or don't hit the ball too hard, but believe me, when you focus on your game and you consciously remember to implement these tips, you will immediately see improvement in your game.
Mick Euan Tait writes about Golf Tips for Beginners and Free Golf Tips at his website where you will find all the information you need to learn golf or improve your game.
It is very important to take into account the posture of forearms and hands at moment of the impact. Get into impact posture, just like you are going to make a firm contact with ball and flip trailing wrist just like you were casting fishing pole. It is commonly referred to as 'wrist break' and it is not a movement that one wants to make in the game. So, if you are endeavoring to flip hands through ball at the impact, this improving golf tip will help you comprehend the right approach to make this happen.
As per improving golf swing tips, if you choose to put wrist-watch on, you will be better able to envisage correct movements to make. As the leading arm moves toward impact, the watch-face must be getting closer to the pointing, exactly down the line (target line) or to flag. Simply rotate the watch-face so it is pointed at ground. With club in hands, you will observe that this movement makes your trailing wrist or forearm flip on the top of leading wrist or forearm. In your efforts for improving golf swing, you will see that this helps to close the face of golf-club nicely, which will both add some distance and reduce the slice. This is a correct movement through impact, as per tips on improving golf swing.
Some Other Tips for Improving Golf Swing
First, you must shop golf equipment like golf club, irons and putters of high quality, which will help improve your golf swing. Do not shop golf equipment that is cheap at the cost of quality.
You need to ensure that you do not swing too fast. When swinging golf-club, you must preserve a pace to improve golf-swing. While you have your club in air, pause before bringing the golf-club back down. It will certainly help you get ball farther.
As per improving golf swing tips, you should keep your weight on inner side of right foot and have an insignificant bend in knee. If one does not do this, he may not have that much pressure in his swing. While he has golf-club back behind him, he needs to make certain this right-knee is braced. By doing so, he will be able to improve his golf swing send the ball far.
You should not hit the golf ball hard in to breeze, as it will only send ball with much more spin, and ultimately send it higher. You want to hit ball lower, but with control, so keep it a few inches in the front and have hands forward. In breeze, put into use a longer golf-club than you would use normally, and swing easily.
You should have good balance to get consistent swing and hit the ball with feet close as one.
Happy golfing
Terje Sannarnes
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Tip #1 - Ignore The Hype - Pay Attention To Your Needs!
As a recreational golfer, you probably don't pay that much attention to the golf equipment that you buy. Industry has a way to hype its sales pitch by its marketing gurus and most recreational buyers pay attention to the hype instead of their own needs.
Today's equipment has certainly come a long way and shafts, club heads and balls certainly do perform the way that the makers claim. However, the secret is finding a club maker and/or a club fitter that knows you and your swing and can recommend the right equipment for you.
Tip #2 - Let Your Clubs Fit YOU!
Whether you are 5-foot-6 or 6-foot-6, the average golf club will not be right for you. The lie and loft will change dramatically due to arm and leg length. Finding a good club maker or club fitter that understands these requirements can DRASTICALLY shave strokes off your scorecard.
In relation to this, statistics show that the average family has 2.4 children. Well I have never seen two-fifths of a child! With that said, just what is the average person? Again, now you can see why it is imperative that you fit the clubs and the clubs fit you!
Tip #3 - Decide On Your Price And Find A Pro!
Price is most definitely a factor when purchasing new or used clubs. It is of NO use buying expensive clubs and the shaft is the wrong length or stiffness/flex or conversely buying 'cheap' clubs when your game is of good quality.
The idea is to have the clubs compliment your specific swing and swing speed. There are subtleties in the making and matching of your golf clubs - swing weight, loft and lie, graphite or even steel. Also, there are different textured grips which can be matched to fit the size of your hand or fingers producing a better bio-mechanical action.
We all have different swing speeds, different swing paths and planes. We are all of different muscle strengths and of course body types. Decide what price range you can realistically afford and find a pro/coach/instructor that can set you up with a set of clubs that will produce the BEST for you. I cannot stress enough that it is ultra important to get the matching equipment for you. Some people are short and some people are tall...choose the right equipment and begin to watch your game improve and lower your scores.
Tip #4 - Use A Lower Spin-Rate Ball!
Today's golf ball has advanced with technology. Different spin rates and cover materials have allowed the golfer to actually choose a ball that suits both his/her game and the conditions he/she
plays in.
The slicer and hooker can get more distance and straighter shots by using a lower spin rate ball. Cover materials allow for more feel when chipping and putting. There are even tools that will use centrifugal force and a marker pen to produce an 'equator-type' line on the ball that aids in alignment and 'trueness' of the roll of the ball.
Advancement in equipment is good...make it GOOD for you by selecting the right equipment to enhance your game!
Arthur J. Thompson is a recreational golfing expert and author of "The Secrets To Low Scoring Recreational Golf" eBook Guide. His website is an important, crucial and vital resource for recreational golfers - full of helpful tips, advice and information on the game of golf at the recreational level.
He has won the Royal Canadian Legion Zone Golf twice and the Royal Canadian Legion District Golf once. He has helped hundreds of people take their recreational golfing experiences to the next level - improving their enjoyment of the game while helping them to significantly reduce bogeys, double-bogeys and snowmen.
Check out the various testimonials on his site --> http://www.bogeycrusher.com
This article is also available in HTML format on the BogeyCrusher Golf site --> http://www.bogeycrusher.com/Articles/1_SelectingGolfEquip.htm
I think we can safely say that one of the biggest challenges for many golfers is the problem of way too much thought, normally the wrong negative type at some pretty inappropriate times. "I hope I don't chunk this shot in the bunker, but I normally do and I'm really useless at bunker shots, so if I go in there then I'm looking at double bogey! I'm behind here and can't afford to blow another hole!"
Then of course there are the plethora of swing tips and advice given to the poor old unsuspecting golfer who is just asking, "Improve my golf game please!" And play with confidence. Golf has such big time gaps between shots that it is all too easy for the mind to wander off from the present moment and start thinking about potential problems with certain holes or with actual swing technique.
What with the golf shop racks full of magazines offering in many cases conflicting advice and certainly not designed for the individual reader, given they have never chatted with you let alone seen you play. If you think swing advice or tips work then ask yourself this question. "If there is even more advice and tips now than ever before, and it actually works, how come average handicaps have basically not changed in 30 years?"
Think about how much equipment has improved over the last 30 years. It has undeniably gotten a lot better from the balls to the clubs themselves. Generally equipment does go further and straighter than ever before and yet ask yourself this question. "If the equipment bought off the shelf is so much better how come average handicaps have not changed in 30 years?"
Do you really believe the big brand name manufacturers when they say that this years model hits it ten yards further and much straighter? They seem to claim this every year and in some cases more than once a year as they launch more models. If it was true then we would all be hitting it 400 yards dead straight by now wouldn't we? After all they have been claiming "Further & Straighter" for years!
Here is some advice you can consider that works well to get you going as a general improvement philosophy.
Get one swing coach if you want to improve your swing. Choose him/her carefully and then commit to long term goals with them.
Practice your short game more than any other aspect of your swing.
Find and work with a qualified Club Maker to build you a set of custom clubs over a period of time that suits your budget. In many cases you will be surprised at how affordable custom built clubs can be. Be picky about finding an experienced and recommended club maker. Note: We are not talking about a little so called "custom Fit" session with your local pro to get you the latest brand name set of clubs. We really mean a qualified club maker who will build you a set uniquely suited to the way you swing.
Work on your mental game a lot. Either get yourself a sports psychologist or learn by mental game programs. You can safely work with a sports psychologist from a distance. Good practitioners can help you using modern communication techniques so don't be worried about asking a Mental Game Coach to work with you even if they are in another State or even country. Ideally though it would be nice if you could play the odd round of golf with your Sports Psychologist so they can see your on-course performance.
Never accept any unsolicited advice from other amateurs. Never follow quick tips, they don't work long term. Save your money buying magazines and invest it in Mental Training.
Ask lots of questions and have patience with your learning.
Enjoy the game of golf every time you go out, no matter how you play. Be grateful you can walk that course and hit a ball in beautiful surroundings with good (I hope) company.
I hope you have found some useful information or food for thought here. It's a great game and remember if your improvement gets stuck for years and you are feeling really frustrated, you're getting the wrong advice from the wrong people. Change what you're doing or you are doomed to keep repeating the results.
To find out more about the mental game of golf and how to easily apply principals such as visualisation, focus of attention, targeting and many others that will dramatically improve your golf results and enjoyment of the game now go to http://www.golfmindshop.com
By "Every Golfers Guide To The Development And Mastery Of The Inner Game" has extensive guides both written and on MP3 to achieve your best performance using the untapped power of great Sports Thinking - The Mental Game.
Wishing you FIR's, GIR's & Blue Skies,
Mark.
Ps - Get my NEW Peak Mental Performance EBook FREE to get your mental game started now at http://www.golfmindshop.com
Mark Wright is a Master Coach and Sport Psychologist, NLP Sports Coach, Hypnosis Expert and Master Club Maker with nearly 25 years of Sports Coaching Experience. He can be contacted via his website where you can get free advice on your golf swing, mental game or Equipment.
With Effortless Power you will have a fabulous golf swing. Having Amazingly Long And Straight Drives that Blow By Your Golfing partners By 30 Yards On Every Hole.
Dear Golfer,
Can you imagine the look of pure horror on the faces of your golf buddies as you unleash the sweetest drives and crank out one great swing after another?...
If you've taken lessons, bought the latest greatest equipment and your garage is filled with those crazy gimmick training aids...
If you've tried the golf pros and the newest clubs and you still can't get those drives in the fairway, or that darn ball near the hole, this is the most important piece of information you'll ever read.
Golfers spending hundreds of dollars on lessons, only to be more confused than ever... and not being able to hit the ball at all! With this scenario, what's left?
Do you take more lessons? Do you hit more balls? I'll bet you've already done that. Did it help? Be honest. I'm a straight shooter... and fessing up is the first step to ending the frustration and getting on the right track quickly.
What the pros won't tell you is it's your BODY that's keeping you from a high level of performance.
When things get diffuclt in the swing all you needed to do was a simple stretch or strength movement to solve that particular problem.
It's that easy!
That's the way your golf improvement approach should be. Simple. Easy. With quick results.
No more "band aid" swing adjustments that don't last. Just simple tips and techniques you can use immediately,
In fact... we are so confident about the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide... that we would go as far as saying even one of the simple golf stretches or golf exercises could increase your drives by up to 20 yards... almost overnight!
The beauty of getting your body fit for golf... is you don't have to swing harder to hit it farther. In fact, you'll swing MUCH easier... and watch those tee shots blast down the middle of the fairway.
Go to: [http://assessment-relationships.com/plg/golffittness] and RAISE THE LEVEL OF YOUR GOLF GAME
David H. Lindemann
David has been a business person, lecturer, community leader and student of improving organizations. He has studied organizations all over the world along with extensive studies on organization effectiveness. The general conclusion that he has come to is that great organizations hire good people, put them in the right jobs and manage them correctly.
David has had a long career in business ending up as the chairman and CEO of a manufactureing and marketing company before turning over the reins to his sons. While traveling the world on business, he has found time to study organizations. David has worked with businesses in Japan, Germany, Singapore, India, Germany, Italy and Great Britain.
Eastern Michigan University was where he first became interested in people and organizational behavior. After graduation, David continued his infatuation with improvement in organizations. Florida Atlantic University used his talents as adjunct professor.
This background has help hone him to become a highly touted speaker, consultant and author
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Bill Pennington, who writes the OnPar blog for the New York Times, recently reviewed Tom Watson’s latest DVD Lessons of a Lifetime.
It has been an eventful 12 months for Tom Watson, from his near victory at last year’s British Open to his emotional exit at last week’s United States Open. Now is a good time for Watson to give his fans a glimpse into his thinking, his technique and his golf wisdom, and that is the principal ambition of Watson’s new, two-disc DVD, “Lessons of a Lifetime.” Watson has stored up a lot of instructional advice over the decades, much of it culled from the golfing greats he has known. But this is no quick-fix highlight reel of golf tricks worth trying.
That is obviously not Watson’s way of doing things. His DVD starts with fundamentals like grip, setup and alignment and takes you through just about everything else you might encounter on the golf course, including a downhill buried lie in a bunker. Some of us might just throw up our hands and declare that ball unplayable, but that obviously is not Watson’s way of doing things either.
So this is a DVD that is thorough in the thorough Midwestern way that Watson brings to most matters. It is about three hours, but moves quickly as it covers 46 chapters geared to full swing and short game shots. They are definitely lessons and would not be called “tips,” because each has been methodically thought out by Watson, the eight-time major winner. There is a treatise on how to hit a punch shot and a discourse on how to play in the wind — using wind machines.
It is not a laugh-fest but there is a sincere tone. My favorite parts of “Lessons of a Lifetime,” which retails for $49.95, are when Watson tries to motivate the viewer, the average golfer, to see that routine and difficult shots can be performed with consistency and confidence. To Watson it’s a matter of preparation and having a game plan for each shot. After he demonstrates what he means, he sometimes stops, stares into the camera like a veteran football coach giving a halftime speech and says: “That is how it’s done. And you can do it, too.”
And I’m telling you what, I just about jumped off my couch and ran to the nearest golf course to do that shot just as Watson had instructed me. I believed him. I could do it.
“Lessons of a Lifetime” is not just a collection of golf advice. It is Watson’s personal counsel. And following it has worked out pretty well for him.
Via Sincere Lessons From Watson
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A golf handicap, to put it simply, is a numerical measure of a golfer’s playing ability on a particular course. This number is used to make it more competitive between two golfers who want to compete on the same course, but one is better than the other. Below I will attempt to explain how to calculate your own handicap by hand (aside from being crazy, why on earth would you want to do this by hand?!).
I’m going to layout what the formula is for deriving your handicap for a particular course and in the next sections define what each of these numbers mean.
Course Handicap = Handicap index * Slope Rating / 113
Some Example Data
To help assist in this exercise, I’ll give some example data here which should help make some sense out of all of this.
Gross scores (these scores have been adjusted by ESC. Assume this golfer has a handicap index of 25 which means they can get a max of 8 strokes per hole): 85, 89, 82, 80, 79
Course Rating: 68.3
Course Slope: 115
Based on the above data, we will be using 5 rounds to calculate this golfer’s handicap differential.
Handicap Differential
The handicap differential is used to determine your handicap index. It takes between 5-20 rounds of golf to determine your handicap. If you play 5 rounds of golf, you can use your lowest 1 differential to determine your handicap. If you play 20 rounds, you will take the average of your lowest 20 differentials. To determine your handicap differential, see the following formula:
Handicap differential = ( ESC score – course rating) × 113 / (slope rating).
See below for determining your ESC Score. Your ESC score is your adjusted gross score for handicap determination purposes only. Once you’ve figured out your ESC Score, you can determine your handicap differential.
Using our example data from before, since the golfer played 5 rounds, we will be using the lowest differential. We first need to calculate each differential to determine which is the lowest.
Handicap differential = (85 – 68.3) x 113 / 115 = 16.4
(89 – 68.3) x 113 / 115 = 20.3
(82 – 68.3) x 113 / 115 = 13.5
(80 – 68.3) x 113 / 115 = 11.5
(79 – 68.3) x 113 / 115 = 10.5
Obviously this data is all based on the same course, so we’re really only changing the adjusted gross score. In a real world scenario, each handicap differential would likely have different course rating and slope. In our example, however, we’ll be taking 10.5 as our handicap differential.
ESC stands for Equitable Score Control. It is used so a golfer who has a really bad hole doesn’t effect his handicap dramatically. It is only used in helping calculate handicap differential. If you don’t have a handicap index, use 8 for a maximum per hole score.
It’s important to clarify that a handicap is used on a per course basis. A golfer’s handicap index is what is commonly referred to as a golfer’s handicap. When someone asks “What’s your handicap?” they’re usually referring to your handicap index.
To derive your handicap index, use the average of the best 10 differentials of your past 20 total rounds, multiplied by 0.96. If you haven’t played 20 rounds, see our table above under the handicap differential section to determine how many differentials you need to use for the amount of rounds you have played.
Based on our example handicap differential, we’ll be using 10.5 x 0.96. This gives us a handicap index of 10.1.
For the course handicap, it is calculate using the following formula:
Course Handicap = Handicap index * Slope Rating / 113
So for our example golfer on this particular course:
10.1 x 115 / 113 = 10.3
So in the end, our golfer has a 10.3 handicap on this course after playing it for 5 rounds.
The slope rating is the USGA mark that indicates the measurement of the relative difficulty for a bogey golfer compared to the course rating. Slope rating is computed from the difference between the bogey rating and the course rating. The lowest slope rating is 55 and the highest is 155. The average slope rating is 113. To compute the handicap strokes from a given set of tees on a specific course with a slope of “s” given a handicap index of “h,” the following formula is used: (s/113)*h rounded to the nearest integer.
The rating of a particular course is a number generally between 67 and 77 that is used to measure the average “good score” by a scratch golfer on that course
In summary, golf handicapping is a very complicated science used to help bad players compete with better players. There really are three main steps in calculating your own handicap:
Step 1: Calculate your latest 5-20 differentials based on their adjusted gross scores
Step 2: Based on the amount of rounds you are using, calculate the average of the lowest differentials. If using 5 rounds, just use the lowest differential.
Step 3: Multiply the average of the differentials by 0.96. The number you arrive at is your handicap index. All that’s left to do now is get the slope and course rating for your course, plug in your handicap index and you have your overall handicap.
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OK, the title is slightly misleading, but the following video is a good refresher on how to approach your shot. I find that when I start to get slightly off my game, by reviewing this video and re-reading The Simple Swing I get back on track and do much better in my next round of golf.
How to Swing a Golf Club like Tiger Words
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I’ve been reading a lot lately from Don Trahan over at www.peakperformancegolfswing.com. Don and Co. have a lot of good tips for beginners and more advanced golfers. Recently he talked about something that had been plaguing my golf game, topping the ball, especially on the tee shot. How many times have you skulled the ball on the tee shot and had the ball about 25 yards in front of you (if you were lucky)? If you’re anything like me, a lot.
Got a question on the blog from Gaetan. He says, “I’m having a problem topping the ball on my downswing. Not so much with my irons, but in the tee box. Any solution of what I may be doing wrong? Thank you.”
Since you’re doing it with the ball teed up rather than off the ground, I have to suspect, for starters, we might want to look at ball position. It may be too far forward. Consequently, since you’re trying to hit up, you’re hitting it late and you’re catching the top of the ball.
Another problem could be that with the driver or any ball teed up, if you’re aiming too far to the right, you have to pull out of the shot a little quicker, and trying to swing up, if you’re caught kind of centered in the stance or reverse weight shifting, that is going to have you coming out of the shot too fast and you’ll be topping it.
Those could be the two biggest issues. A third one could be maybe turning too much in the backswing,, possibly swinging it too long, so you have to turn harder to pull the club back out in front of you. That actually sends the club coming outside to in. Pulling to the left could cause a reverse weight shift which could have you coming over the ball and topping it.
On the other hand, if you had the ball a little too far back, you’d actually have to pull out of the shot to try and hit it because the ball’s too far back and you’re pounding down on it, but you’re trying to come up, so you get pulled out of the shot.
So we have a ball position issue here and, I think there is a high probability of over turning and over swinging, causing you to have to pull out of the shot. Plus, you could be pulling across the ball, causing reverse weight shift, making you pull out of the shot.
Always go back to fundamentals. Check your ball position, check your swing, and make sure that you’re staying 3/4, limited turn. I think if you get back to the limited turn and correct ball position, you should start hitting any shorts with any club out of the tee box very well.
FootJoy announces the launch of the FJ ProDry® Performance Base Layer and the new FJ Layering System, developed specifically for golf and centered around the goal to Make Every Day Playable. The layering system uses lightweight, thinner, stretchable, more breathable garments that allow the player to regulate body temperature and better adapt to changing weather conditions while also enjoying a complete range of motion during the golf swing.
The launch of the new FJ ProDry® Performance Base Layer which will be in shops from mid-October completes the three tier layering system. The garment features a golf-compression fit, which conforms to the body to stimulate blood flow, warmth and reduce fatigue, whilst ensuring ultimate freedom of movement throughout the golf swing.
“The new FJ Layering System has been developed following feedback from golfers at all levels, extensive research and generations of product innovation,” said Richard Fryer, European Marketing Manager FootJoy, “Now, no matter what conditions you encounter on the golf course, you can comfortably and confidently adjust your layers for maximum performance.”
The BASE LAYER provides an initial layer of moisture management/comfort and is essential for regulating body temperature by moving perspiration away from the body to allow for a warm, dry core. Steve Stricker debuted this piece at The 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews to help combat the cool, windy conditions.
The MID LAYER adds versatility during changing weather conditions. This layer features the long-sleeve Performance Golf Shirt which offers an exclusive new ProDry® fabrication to wick away moisture and provide excellent thermal protection.
The OUTER LAYER has been FootJoy's signature layer for years, as FJ has consistently delivered products that provide the ultimate protection from the elements. Outer layer options include garments within the Tour Collection, Performance range, as well as the fashion-forward FJ Sport line.
More than 100 Tour players have already realised the performance advantage of FJ outerwear and rely on it during the most challenging conditions. "It's a challenge to stay warm and dry in changing weather conditions," said world #4 Steve Stricker. "Layering with thin materials allows me to adapt during any weather without affecting my swing."
FootJoy®. The #1 Shoe and Glove in Golf
Titleist was the overwhelming favourite at the 2010 Glenmuir PGA Professionals Championship at The Oxfordshire Golf Club, as PGA Club Professionals followed the example set by the world’s best players on Tour by choosing Titleist. The impressive counts across a number of product categories were led by the legendary Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls, which claimed the #1 position in the golf ball category. The quality of Titleist’s product range was further demonstrated by Titleist products topping the counts for drivers, fairway metals, utilities, iron sets and wedges* respectively. As well as being the firm favourite with the majority of the field, Titleist was also the choice of the champion, David Mortimer, who is based at the GUI academy at Carton House and trusted a host of Titleist equipment throughout his bag to claim victory.
The renowned Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x led the way at the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship, with 129 players putting their trust in the #1 ball in golf. This accounted for 82.7% of the field, more than 12 times the nearest competitor with 6.4%, and mirrors Titleist’s outstanding performance across worldwide professional tours, proving that the best players across all levels of the game prefer the feel and performance of Titleist balls.
The success of Titleist equipment continued throughout the bags of the club professionals, with the Tour proven 909 driver range helping Titleist to top the driver category with 61 players, compared to 31 for the nearest competitor. The 909 D2, 909D3 and 909DComp have enjoyed success around the world in the bags of the likes of Rory McIlory and Ross Fisher, and the count from the Oxfordshire proves they are the choice of professionals throughout the ranks. The 909 fairways also helped Titleist top the fairway metals count, with 33.1% of the field choosing Titleist, compared to 14% for the nearest competitor.
The feel and playability of Titleist’s Tour proven iron range, including the MB, CB, AP1 and AP2 irons, also helped Titleist to top the count for irons sets. A total of 42.3% of the field put their trust in Titleist, eclipsing the nearest competitor with 12.2% of the field, and proving that better players prefer the feel of Titleist irons. Titleist Vokey Design wedges, designed by master craftsman Bob Vokey, also topped the wedge category, accounting for over half of the field. Vokey wedges accounted for 53.3% of wedges in play at the Oxfordshire, over four times the nearest competitor with 12.5%.
Completing a fine week for Titleist at the Glenmuir PGA Professionals Championship, David Mortimer, trusted Titleist equipment throughout his bag to claim victory at the first extra hole against a fellow Pro V1x loyalist. Mortimer’s equipment included the Pro V1x ball, a Titleist 909D3 driver, Titleist 909F2 fairway and 909H hybrid, Titleist AP2 forged irons and Titleist Vokey Spin Milled pitching, approach, sand and lob wedges. Mortimer’s victory, with a 9-under par total, earns him a place in the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next year and all but secures his place in the 2011 PGA Cup Team.
A further win for the #1 ball in golf at The Oxfordshire, as well as Titleist topping the count for drivers, fairways, utilities, irons and wedges proves once again that better players opt for the matchless performance of Titleist.
We wouldn't say he was loud, but when we last went on a golfing break with Norman Cilliers, Wales just didn't seem like a big enough country for him. South African born and bred, Norman played junior golf with many of the worlds finest, including Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Rory Sabbatini and Tim Clark. What strikes you is the guy's love of the game and with that kind of enthusiasm it's no wonder he's so highly regarded as a teaching professional. Having spent the last few years at Northwick Park (now Playgolf Harrow), he's now joined the staff at Beadlow Manor Golf & Country Club in Bedforshire.
Norman (pictured with one of his pupils, former international footballer Les Ferdinand) is just one of thousands of golf professionals who are benefitting from having their services marketed FREE through their own web page on ImagineGolfClub.com. In fact, pros can make money from advertising revenue on their web page. So, if you're a pro, find out how we help generate business for you.
The PING Tour W wedge – it’s as good as it gets and still the best on offer. That’s according the team at Today’s Golfer anyway.
Compared to Manchester United footballing legend Ryan Giggs – it’s been around a while but still oozes class – the PING wedge always delivers when it needs to. A fantastic club, and although this isn’t very exciting, still way ahead of the rest.
Coming in at £95 for steel shafted version, the Tour W wedge offers great value for money and will give you plenty of options from within 65-yards of the green. It comes with a range of lofts from 47° to 60° and is also available with a grafite shaft.
If it’s looks as well as performance that you’re looking for then the Calaway X-Series Jaws Wedge is also on the market and great value for money at £79 (this is in chrome, the Dark Vintage finish will cost you £89).
This club has a sleek finish and the Jaws wedges have been designed to optimize the amount of spin you generate and the stop ability within this. This wedge will give you good control from anywhere within 65 yards and around the green can help you generate more consistency.
Another cracking wedge out there at the minute is the Mizuno MP-T10. This new wedge, from the long line of successful MP-T and MP-R series, can give you amazing back spin thanks to it’s Quad Cut grooves.
The versatility of the wedge is great and around the green it will give you added options and most golfers, from low to high handicappers, can feel comfortable using it. You can get one of these for £95.
There are many great wedges on the market at the moment and remember that each wedge will feel different to each individual so it’s always best to try before you buy if possible.
With new laws coming into effect in the golfing world next year, Mizuno have reacted by releasing the new MP T-11 wedge that is complete with grooves that conform to the coming changes.
Available in either two-tone satin chrome or glare-resistant black nickel, the new wedges, which follow last year’s T-10 range is a fantastic looking club with great playability.
The new regulations won’t affect most amateur golfers for many years yet, but this release suggests Mizuno feels that enough people will be interested in replacing the wedge in their bag.
On the new T-11, whose head is grain flow forged from carbon steel for extra feel, the grooves are Quad-Cut to make them as big as they’re allowed to be under the new laws but the club manufacturer has introduced two different types of grooves to their wedges. These depend on the loft of the club.
Their clubs with less loft (50-54°), the wedges will feature, narrower yet deeper grooves that are suitable for full shots. The more lofted clubs (56-64°) will possess shallower, wider marking because these clubs are generally used for incomplete shots, which in turn means the ball isn’t as compressed on contact as much.
On the actual clubface, CNC milled score lines maintain the spin rates in comparison to the T-10 model.
If you decide to change to this from the T-10 model, you shouldn’t notice too much change in performance, yet you will be safe in the knowledge that your club conforms to regulations when they are finally brought into action for amateur golfers.
Titleist, the #1 ball in golf, was the choice of the majority of the field at the final major championship of 2010.
The legendary Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls were trusted by 85 players at Whistling Straits, more than four times the nearest competitor with 20.
The feel and playability of Titleist equipment was also recognised, as Titleist topped the counts for iron sets, hybrids, wedges, and putters, respectively.
Visit our Equipment section to view detailed information about these products and many more from the Titleist range including many that were seen in play at the PGA Championship
Have you come to the stage where your irons just aren't doing the job you want them to? Are you a mid-handicapper looking to kick on in your game and need some new clubs that may make all the difference to your game?
Then look no further than the Titleist AP2 irons.
These clubs are as good as any currently out there and they will give you great shot control offering a little forgiveness too. And being made by Titleist you know that you are getting good quality that will last from one of the game's top manufacturers.
In fact, these irons are so good that Australian professional Adam Scott had them in his bag for a while. Do you need any better endorsement than that?
Well if you do, here's what the manufacturer, Titleist, has to say about them:
"Building upon the high technology design and resounding success of the original AP irons, Titleist introduces the new high performance AP2 irons for avid golfers.
"The Titleist AP2 are multi-material, dual cavity irons that take the design mission of 'Advanced Performance You Can Feel' to new heights.
"The new Tuned Feel System is a co-molded medallion of soft elastomer and aluminiumplate. This insert has been specifically designed to improve the sound and feel of each new iron. For the new AP2, a softer, more solid feel is achieved.
"Other subtle refinements to the new AP2 have created performance gains in feel, sound, and turf interaction.
"These dual cavity forged irons provide improved feel, classic blade looks and playability with shot control for the serious and skilled golfer."
And to top it all off, thse dubs are currently available at a snip of their RRP of over £800 (in the UK) from several respected outlets. So hurry now and give them a try, they could transform your game and give you the kind of ball control you've always longed for.
The new Nike SQ MACHSPEED Fairway Wood looks an appetising club for golfers looking to get better consistency from the fairways when needing it most.
The innovative ‘Square Stability Forgiveness’ sees the weight of the club moved to the corners of the club head, and although it loses some looks, it gives more stability through the ground giving you better results.
It also has optimized aerodynamics down to ground level that delivers more speed off the deck than any other Nike Fairway Wood.
The result of this – explosive distance with added stability for more forgiveness.
Here’s what Nike says about the club:
Speed = Distance
Comprehensive aerodynamic engineering moves air faster across the sole, over the crown and around the skirt for incremental swing speed advances.
Square Stability = Forgiveness
By moving the weight out and into the corners, Tour-proven square technology delivers more stability at impact and more forgiveness on the tee box.
455 Ultra Thin Face
Thinner face delivers hotter response and longer shots.
Ben Clayton is a PGA qualified teaching pro based at The Hindhead Golf Club,a fantastic course tucked away in a large hollow of dry sandy heath called the Devil's Punchbowl in Surrey.
Clayton played tour golf for five years before turning his attention to teaching, working at The Wisley, West Sussex, Wokefield Park and Mill Ride. He now works with a number of pros and top amateurs, specialising on refining their short game skills. He's a key member of the team working at the Hindhead Golf Academy, under senior pro Ian Benson and his all-round skills and no-frills approach makes him an ideal tutor for the social golfer and the serious player.
Clayton was made a Cleveland Golf/Srixon Short Game Ambassador last year, in response to a competition run in conjunction with trade magazine ProShop Europe.
Find out more about Ben Clayton on ImagineGolfClub.
FInd one of 15,000 teaching professionals in our directory.
Visit Hindhead Golf Club.
Having a putter in your bag that you can trust is imperative and today we take a quick look at Nike’s Method 003 putter that has received rave reviews from industry experts and professionals alike.
In fact, the Method range is used on the Tour, the greatest endorsement it can possibly get. And it is another sign that Nike is starting to make massive inroads into the golfing equipment market.
You need to remember that only 10 years ago, Nike Golf was very much an infant in this competitive market and, with Tiger Woods not switching to the ball until 2000, some of the company’s earlier clubs struggled to make any real impact in the shops.
But now, a decade on, Nike is producing better and more innovative products, including the VR irons, the STR8-Fit driver and these putters.
The 003 has a classical mid-mallet design, with a good blend of looks and technology to boot.
On the face of the putter there is the Polymetal Groove Technology that helps to get the ball rolling quickly with ample topspin that, in turn, means it runs smoother.
The putter has enjoyed many reviews where players have been happy with the control they have felt from six feet, regularly holing out whilst many professionals endorse it from range too.
The weight has been well received too, this one weighing in slightly lighter than previous models. The club head also has a distinctive alignment aid and a comfortable grip that make it easier to get a feel for.
This is a cracking putter, and at £150.00, not bad value for money either.
Stuart Morgan knows his onions. An all-rounder who excelled as a junior sportsman, he chose a career in professional golf, studying under David Leadbetter, one of the world's leading swing coaches.
Despite fine-tuning the swings of many of the leading players in European Tour golf, Stuart is not the kind of teacher who blinds us mortal golfers with science. His philosophy is to keep things as simple as possible.
When he joined the impressive set-up at The Grove he developed a client list of promising junior golfers and has continued to specialise in that field, taking on juniors from novice level upwards.
Stuart now runs his own business from Mill Ride Golf Club in Ascot. He coaches Ladies European Tour players Danielle Masters and Elizabeth Bennett and he's had instructional articles published in a variety of magazines, including Golf Monthly, Today's Golfer and Golf International.
Stuart also contributes expert summaries for Sky TV's coverage of the PGA EuroPro Tour.
Mizuno have been extremely busy recently, and they have just announced the launch of their new JPZ Series game-improver wedges.
These fantastic new low range irons have been designed to complement the JPX-800 irons but will work well with any set of game-improver irons.
Designed with high handicappers in mind, the clubheads are slightly oversized which helps to inspire confidence during address of the ball and this also makes for an easier transition from your larger cavity-back pitching wedge.
The lofts have also been modified and feature stronger gradients, starting at 49°. This fits in with the modern trend of greater lofted irons from short range.
Mizuno have considered both forgiveness and versatility with the design of these wedges and the technology they have used helps this.
The cavity back spreads the weight around to help increase forgiveness but the sole has been triple cut for a beveled finish that leaves a trailing edge and rounded middle to make it play narrower to increase versatility and reduce the impact of the wider sole.
Having clubs like this in your bag will certainly help your game. Personally, short range shots and chipping are the hardest part of the game so to have a club which can increase your feel from these distances will help you to improve greatly.
And with Mizuno, you know you’re going to get a tremendous club that lasts the distance. These are thoroughly recommended to anyone who wants to improve their short game or has a high handicap and wants to get it tumbling down.
Cracking clubs for the high handicapper. Well done Mizuno.
In sport, you often get a ‘eureka’ moment that changes the game in one way or another but in golf they are few and far between. That was until 35-years-ago when the first ever hybrid was made – the Cobra Baffler.
This was the first time the long irons had been replaced with a club designed to make the game easier and help the aspiring golfers to shoot better scores.
The idea behind the hybrid was produce a club that is designed to slide across the turf more easily, in turn, making the notoriously difficult long iron shots easier to hit.
The concept was clearly successful as many hybrids now adorn pro shops around the country and many social golfers carry them in their bag. However, it took Cobra’s competitors over 20 years to catch on and during that time the innovative people at Cobra have improved the hybrid over and over which make it one of the best around – still.
And recently they have released the Baffler Rail H which features a four-way rail sole design to allow the clubhead to move through the turf even more easily than before for a cleaner strike of the ball from many different lies.
The face has also been redesigned in the same way as their drivers with 9-Point face technology to increase ball speeds regardless of where on the clubface the ball is struck.
Many people have been thoroughly impressed with the new club, raving about it’s forgiveness and playability from all lies.
This is a great addition to your arsenal and can be used by anyone, no matter what level of golf you play. Try it out, it may be the missing link in your game.
