Super Golf Tips Blog

Amateur Golfer - are you one?

2007-04-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

To an outsider looking in, what makes up an amateur golfer may be confusing and hard to see. Being an amateur golfer is more than a simple definition. If you are interested in joining the amateur circuit one needs to be aware that it is more than simply expanding on their hobby.

First, it's important to note that there is an actual definition of an amateur player according to the United States Golf Association. An amateur player reaches that status first by reaching what is known as golf skill. A player's success at a competitive level is what determines that player's golf skill is assessed by. The level of competition can be local or national; the important aspect is that the player is successful competitively. Once a player has success in competitions and is recognized as having golf skill, this is known as golf reputation. Again, a reputation can only be gained through actual playing and recognition of golf skill. Simply being associated with the game of golf, administering tournaments or being an instructor does not gain a player reputation or skill.

Getting to a certain level of play means that the amateur golfer can now accept the mantelpiece of becoming an amateur player, considered to be a step-up in the golfing universe. This, of course, still carries with it some limitations to activity as an amateur player. One such limitation is the factor of money. The amateur player does not play for money nor accept money on behalf of any commercial organization. This relates, also, to sponsorship of any kind and accepting any credit that would refer to them in the same fashion as a professional player. The USGA has regulations about teaching golf, too, that the amateur player must adhere to in strictest accordance with those regulations. This means that the accepting of payment for golf instruction services is disallowed.

Finally, an amateur player is not allowed to apply for membership to any organization for professional players. Of course, there are exceptions for every rule, and amateur golf is no exception. An amateur player is allowed to apply for an assistant professional player. They are also allowed to enter and play in a tournament or competition that will lead to play in a professional competition. The only difference in play between them and a professional player is that an amateur player must forfeit all rights to any prize monies that they could potentially win.

There are many more rules and exceptions regarding amateur golf play. Basically, the important thing to note is that to become an amateur golfer is a simple task. It is only for those who love the game of golf and are serious in devoting their time to playing the game and improving their game. Becoming an amateur golfer isn't for those who would like to create a career in the field of golf. With the rules of payment and expenses in place such as they are, it would be nearly impossible to create a career in amateur golf. Becoming an amateur golfer is more for a player that has already played competitively in a business or school league and is looking for play on the next level. Whatever the reason a player has for wanting to become an amateur golfer, it would be highly recommended that they become familiar with the rules and regulations set up by the USGA before they take that next step.

For more information on Golf visit our Golf Tips website

PurePoint Golf - Your Special Report is Here

2007-04-03T22:04:00.001-07:00

Hi Friend,

You are really going to enjoy this special report. It's all about
how you can improve your game quickly, just by changing some
important short game fundamentals.

Your second video tip will be arriving in a couple days.

I hope you enjoy the report, and let us know what you think by
sending an email to info@purepointgolf.com.

Download your report by tapping below:

Tap Here to Download the Free Report

Thanks, and have a great day,

Bobby Eldridge - Head Professional, PurePoint Golf

hitting the ball out of the rough

2007-04-01T19:19:00.001-07:00

Have you ever found yourself having to hit a ball out of
the rough? Did you wonder what to do? Well, if you're a
high or even mid handicapper, you'll end up hitting more
shots from some form of rough than any other single type of
lie.

Here's what can happen when you try to hit out of the
rough:

- Grass comes between the clubhead and the ball, making
clean contact difficult and reducing backspin

- Clubhead speed is reduced

- The clubhead or shaft may become caught in the grass on
its descent, causing the club face to twist closed

- Grass in front of the ball can provide extra friction,
further reducing the distance the ball will fly

- The first three generate a lower ball flight, making it
more difficult to "stick" a shot onto the green. The third
one can also send the ball off line.

However, if the rough is short enough, sometimes the only
noticeable effect is reduced backspin. But in most cases,
some fairly universal rules can be applied to shots from
the rough.

- Use a short to mid-iron (5 iron or shorter) to help cut
through the grass

- Take a couple of practice swings through nearby rough to
give yourself a feel for how much the grass is going to
resist your swing.

- Place the ball further back in your stance to promote a
more vertical downswing, decreasing the resistance of the
grass in your swing path

- Choke down on the club for greater control

- Swing hard, and maintain a full follow-through to get the
club all the way through the rough

If the rough is thick or the ball is deep, get the ball
back to the fairway rather than trying to do too much and
finding yourself in worse shape on the next shot.

One thing that separates the pros from the amateurs is
knowing when to swallow their medicine and take that one
extra stroke to get back into position. Better to take a
bogey (or give yourself an outside shot at par) than to
risk double-bogey or worse on a prayer of a shot from the
weeds.

Want to know more about dealing with the roughs? You can
find many more tips and tactics in the new ebook, "How To
Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros!":

PurePoint Golf Upgrades

2006-12-21T10:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a mesasge I recieved from the creator of one of the
best golf tutorial programs avaliable.

~~~~~~~~

David Nevogt here with PurePoint Golf. I hope you're doing
well and enjoying the holidays.

I just want to fill you in on some changes
here at PurePoint that you should be aware of.

- We have remade all of our PurePoint Golf DVDs. We've added
content, more advanced instruction, and more reference points for
our golfers. Not to mention superior video and sound quality. The
DVDs have a new look and feel and are truly a better product for
you to promote.

- We have added a Putting DVD to our collection - entitled
'Putting Performance.' Early sales have been great and the
feedback we've received has been very positive.

Check out the new and improved PurePoint Golf program here

Free Golf Report For You

2006-08-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Wow - Tiger is on a roll - today's win makes it 4 straight! I always feel sorry for the poor guy who is paired with Tiger on Sunday when he is in the final pair. The pressure seems to be Tiger's biggest advantage - he trhives under the pressure and his opponents crumble.

I am not saying Cikes crumbled - he did take it to extra holes - but Cikes did have two chances to win it and didn't. Oh well - it did make for an exciting finish.

I don't know about you but watching all this great golf inspires me to improve my game. If you are you as anxious as I am to drop some shots or prepare for an important golf outing then this post is for you.

Jack Moorehouse has put together an exceptional special report which documents a challenge he accepted last fall to help a student prepare for a golf tournament with his boss. For those who don't know Jack, he's helped over 13,000 golfers drop an impressive average of 7-10 shots from their handicaps.

This student Jack helped was an average golfer with an average handicap that needed to play well below his handicap. He also needed to do so in a a VERY tight timeframe and let's just say that what he was able to achieve in one week was simply extraordinary.

The report is entitled "How To Drop Seven Shots In Seven Days" and is only available to Jack's subscribers. BUT, if you are reading this post now then yes, you get it for FREE. Jack told me he is thinking about how much to charge
for this but that's not a concern for you because you 're one of the "insiders".

Bottom line...this is no wimpy 3-pager. Last I looked I believe it was north
of 20 pages of "no-frills" go-low strategies that can help even the highest of
handicappers.

How To Drop Seven Shots In Seven Days

After you download the book for free please post here and let me know what you think of it.

Hoping you enjoy it,

Note: If you get an error or can't see the page for some reason then please try back. There are going to be thousands of people downloading this report today and sometimes the technology has limitations.

How To Drop Seven Shots In Seven Days

Quick Fix For Drives

2006-08-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

If you watched the PGA Championship this weekend you can't help but
be happy for Tiger. Although as a Canadian I was disapointed to see
the colapse of Mike Weir. But I can't blame him - he was only 3 off
the lead and was not ready to settle for second place so he went for
it. I admire that - no risk no reward.

Now if you are not happy with your golf game - remember our friends at
GolfSmith are having a year end sale that is still going on until Sept
17th. With the new equipment today you can easily drop 5-8 stokes off your
score just with new tools. Don't miss this sale! Click Here
to see what is on sale.

I just bought the TaylorMade R5 driver and can't wait to hit the link on
Wednesday to try it out! In the spirit of getting a new driver here are
some quick fix tips for improving your drive

Quick Fix For Drives

The following adjustments to your position at address are easy to
make, and will quickly improve the striking, trajectory, and
distance of your drives. Really, it will. And if it doesn't, go
back and re-read this!!!!

Tee the ball a little higher than normal (i.e. get BIGGER tees!!!),
and play it forward in your stance, opposite the instep of your
left foot (REMEMBER!!! On drives, your feet do not point directly
ahead, i.e. they don't point towards where you eyes are looking.
They should be slightly spread apart for BALANCE!!). Widen your
stance slightly, and put 60 - 65% of your weight on your right foot
AND side. Your head and your hands should be placed slightly behind
the ball (this insures everything is set up correctly). AS ALWAYS,
maintain a light grip pressure, relax your body and don't ground
the clubhead - hover it slightly above the turf. This is extremely
difficult to do, I realize, but there is a reason. I am not sure
what it is, but it just does work better. This is probably the
HARDEST STEP in this process!!

The grip must be in your fingers, not in the palm.

Combined, these adjustments will make it a lot easier for you to
make a full and free shoulder turn, create a wide arc and get your
body fully turned behind the ball at the top of your swing. You
should be aware of an increase in the amount of coil that you
create which will then enable you to move back to the left side and
accelerate the club through impact with a more powerful ascending,
sweeping motion. Keep your head back (hit up the back of the ball)
and attempt to sweep the ball away without removing the tee-peg.
Work on this procedure wherever you can. Pretty soon you may well
be playing a game with which you are not familiar.

The most important aspect of this lesson is that you are hitting
the ball while your clubhead is going UP!! You should always swing
THROUGH the ball. This is most easily accomplished by trying to
hit a spot two inches in front of the ball.

Proper Balance!!!!

By having poor balance at address, you'll lose power. Take your
normal stance, then imagine: if someone gave you a little push in
the center of your back, or in the middle of your chest, would you
fall over? What if someone tugged on the club-would you fall
forward? If someone could easily push you over from behind (or pull
you forward by tugging on the club), you have too much weight
toward your toes; if someone can push you over from the front, that
means that you have too much weight on your heels. Take a solid
athletic stance, with your weight evenly distributed on the balls
of your feet. Staying in balance will lead to better rhythm, more
consistent shot making and longer shots.

Now get out to the driving range and hit some balls with your new driver!

Golf Equipment Sale!

2006-08-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. All my favorite courses are in perfect condition, The top golf tournaments are on TV - like the Buik Open and British Open soon the PGA Championships. But best of all the stores are now starting to put items on sale at rediculous prices just because they are trying to sell off the 2006 inventories before the season comes to an end.

From August 9th through September 17th 2006, Golfsmith Golf & Tennis will be holding one of it's most exciting promotions of the year, their Semi-Annual Sale & Clearance Event. This event features special savings on over 3500+ products from all areas of their store, from clubs and balls, to apparel and gifts. Savings are up to 60% off their normal prices, so there is ample opportunity for customers to find a deal.

If you have been looking to get a new driver or just some new golf shoes now is the time to buy! I know I will be getting a few new "toys" before the sale ends!

Golf Tip to Stay Cool on Hot Days

2006-06-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ever play when the sun is scalding your brain, and the humidity threatens to cut off your breathing capacity (yet, you still ventured on!! My kind of golfer)? Then, you reach for a towel to wipe your face, and, oh man, it's the same towel you used to clean your clubs with. Doesn't that soil in your hot, wet face feel great!! Try this:

BEFORE you start your round, get a clean, wet towel. Use the clip that normally is used to attach to your bag, and clip it to the top of the cart above/beside your bag (hey, if you are walking, you are out of luck). All carts have a roof top 'hole' of some variation to clip your towel on. You now have a ready made face cloth that
you will not confuse with your 'club towel', and you can moisten as you play. Simply throw a cup of water that you should be drinking!! on it, or use the dispensers that are typically at every second or third hole. It's free, clean, and handy.

golf, golf tip, golf lessons

Golf tips to use the intentional fade shot

2006-06-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

If you're like most high-handicappers, any sidespin you put on the ball is more or less an accident. Your goal is to hit the ball consistently straight, and work away from the wicked slice that has cost you too many balls (skins,nassaus, etc.).

At some point, however, you will want to learn how to deliberately send the ball on a gentle fade without letting the evil slice take over. There are several circumstances when a controlled fade will prove invaluable:

- When you need to get around a corner to the right (for the right-handed golfer). Perhaps your drive failed to reach the dogleg, but you're too close to the trees or too far from the green to try a direct sky shot.

- To compensate for a crosswind from the right

- The green is shallow, hard, or slopes away from you. Because fades have a natural backspin, you might need to hit a high shot that hits softly and without the extra roll that a normal or draw shot would impart.

Before you execute the fade, be sure to visualize the shot you want to hit before you address the ball. This puts you firmly in the mindset of shaping the ball flight correctly and helps eliminate any indecision you may have.

At address, set your stance open to the target line. Line up normally, as if you were going to hit a straight shot to your target, then pull your leading foot back away from the ball a few inches.

Open the clubface slightly to help impart the needed sidespin at impact.

Don't overdo it, though; you're already adding loft, and you don't want to come up too short, since the ball won't roll very far. In fact, the simplest and most effective way to accomplish this is to keep the clubface aimed at your target - where you want the ball to finish.

Take a slow, measured backswing, keeping the club from coming up too quickly. Otherwise you risk imparting too much sidespin to the ball, which turns a controlled fade into a wild slice.

This is particularly true if your normal tendency is to slice the ball.

Don't try to change your swing, in an attempt to hit the ball anywhere other than where your feet and body are lined up.

In particular, don't take an inside-out swing in order to "push" the ball more towards the target than where you are lined up. Just take a full, natural swing, hit straight through he ball, and be sure to finish with your hands high, above your left shoulder.

Practice this shot frequently so that you get a feel for how much fade is imparted by your swing, and how much is needed under the conditions. Also learn how much distance you're losing with the fade, so that you can compensate with club selection.

Need more info on fades? You can find many more tips and tactics in the new ebook, " How To Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros!"

golf tip,golf,fade shot

Golf Tips to Make Good Bunker Shots

2006-06-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

Do bunker shots make you nervous? That's typical for high to medium-handicappers. However, the pros are usually relieved when their approaches scoot into bunkers instead of hanging up in greenside rough. Why?

Because with practice, pros can predict their bunker shots. Typical weekend golfers rarely practice the sand shot, so almost every time they encounter sand it's during a round.

You may only get a couple of sand shots a round and you can't build a reliable stroke that way. Before you can practice your bunker play, though, you have to have a plan.

The standard approach is to open your clubface, aim slightly left of target, put the ball forward in your stance, take your club up sharply during the backswing,
swing the club from outside-in and aim an inch or so behind the ball, trying to splash the ball up on a small bed of sand.

While this can work, it also has multiple opportunities for failure. It's also not very predictable once it hits the green, even when executed well.

If the standard approach doesn't work for you, try the Harmon method of getting out of sand. It's based on 5 primary differences from the standard method:

- Stance is somewhat further back from the ball
- Extremely "weak" off-hand grip
- The impact zone is a minimum of 3 inches behind the ball
- The hands remain behind the clubhead through impact
- The swing of the club is directly towards the target,
rather than cutting across the ball

Begin by weakening the grip of your left (off) hand, then bring your thumb over the top of the shaft and leaving the back of your hand facing the target. This prevents the left hand from turning the club over during the swing and closing the clubface.

Address the ball as if you were hitting a shot about forty-five degrees to the right of the target, but standing further from the ball than you would for a normal wedge
shot.

Now rotate your entire body to the left until the clubface lines up with the target.

This has several beneficial effects: it forces the swing to take a sharper angle on the downswing; it opens up the clubface, promoting a higher trajectory; and it generates more "wristy" action from the right hand, which is desirable in this particular shot.

You need to stand further back from the ball than normal because the opening of your stance will bring your right thigh more into your swing plane, and you don't want to
cramp your swing.

On the backswing, bring the club up sharply, cocking the right wrist immediately. Be sure you turn your shoulders as well; an all-arm backswing will cause the downswing to descend too steeply and the clubhead will dig into the sand.

On the downswing, keep the clubhead forward of the hands at all times, and swing the club directly through the ball towards the target, rather than cutting across it from the outside in. This imparts a reliable rolling action onto the ball, rather than an unpredictable sidespin.

You can think of your right arm as throwing the clubhead through the sand into the ball, starting about 3 inches behind the ball and taking a long, shallow scoop out of the bunker. The sand caught between clubhead and ball will help impart backspin.

Bunkers and more tips and tactics are covered in detail in the new ebook, "How To Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros!

[golf tip],[golf],[bunker shot]

Tips for Reading Golf Greens

2006-06-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

Ever looked ahead and tried to figure out what to do on the next green? You're not alone.

There's always lots of discussion on the links about whether the most important aspect of putting is having a consistent stroke, or being able to read the green.

While your stroke is important, the perfect stroke in the wrong direction is never going to sink a putt.

Reading greens is as much art as science, but whether you have a feel for it or not, mastering the basics will give you the right line the vast majority of the time.

The two major components that will affect any putt are slope and grain.

Slope is the slant or tilt of the ground, and grain is the direction in which the grass on the green tends to grow. To state the obvious -- putts will tend to go downhill and with the grain.

- Greens tend to slope generally back to front, to better receive approach shots.

- If there is water nearby (stream or pond), the grass will often grow towards the water.

- Other factors being equal, the grain will tend towards the setting sun (the west), especially up north where the day is shorter

Usually you can see the slope, but it's often helpful to walk from your ball to the hole generally along the line of the putt.

Your feet will tell you of more subtle slopes than your eyes can see. On longer putts especially, pay careful attention to any slopes near the hole.

If the green slopes away from your ball near the hole, you will want to be careful to avoid hitting the putt too hard. This is even more critical if the area around the hole has been extensively trampled by earlier players.

Squat along your putting line and look across the grass towards the hole. If the grass appears shiny, the grain is with you; if it appears dark or dull, the grain is against you.

A final trick to determine the grain near the hole is to look at the grass immediately around the perimeter of the cup.

Most of the time you can see a spot which appears browner and rougher than the rest of the perimeter (which will have a cleaner cut). The read here is that the grain is growing in the direction of the brown/rough area.

Once you think you have a good idea of the grain, and a feel for the slopes that might affect your putt, you still need to figure out how to compensate in your putt.

- As the ball slows, it will be more affected by the slope of the green. This means that you'll need to compensate for undulations near the hole more than you will for the same slope near the ball, especially on longer putts.

- Mid and high handicappers overwhelmingly tend to miss the putt on the low side. If you're reading some slope into your putt, aim to compensate for the slope - and then aim even a little bit further uphill.

- When you're eyeing your putt, look in the direction of the line you want to take rather than directly at the hole. This might help keep you from under-reading the break.

Still need help reading greens? You can find many more tips and tactics in the new ebook, "How To Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros!"

[golf tip],[golf], [putting], [reading golf greens]

Golf Tips for Consistent Chipping

2006-06-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wished your chipping was more consistent?

Anytime you're near the green but not in a position where you feel comfortable putting, the chip is usually the preferred stroke over the pitch.

Why? Because if you miss, a chip is generally less disastrous. You should always elect to chip rather than pitch the ball if:

- The green is hard

- The lie is poor or downhill

- The wind will affect a high shot

With a chip, you always want to get the ball onto the green and rolling towards the hole as soon as possible. So you should choose the straightest-faced club that will get the ball to the green without hanging up in any roughs that are in the way.

Once you've chosen your chipping club - and you can chip with just about any club in the bag, except maybe the putter - the most fundamental aspect of the chip is to keep
your hands ahead of the ball through impact and the entire follow-through. Never let your wrists break.

Your stance should be narrower than normal, slightly open, with your weight a little more on your forward foot than normal. Position the ball back in your stance, just off your back foot.

Grip down on the club, and flex your knees to get close to the ball. Keep the club close to your body; don't reach out for the ball.

Like a good putting stroke, the backswing and the follow-through should be approximately the same length. Also like the putt, the overall motion of the swing should resemble a pendulum.

Do not try to scoop or lift the ball at impact. Like any other good golf stroke, the club should strike the ball with a descending blow, allowing the loft of the clubface to get the ball airborne.

If the hole is near the ball and you don't have much green to work with, choose a more lofted club and try to land the ball in the light fringe. But avoid the temptation to stab at the ball, or you will likely chunk it and leave yourself
with another chip.

Need more work on that chip shot? You can find many more tips and tactics in the new ebook, "How To Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros!"

[golf tip],[golf], [chipping]

Tips for Golfing in Bad Weather

2006-06-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

Golf is tough enough in nice weather. But what do you do when the wind picks up or it starts raining?

If you know how to adjust your game to fit the elements,you can go for the green while your fellows scramble for an up-and-down par or bogey.

You'd think a strong wind at your back is a good thing, and that when you turn into it you should just grab an extra club or two and hope you hit it squarely.

But sometimes that headwind can be your best friend, particularly when hitting into a hard green with a long iron or putting down a treacherous slope.

Watch the grass carefully not only for direction but also for speed. While a 12 mph wind may feel a lot like an 18 mph wind on your face, the difference on your ball flight will be noticeable.

Don't change the force of your swing based on wind direction and speed. Instead, change your club selection and take your usual swing.

More club into a headwind not only delivers more distance, but the lower trajectory also cuts into the wind and allows for more roll when it lands.

Additionally, a harder swing produces more backspin on the ball, creating lift and bringing the wind even more into play. Widen your stance to stabilize yourself and your swing. You will also gain control by choking down on your club.

Stick with your normal straight shot and compensate for the wind with your aim. Wind multiplies the effect of sidespin on balls; a squarely-hit straight shot that gets pushed 10 feet by the wind might get thrown 30 feet if it has even a little unexpected sidespin in the wrong direction.

What about rain? Well, playing in the rain (never a thunderstorm), while just another part of the game for the pros, can be a frustrating experience for the high
handicapper.

Not only is your vision often compromised and your grip slippery, everything just feels heavier. Balls plug instead of rolling, fairway shots feel "fat" even when
struck fairly well, and wet sand requires a different approach than the typical bunker shot.

Overcoming rain starts with good equipment. If rain's in the forecast, take a big umbrella, several towels, a wide-brimmed hat, some rain pants, a light rain jacket, and a pair of gloves (right and left hand) especially designed for wet conditions, such as Spider gloves.

On the course, take an extra club or two on most shots. Swinging harder will only increase the chances of losing your footing during the swing.

Humid air tends to slow balls down and reduce carry, so you'll want to get the most out of the airtime you do get, especially since you may get little or no roll in the
fairway.

Consider laying up if you catch heavy rough on your tee shot. The wet conditions only make rough that much harder to escape from cleanly, and you're more apt to overswing (and possibly slip) if you think you can reach the green.

For bunker shots, try to pick the ball out cleanly instead of splashing the ball out on a bed of sand. Also consider using a lofted iron other than your flanged sand wedge, which will tend to bounce harder off the wet sand and exacerbate the effects of a slight mis-hit.

Hit putts harder on wet greens. You might be surprised how quickly a ball will stop on a wet green, even downhill.

Finally, know the rules as they relate to casual water, as you will almost certainly be faced with this issue at least once during your round.

Want to know more about dealing with weather conditions or other intricacies of golf? You can find many more tips and tactics in the new ebook, "How To Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros!"

[golf tip],[golf], [golf in bad weather], [golf in rain]

Tips for Hitting Out of the Rough

2006-06-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever found yourself having to hit a ball out of the rough? Did you wonder what to do? Well, if you're a high or even mid handicapper, you'll end up hitting more shots from some form of rough than any other single type of lie.

Here's what can happen when you try to hit out of the rough:

- Grass comes between the clubhead and the ball, making clean contact difficult and reducing backspin

- Clubhead speed is reduced

- The clubhead or shaft may become caught in the grass on its descent, causing the club face to twist closed

- Grass in front of the ball can provide extra friction, further reducing the distance the ball will fly

- The first three generate a lower ball flight, making it more difficult to "stick" a shot onto the green. The third one can also send the ball off line.

However, if the rough is short enough, sometimes the only noticeable effect is reduced backspin. But in most cases, some fairly universal rules can be applied to shots from the rough.

- Use a short to mid-iron (5 iron or shorter) to help cut through the grass

- Take a couple of practice swings through nearby rough to give yourself a feel for how much the grass is going to resist your swing.

- Place the ball further back in your stance to promote a more vertical downswing, decreasing the resistance of the grass in your swing path

- Choke down on the club for greater control

- Swing hard, and maintain a full follow-through to get the club all the way through the rough

If the rough is thick or the ball is deep, get the ball back to the fairway rather than trying to do too much and finding yourself in worse shape on the next shot.

One thing that separates the pros from the amateurs is knowing when to swallow their medicine and take that one extra stroke to get back into position. Better to take a
bogey (or give yourself an outside shot at par) than to risk double-bogey or worse on a prayer of a shot from the weeds.

Want to know more about dealing with the roughs? You can find many more tips and tactics in the new ebook, "How To Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros!"

Wishing you the best of golfing success

[golf tip],[golf], [rough shot], [chipping]

Golf — Exercises For Better Scores

2006-06-10T22:32:00.000-07:00

Like any athletic activity peak performance is not just superior technique, but having a body that does what you need it to do. Toning, stretching, warming-up, and easy weight training all help improve scores on the course.

STRETCHING

Putting requires relaxed concentration, driving mandates strength and limber joints. Start by rotating all the 'golf' joints — hands and fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. Then loosen up that all important neck and spine by rotating the head gently counter then clockwise.

Start slowly, stretch less than the maximum possible. Hold each stretch for several seconds, then repeat until you work smoothly out to the maximum extension.

Standing straight, stretch the arms straight up, rotate the forearms, then wrists, then flex the finger joints. Follow by rotating the entire arm, first one then the other then both together. Reverse directions and repeat.

With elbows bent and hands clasped above the head, use the right hand to pull the body right, followed by the left hand to pull the body left. That stretches those major muscles called the latissimus dorsi. (The long ones running from the shoulder blades down to the waist.)

Separate the feet to about shoulder width and bend side to side, front to back. Remember to keep pressure off the lower back, by keeping the angles shallow until you've achieved athletic fitness.

Keep all angles and extensions age appropriate.

WARM-UP

Start by walking around in a circle of about twenty feet in diameter, building up to the distance around a city block. To elevate muscle temperature, start with simple aerobics. A short jog on a gentle surface, or even a few minutes running in place. Keep in mind, you're not doing weight loss exercises, just getting lots of blood flow to the muscles and raising the heart rate slightly.

LOW IMPACT EXERCISES

Hip Internal Rotation

Sit on a chair with your knees pointed straight in front of you. Rotate your ankles outward keeping your knees and thighs pointed straight ahead.

Hip External Rotation

Same position. Now, cross the left ankle in front of the right and, keeping the thighs and knees pointed straight, hold for one second. Repeat, reversing ankles.

Hip Abduction

On your left side bend the left knee slightly and straighten your right. Raise your right leg straight up, keeping it in the plane of your body. Hold for one second and count to two as you lower the leg. Repeat on the other side. In a few weeks, try adding a one- to two-pound ankle weight.

Hamstring

Extend your left leg, knee straight on a low bench. Keep your back straight and chin up as you slowly reach toward the toes. Hold for two seconds, then repeat on your right leg.

Lower Back

Sit with head erect, shoulders squared on a low bench. Slowly turn to your left, to slightly less than maximum. Reach hands around as if reaching for a seat back. Remember to keep your feet nearly flat on the floor. Hold for two seconds, then repeat on right side.

Forearms

Extending your left arm straight out, palm face-up, use your right hand to pull back the fingers of your left hand. Then turn your palm down and again use your right hand to gently pull back the fingers of your left. Hold each position for 10 to 20, then repeat, switching arms.

Start slowly and increase repetitions, adding weights to wrists and ankles as you gain strength.

[golf tip],[golf], [golf fitness], [golf exercises]

Golf Tips for Beginners

2006-05-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

If you are like me - and I suspect you are because you are here reading this blog in order to find a golf lesson - your golf game leaves a lot to be desired. The most difficult thing for me has been finding a consistent swing that is mechanically correct. I would hit a nice 250 yard drive on one hole and then go for about 100 yards on the next. Following is a basic golf lesson I found that help improve my golf swing.

1) Exercise. Like all games, golf involves the use of muscles. Exercise helps train your muscles to respond consistently time after time. If you have ever trained using free weights you understand what I mean. The first time you try a bench press your arms are wobbly and it is somewhat difficult to hold the bar motionless. Over time your supporting muscles become used to the motion and you can easily control the bar. The same holds true for your golf swing. If you exercise and target the appropriate muscles you will be able to get consistent results every time you swing.

2) Warm up. This is something that beginners often take for granted. Your body performs better if it is warm. There is nothing more frustrating than using the first half of your round of golf to warm up before you get consistent results from your body. Arrive a few minutes early to allow time to stretch and get loose. Take a few practice drives to get your body ready for what is to come.

3) Don't swing too hard. This is one I am guilty of...especially off the tee. The temptation is great to swing as hard as you can and crush the ball. However, if you haven't yet learned to control your swing you will most likely end up will less than desirable results. Give yourself time to learn to control your swing. Take easy, relaxed swings to get the motion down. I watched a tip on the golf channel the other day that said Payne Stewart used to warm up with his driver by taking slow, fluid swings with the goal of driving - yes driving - the ball no more than 150 yards. He felt this allowed him to get a better feel for and control over his swing.

Through all of this you need to realize that no two bodies are created the same. Your buddy's golf tips may not work for you because of differences in range of motion and flexibility. What will help you most is to understand the factors that affect the golf ball. One of the best resources I have found for this is called "How to Break 80". I have posted a book review on my blog.

I hope this golf lesson helps you become a better player. Learn the proper golf swing and keep practicing and you should be well on your way to becoming a better player.

[golf tip],[golf]

Super golf swing tips -How to cut the fat shots from your game

2006-04-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

The fat shot is one of the worst shots in golf. Not only will the ball generally finish only a few yards in front of you, hitting the ground behind the ball also jars your body. Your hands will hurt. And your wrists. And your shoulders. The superintendent isn't going to be too happy, either, seeing those big, deep holes in the golf course.

Most fat shots occur when the club swings down on too steep a plane. Some of this is due to the notion that to make the ball go up you have to hit down--one of the many cliches that only confuse golfers. Also, most golfers slice, so they swing the club to the left in an attempt to compensate. A swing to the left tends to be steeper than it should be.

Here are a couple of keys for avoiding the fat shot.

Keep your chin up to improve contact

The fatal steepness that causes most fat shots can come at any point in your swing, but it often starts at address.

Most people, when they are introduced to golf, are told to "keep your head down." Bad thought. Keeping your head down too far at address prevents you from making a proper turn behind the ball and automatically sends the club "up" more than "around" on the backswing. You are condemned to make an overly steep downswing.

At address you should be bent forward about 20 degrees from your hips. Your knees should be slightly bent. Your back should be close to straight. And your head should be up off your chest. All this promotes clean contact.

Flatten your shoulder turn for a shallower plane

Most fat shots are the result of the "steep fat" swing. (Although there is also such a thing as a "shallow fat" shot, it's rare among amateur players.)

If your divots are too deep with your irons or if you're taking divots with your driver, you need to flatten out your swing.

Focus first on your hands and arms. Try to get them to swing more around your body rather than up and down in a straight line. Practice hitting shots from a sidehill lie with the ball above your feet. This will force you to swing flatter. Feel how your forearms rotate away from the ball, then back on the through-swing.

Another cause of steep fat shots can be too steep a shoulder turn: In the photo above left, notice how this golfer is tilting vertically rather than turning.

As a drill, stand as if at address with your arms across your chest. Now turn, trying to keep your shoulders as level as possible. Keep your left shoulder up as much as possible. Don't let it dip. Chances are you won't do it enough at first. So exaggerate the opposite feel.

[golf tip],[golf]

How to Eliminate Your Golf Slice Quickly and Easily

2006-04-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

By David Nevogt

Here's a really good tip that may help you to get rid of your slice. Best of all, it's really pretty simple once you get the hang of it, and understand why it's being used.

Chances are that you have battled with a slice at some point in your golfing days. To be completely direct with you, dealing with a slice really sucks. It hurts your golf game in many more ways than one.

Luckily, it's fairly easy to fix. I cannot claim that this small tip will completely cure your slice, but there's a good chance that it will. I hope it does.

First off, please understand that when you come into the impact zone, there are really only 2 factors that can determine the "shape" of ball flight.

1. The angle of the club face at impact.

2. The Path the club is taking at impact.

So, here's a few things you should concentrate on.

Try to keep your leading shoulder "down" on the ball through impact. This is called staying strong through impact. Many times the leading shoulder (left shoulder if right handed) flies up before impact. Now just for a minute, think about what that does to the club head when it's in the impact zone.

Get up from the computer and actually go though the motions slowly. Let your leading shoulder fly up as you approach impact and you'll actually be able feel and see the clubface coming from an outside-in path. That’s the cause of the slice you are battling.

See, golf is all about thinking and analyzing your shots to get better. A huge part of this game is understanding "why" you're getting a certain result, and the physics behind that result. Thinking through your golf swing will provide huge dividends if you're willing to invest the time it takes.

So what can you do to correct that flying shoulder? Well, for starters, try to learn to keep your leading shoulder strong. Keep that shoulder "Down" on the ball all the way through impact, even after the ball is gone and flying straight down the fairway.

So, after impact the leading shoulder is still down. The triangle between your shoulders and chest is still present. Most importantly, the body has NOT gotten ahead of the hands. This is a HUGE distinction. As you may notice, the left shoulder is actually higher than the right shoulder. So what do I mean when I say "leading shoulder down"?

You have to envision yourself from the back looking down on the ball. When I say "down", I mean that the leading shoulder and chest is still facing the ball through impact.

So even though it may seem like the leading shoulder is higher than the trailing shoulder, it's still facing the ball at impact. NOT TOWARDS THIRD BASE in comparison to the ball. If your leading shoulder was facing towards third base at impact, which would mean that you have let the leading shoulder fly up.

Furthermore, hand action is huge in this game. You must learn to release your hands correctly through the ball. This means that you release the hands while the leading shoulder is still "down", or facing the ball.

The key is to let your arms release through the ball, while your left shoulder is "Down" on the ball. To do this you will need to rotate your forearms correctly, and use your leading ELBOW (not shoulder) as a hinge. So another way to explain this movement would be that your hands are still moving towards the target, but your leading elbow has almost stopped.

Keep the leading shoulder down and let your arms and hands release through the ball and you will see the ball go farther and higher. This will take a while to get used to, but once it clicks, the results will be outstanding.

About the Author:
David Nevogt writes golf instruction material that helps golfers of all levels reach their full potential and lower their scores. David is the author of "The Simple Golf Swing" which guarantees to have you shooting 7 strokes lower in only 1 week from today. You can find more of his golf instruction by going to http://www.golfswingguru.com

[golf tip],[golf], [golf slice], [golf hook shot]

Golf Club Survey: Drivers

2006-04-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

[golf tip],[golf], [golf driver], [drivers]

3 Important Golf Tips for Beginners

2006-03-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

By Dean R. Iggo

Starting in the game of golf can be confusing with all of the equipment available, people offering you free tips, and the feeling that you have to take everything so seriously. There are three golf tips for beginners that I was given by my instructor when I started, and that has really been a big help to me.

1. Don’t Break the Bank With Your First Set of Clubs

As a beginner, you are not going to get all of the benefits that come from a top of the line set of golf clubs. As a beginner, you are not going to have the consistent contact or club head speed needed. Instead, think about buying a cheaper set, or better yet, get yourself a used set. You may also be able to use a free set from one of your more experienced friends until you figure out which clubs would be best for you.

2. Be Aware of Who is Giving You Instruction

Your friends, relatives, and sometimes people who don’t even know you will think they have the golf tips for beginners that will fix all of your problems. Granted, if you have friends who are pretty good golfers, it may help to listen to them when you are first starting. However, to really understand the game, as a beginner, get your instruction from a professional. Golf pros are experienced in fixing swing problems and explaining things to you in terms of how they affect ball flight. Lessons are available at most any golf course, and even just a couple will really help set a good foundation for your game.

3. Enjoy Yourself

It may sound simple, but one of the best golf tips for beginners is to just have fun with the game. Keep in mind that you are probably not going to be getting your PGA card. Being competitive is fine, and of course you are going to want to continue to improve, but golf is a leisure game. Take your time out there and have fun with your friends.

These three golf tips for beginners can make all the difference in the world. If you just get the right clubs to start, take instruction from those who know the game, and have fun, then golf will be a great way for you to spend your leisure time.

About the Author:
Dean R. Iggo is a golf enthusiast with a single figure handicap. He is also the webmaster of improve-your-golf-swing.com a website providing unbiased golf swing tips, articles and training aids.

Do You Want To Lower Your Golf Score? Click Here For Details

[golf tip],[golf]

Match Play Strategies

2006-03-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

By Jack Moorehouse

If you ever compete in match play events, you need to know how to approach them in order to get good results. If you think match play is the same as stroke play in golf, then read on because I’m going to tell you what you need to do in order to succeed.

Match play pits one golfer (or one team) against another. Unlike in stroke play, in which total score counts, the golfers compete for each hole. Whoever shoots the lowest score on a hole wins the hole. If the two golfers (or teams) finish with identical scores, the hole is “halved.” Whoever wins the most holes wins the match. If the players (or teams) finish with the same score, the match is halved. Match play does not usually affect your golf handicap. These are the basics.

This head-to-head confrontation, as golf instruction manuals tell you, radically changes how you play the game. Some golf tips urge you to be more aggressive in match play than in stroke play. Other golf tips urge you to play your normal game. What determines how you play is where you stand on the hole, where your opponent stands on the hole, and where the two of you stand in the match.

Most golf instruction will tell you that match play is a balancing act. You’re always weighing the need to put pressure on your opponent against the need to win the hole. The player who plays the best under pressure, regardless of where his golf handicap is, usually wins the match. Handling the pressure is not something golf lessons prepares you for. It’s something you need to experience yourself.

On the tee it’s more important than ever to hit the fairway with your drive. If you’re first off the tee, hitting a good drive increases the pressure on your opponent to also hit a good drive. And vice versa. If you hit a bad drive, that takes the pressure off your opponent. And vice versa. The object is to apply pressure as much as possible during the match.

On the fairway you need to be aware of where your opponent is and what his or her score is on the hole at all times. Keep in mind those golf lessons that tell you to maintain focus. You can hit a bad shot on the hole and still not lose the hole if your opponent also hits a bad shot. In fact, you can shoot an 8 on a hole and win the hole, if your opponent shoots a 9. The key to winning a hole in match play is knowing where your opponent stands on the hole and not panicking if he or she hits a good shot. The next shot could be out of bounds.

On the green, how aggressive you are on any putt depends on where your opponent is, where you are, and where you stand on the hole. Normally, if you had a difficult down hill putt, you’d play the shot conservatively, so as to not slip ten feet past the hole and cost yourself additional strokes. That’s what most golf tips emphasize. In match play, where your opponent is and what his or her score is dictates putting strategy.

If your opponent is laying 3 and is five inches from the whole, chances are he or she is going to sink the putt for a 4. If you’re laying 3, you need to sink the putt to tie your opponent for the hole, so you might as well be aggressive with it.

On the other hand, if your opponent is laying 3 and is twenty feet from the hole, you might as well play that downhill putt more conservatively, if you are also laying 3. You don’t want to run the ball 10 feet past the hole. It could cost you an additional stroke or two and, quite possibly, the hole. Always know where your opponent is on the green and what he or she is shooting before deciding on your putting strategy.

Conceding putts is an issue in match play. You don’t have to concede a putt, even if your opponent has conceded one to you. But most golfers do if it’s short (within 2 feet) and it’s not going to cost you the hole. Some players will concede short putts right up until crunch time, then make his opponent putt everything out just to put some additional pressure on him.

It’s also good to know if your opponent is a good or bad putter. If he’s a poor putter, you might make him putt everything out. Chances are your opponent may 3 putt or even 4 putt on the hole, giving you the hole if you 2 putt.

And then there are going to be times when you need a “hero shot” to win the hole or the match. If the hole or the match is on the line and you have a difficult shot, which you’d play conservatively in stroke play, you want to be more aggressive. If you play the shot conservatively, as most golf instruction dictates, you’ll probably lose the hole and/or the match anyway, so you might as well go for it in the hopes of saving the hole or match.

The key in match play is knowing when to be aggressive and when to be conservative. Match play is not about lowering your golf handicap. It’s about winning holes. Where you stand on the hole, where your opponent stands on the hole, and where the two of you stand in the match dictates strategy. Try not to let the pressure get to you and try to increase the pressure on your opponent whenever it’s prudent. And don’t panic if you fall behind early. You can still win the match, if you don’t give up.

About the Author
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

[golf tip],[golf], [match play]

"Golfers-Crush Your Drives and Keep It In Play!"

2006-03-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

By Jack Moorehouse

So you want to drive like Tiger and putt like Ben Crenshaw, huh? Don’t we all.

Long drives and accuracy are a bit like oil and water in terms of a combination but they don’t have to be. Just imagine if you could hit your drives consistently in the fairway 250 yards + nearly every time…wouldn’t that make the game a lot easier…and fun?

Having a good tee ball is critical to your confidence and placing the ball where you can score. We all can get easily frustrated when things go sideways with the driver so I’m going to share you with you some secrets on how to get the most distance from your tee ball while keeping it accurate.

There are basically three elements to being able to get the distance and accuracy you desire with the driver.

1. You must have a good handle on the clubhead and have complete control of it. There are two things to check when dealing with club face control. First, you need to check your grip. Second, you need to see if you have the ability to hit a ball to the left and to the right. If you can do both of those, you should be able to split the difference and hit the ball straight. Now, I’m not talking about being able to work the ball like a trick shot artist…just know how to bend it a little right or left when needed. (Hint: Open the clubface to hit a fade, close it slightly for a draw)

2. Make sure you have good rotation in the shoulders and hips. Power is created from “coiling” or turning away from and then back through the ball. If you don’t “coil” or turn properly, you will never realize maximum distance. Pretend you are trying to turn your belt buckle as far away from the target while turning during your backswing. Also, make sure that when you come through the ball at impact, you are completing your turn to a nice high and solid finish.

3. You will need really good rhythm in order to achieve your best distance and accuracy. Don’t be tempted to make a quick move from the top of your swing, which can ruin your entire tempo and sequence of events. (Most high handicappers make this mistake). You can counteract this movement by developing internal counting during your swing. Counting "one one thousand" on your backswing and "two one thousand” on the downswing will help to create a smooth rhythm.

Now, most people will have trouble with these elements with the driver because it is the longest and most difficult club to hit. It will be easier with the shorter clubs because there is less of a premium on distance and more on accuracy.

One drill I have seen work wonders is to try and alternate hitting your driver and 9 iron when practicing. Start with the 9 iron and make a few good swings using the 3 elements above. Don’t overswing, just make nice easy swings. Then, pick up the driver and create the same motion and tempo. Don’t swing any harder, just focus on the elements. If you can’t hit the driver with the same results as your 9 iron, go back to the 9 iron and see the difference. Keep alternating 9 iron and driver until you get a consistent rhythm and tempo. A great case in point is to watch PGA pro Kenny Perry. He hits the ball a long way with a very compact and easy swing. Why? Because he has great control over his clubhead, makes a wonderful turn away from and through the ball and lastly, has exceptional rhythm.

So, pay attention to these 3 elements and don’t be surprised if you starting hitting them long…AND straight.

[golf tip],[golf], [driving], [drivers]

Getting Out of the Rough

2006-03-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

By Jack Moorehouse

During the 1972 British Open at Muirfield, Scotland, Tony Jacklin and Lee Trevino attacked the 9th hole from the tee. Jacklin went for the carry over the left-hand fairway bunker, while Trevino played more conservatively down the right side. Both finished in the rough, but within iron distance of the green. Two amazing shots followed, both landing about 20 yards (18 m) short of but running onto the green. Both players then holed their putts for eagles.

Hitting into the rough is the most common problem a golfer faces. Even golfing legends like Trevino and Jacklin find themselves in the rough more often than they’d like. But by making a few adjustments you can get yourself out of trouble and back onto the fairway without costing yourself strokes.

When a recreational golfer finds himself in the rough, he often lets the situation intimidate him. Instead of assessing the lie, like many golf instruction manuals suggest, he grabs a club and slashes away, hitting into the rough again or into more trouble. By the time he finishes, he’s hacked out an 8 on the scorecard.

Hitting from the rough—whether heavy and thick or light and fluffy—trips up many golfers—even those who’ve taken golf lessons. But learning how to can get out of the rough doesn’t take a lot of instruction. It just takes a bit of discretion and knowing what adjustments to make.

Thick Rough

Hitting into the thick rough is the more common scenario. The problem is the thickness of the grass. It grabs the hosel of your club and closes the clubface at impact, causing you to pull the ball left (for right handers). The grass also reduces club head speed and takes backspin off the ball. Heavy clumps of grass require almost brute force to get out of.

Choosing the right club is crucial, as most golf tips point out. You need a club with a sharp leading edge, like the shorter irons. The edge cuts through the thick grass, giving the best chance of catching the ball squarely. Try a lofted wood (5,7,9) or lofted iron (9 iron, pitching wedge). The loft gets you airborne quicker. If the ball is buried, try the 6 iron. And don’t try to hit a big hook or big slice. The deeper, thicker grass makes the ball go straight.

Ball position is also crucial: Too far forward means there’s too much grass to get through. Too far back means there’s not enough loft to get the ball airborne. Position the ball left of center (for right handers) with the longer clubs, and right of center with the shorter clubs.

In addition, do the following:

• Take a steeper angle of attack
• Keep your hands ahead of the club.
• Lean your weight forward
• Take a normal stance
• Aim your body slightly left
• Open your clubface
• Take a divot after the ball

Two other adjustments: set your wrists a fraction earlier than normal during takeaway and center your weight over the ball at the top of your back swing.

Light Fluffy Rough

Hitting from a light fluffy lie requires different adjustments, but it’s no less challenging. Like the thick rough, the real culprit is the grass.

With fluffy grass the ball sits up high, almost as if it were on a tee, so don’t take your normal swing. You need to avoid undercutting the ball, which prevents solid contact. Instead, try sweeping it off the “tee,” with the blade of your club barely touching the tips of the grass.

In addition, do the following:

• Choke down on the club
• Play the ball father forward
• Hover the club at address
• Restrict your back swing
• End with a balanced finish

Move your hands about an inch (2.5 cm) down the grip and position the ball farther forward in your stance, which encourages more of a sweeping motion through the swing. Hovering the club permits you to catch the ball flush and guards against the ball moving at address. Choking down on the club restricts your backswing, but also hinge your wrists just a little earlier in your takeaway. Also, stop the club short of the horizontal position at the top of the backswing. Try to end with a balanced finish.

Hitting into the rough—whether it’s deep and thick or light and fluffy—doesn’t have to intimidate you. Just gather yourself and make the right adjustments and you’ll overcome the challenge. Also, stay within yourself. Don’t try to do too much. If the rough looks really challenging, punch it out onto the fairway.

The idea is to put yourself in position to hit the next shot, not cost yourself more strokes by hacking away. You may not land on the green with your next swing, but like Trevino and Jacklin, you might just hit a shot that leads to a surprising finish—and maybe a lower handicap.

[golf tip],[golf], [rough shot], [chipping]

How To Read Greens Like a Pro

2006-03-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

By Jack Moorehouse

Ever hit a putt you thought was going in only to have it drift wide right? If you have, chances are you misread the green. My golf lessons teach that reading greens takes skill, good judgment, and experience. Since there’s no formula for determining the direction a ball must start based on the slope of the green and the distance to the hole, reading greens is key to sinking more putts. And sinking more putts, as my golf tips emphasize, produces a lower golf handicap.

Let’s talk about ball speed for a second. Ball speed is critical in putting. The factors affecting speed are (1) the type of grass you’re putting on, (2) the direction the grass is growing, and (3) the moisture of the grass. Wet greens tend to slow a ball down. Fast greens tend to drift the ball away from the hole.

Reading a green correctly—accounting for how these factors affect your putt— helps you determine not only the speed of a putt but also the direction. To sharpen your skill at this technique, we recommend developing a green-reading routine.

Let’s look at the putting sequence before getting into specifics. First, your subconscious mind absorbs all the factors affecting ball speed and direction. Next, you decide how hard and where to hit the ball. Then, you putt. You judge the accuracy of your read by watching the putt. If it goes in, you’ve read the green correctly. If it goes by the hole, you’ve may have misread the green.

My golf tips stress that experience contributes greatly to reading a green correctly. But I also recommend that you keep the following in mind as you approach a green:

• Start thinking about the line of the putt as you walk to the green. The best view of the green’s slope (whether it slopes to the right or left) is from 20 yards or so away. Standing on the green can’t tell you this. If the terrain surrounding the green slopes to the right, the green probably slopes to the right. If a green slopes in the opposite direction, it creates a basin that collects water. No self-respecting landscape architect will do that.

• Check from the side of the green if you have an uphill or downhill putt. You can make this judgment by standing behind the putt. The side provides the best perspective for this and for determining the speed of the ball. For downhill putts, the low side of the green offers the best perspective for judging the terrain’s slope.

• Stand behind the hole to judge the area around the hole. This area is crucial because a ball loses most of its speed by the time it gets to the hole. Here, the terrain can really influence the ball’s direction.

• Read the green with your feet. Use your sense of balance to determine the green’s slope. It will also give you clues about the putt’s speeds

• Stand behind the ball to make a final decision on the putt’s direction and speed. When you stand above the ball, your perspective changes, as does your impression of the line. Behind the ball is the best place to take a final look. Once you’ve made the decision, don’t change it.

In addition, here’s a few putting tips I always highlight in my golf instruction: watch the roll of another player’s ball, don’t underestimate the break on a putt, and pay attention to the influence of the wind and dampness.

Watching another player’s ball, especially if he or she has a similar shot, provides hints on how the ball rolls. Sometimes, it even provides you with a near perfect line. Also, miss a break on the high side of the hole not the low. That way the ball has at least a chance of rolling in. And it doesn’t roll as far away from the hole on the high side as it does on the low. In addition, a strong wind affects the speed and direction of the ball as does dampness. So factor these elements in. A ball rolls a lot slower on wet grass than on dry grass.

Finally, watch the ball if it goes by the whole. Don’t turn away in anger. There’s little feedback before and during a putt, so you can’t check your reading accuracy until after you hit the ball. Key questions you need to ask yourself are: Did it have the right direction? Did it have the right speed? Did it have the right on line? Answering these questions is crucial to improving your ability to read greens and sink more putts. And doing that, as my golf lessons point out, will lower your golf handicap.

[golf tip],[golf], [putting], [reading the greens]

How To Put Backspin on a Ball

2006-03-19T13:04:00.000-08:00

By Jack Moorehouse

We all love it when we hit that shot that draws back quickly 5-10 feet after landing like it was on a string, right?

Well, putting backspin on a ball isn’t easy. You need the proper technique and the right conditions to do it. You also need the right ball. I cover backspin in my golf lessons, and once you know how, you’ll start hitting it closer to that difficult pin placements.

Putting backspin on a golf ball is like putting backspin on a cue ball. To do that you hit downward on the bottom half of the cue ball with significant force. Putting chalk on the stick’s tip, striking the ball at a steep angle, and increasing the velocity of the cue stick as it moves toward impact also helps.

To put backspin on a golf ball, as I explain in my golf tips, you do basically the same thing. But here, the goal is to “pinch” the ball between the club and the fairway. You not only need to hit downward on the ball with a fair amount of force, you also must make clean contact on the lower portion of the ball. It’s essential to have a clean (or new) club with some grip left on its face and a new ball when putting backspin on a ball.

The combination of all these factors—angle of attack, force, and clean contact—puts backspin on the ball. Coordinating all these factors in your swing is why it takes several golf lessons to learn.

You also need certain conditions to do it. Below are the three conditions you need before hitting the shot. If these factors are missing, forget about putting backspin on the ball.

• Conditions must be fairly dry
• You must be on the fairway
• Greens have to be in good shape

I use backspin when I need to hit a pitch-and-stop shot. This type of shot is best used from about 25 to 30 yards away when you have an obstacle— bunker, water, rough, rocks— between you and the green.

Obviously, you can’t hit the ball on the ground or on a line, like a line drive in baseball. You need to hit a high shot over the obstacle. If you put enough backspin on the ball, it takes a bounce or two and stops.

Ideally, you’d like to hit the green about 10 to 15 feet from the pin and stop the ball a few feet from the hole, leaving you a short putt. Of course, if it goes in, that’s even better. If you fail to put enough backspin on the ball, however, it probably will roll off the green, especially if it is slanted or hard-baked.

I recommend using a 9 iron or, better yet, a pitching wedge in my golf tips. The wedge has a high loft, is heavy, and a large flange, which prevents it from digging into the turf. The divot need not be big or deep. Remember to keep your head down until your right arm pushes it up—a fundamental all good golf instruction emphasizes.

I use a high spin/soft cover ball for pitch-and-stop shots and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn the shot. A brief golf lesson on balls explains why.

Golf balls are available with three types of spin. The low spinning golf ball helps eliminate sidespin, which in turn helps reduce the big slice or hook. It doesn’t carry as far as the other types, but it makes up for it with roll. This ball is appropriate for players with high golf handicaps.

The mid-spinning ball fills in the gap between low and high spin balls. It provides more feel than the low spin ball, but doesn’t roll as far, although it travels fairly far. The mid-spin ball also varies depending on the manufacturer. It is better suited for golfers with mid-range golf handicaps.

The high spinning ball gets more carry than the other types of balls, but it won’t roll far when it hits the ground. This ball offers more feel and control, however, than a mid-spin ball, a big advantage around the greens. It’s the added spin that provides the increased control for the player. It’s the type of ball players with low golf handicaps often use.

My golf instruction teaches students to use the ball that’s right for them. If they’re beginners, for example, I recommend a ball with low spin. I also teach students how to put backspin on the ball in my golf lessons, but I emphasize that the conditions on the course must be right for them to try it. Nevertheless, it’s a potent weapon.

Practice improves your ability to put backspin on a golf ball, but keep in mind that the shot is one of the hardest to master in golf so don’t spend the majority of your practice time trying to master this shot.

[golf tip],[golf], [backspin]

How to Practice Golf

2006-03-19T12:58:00.000-08:00

by Tim Lee

Certainly, the best idea for practice is simply - practice. Repetition of the right technique will build muscle memory, allowing for improvement through practice. Conversely, repetition of the wrong techniques will build lasting flaws in the golf swing, compounding the pesky problems of a hook or slice.

One of the more important tenets of practice is for a golfer to spend about twice as much time on and around the practice green as he does at the driving range. This can be evidenced by looking at most scorecards - we strike about twice as many shots from within 100 or so yards as we do from the tee and with longer irons.

When practicing, it's important to hit a variety of shots. Too often, we golfers fall into a rut of bombing drive after drive on the driving range, and soon the bucket of balls is empty. It's more important to hit a number of shots, and alternate; just like we would on the course. If a bucket of golf balls has about 100 in it, then try to hit 10 balls with 10 different clubs, stressing the importance of quickly adapting to the changing length and swing of the different clubs.

When around the practice green, this mantra of variety is increasingly imperative. Using various wedges, then less lofted clubs, and maybe even fairway metals is important. Moreover, we can't pick and choose our lies when we're around the green. Toss a ball, and play it as it lies. Playing from a tight lie helps build skills in being able to quickly get a ball to spin, how to bump and run a ball, and even how to use a stroke similar to putting with a much higher-lofted club. Bobby Jones, arguably the greatest golfer of all time, favored an idea of placing a ball randomly (like it would be after a somewhat-errant shot), then chipping or pitching that ball on the green, and putting it out.

Once again, the most important thing in practice is the time involved. If a person plays a round of golf once a year, there isn't much time for improvement. There's even more golfers out there who try to go to a pro shop and buy the latest equipment - clubs, balls, gloves, etc. - to try to make them a better golfer. Great equipment makes good golfers out of mediocre golfers; the latter must be attained before equipment can have its desired effect.

About the Author:
Tim Lee owns and opperates the website Golf Tips On Breaking 80

Do You Want To Lower Your Golf Score? Click Here For Details

[golf tip],[golf]

3 Tips to Improve Your Golf Swing

2006-03-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

By Tim Lee

Do you have a favorite golf player? Is it Tiger Woods or Ernie Els? Have you ever thought that your swing looks like theirs? Woods and Els are two great golf players. When you watch them play, you will definitely notice their graceful and powerful swings. Honestly, it is difficult to imitate that just by watching.

Having a good swing needs constant practice. Also, your body needs to be well tuned up for it to perform well. Here are some basic tips to help you improve your golf swing and may help you shoot in the 90s or even 80s.

1. Warm up. Just like any other game or sport, golf players need a little warming up before starting a round. This is what most players, especially amateurs, often take for granted.

It is best to come early at the golf course and take a few minutes to stretch those muscles and warm up. This will make your muscles "know" that they are in for something and that they should be prepared. Taking a few swings in the driving range will also help you get tuned up and perform better.

2. Exercise. This is really important, not only for golf. Constantly exercising your body and muscles will keep them toned and ready for any activity. This will also prevent common body aches and pains that you usually feel when playing golf.

Getting into the habit of exercising, especially tuning up your muscles will have a great impact on your swing. It will help you have a good stance and increase total balance and control on your swings.

3. Do not swing too hard yet. It is really tempting to give your swing that extra effort. However, it is not recommended unless you already have the control of your swing. The key to a powerful and graceful swing is the balance and control that you have, add to it the proper form and stance.

So how do you get to learn to control your swing? Again, it's tip number 2. Regular exercise will, in time, allow you to have a faster, more controlled swing.

Aside from these simple steps to do, it is also best to ask help from the pros, personally or thru online methods. They can give good advices as they already have learned a lot from their experiences. Keeping updated with the latest about golf will also help.

Also, most players tend to be so conscious in their desire to improve their swing that their minds are focused on every aspect of the swing itself; doing that will only make your swing look awkward. Instead, it is best to keep your mind off your swing. Try to focus on something else and the good swing will just follow.

Try to do these things when you play golf again. And do these regularly, then notice the change it will make on your next golf swing.

This article can be freely published on a website as long as it's not modified in any way including the author bylines, plus the hyperlink must be made active just like below.

About the Author:
Tim Lee owns and opperates the website Golf Tips On Breaking 80

Do You Want To Lower Your Golf Score? Click Here For Details

[golf tip],[golf]

Exercises For Golf Strength Can Be Done In Your Home

2006-03-19T12:44:00.000-08:00

By Mike Pedersen

Exercises for golf strength improvement are not done with machines you see in most of the gyms. In fact, exercises for golf can be done to improve your strength without any machines at all!

What that means is a golf strength training program can be done with minimal golf training equipment and in the convenience of your home...saving you time and money!

The types of exercises you should focus on are golf swing oriented. What I mean is they break up the swing into phases, and you apply resistance via tubing, medicine balls or even dumbbells to improve golf specific strength.

Secondly, most of these exercises for golf strength should be rotational in nature, just like your golf swing. Why would you do a regular crunch (straight up and straight down) when the golf swing is rotational? You wouldn't.

You also want to do as many exercises for golf that incorporate your golf posture body position. This will indirectly strengthen all your golf stabilizing muscles for a "rock-solid" golf swing!

I could go on and on in this article, but I'll be covering in more detail this topic in future articles. Either way...I want you to get going right now! Do something to improve your game right this minute!

About The Author:
Mike Pedersen is an Internationally recognized golf fitness trainer and author. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance membership sites. Take a look at his best selling Golf Fitness Strength System at his golf strength training site - PerformBetterGolf.com.

Do You Want To Lower Your Golf Score? Click Here For Details

[golf tip],[golf], [golf fitness], [golf exercises]

Golf Fitness Exercises Can Help You Drive the Golf Ball Farther and Straighter

2006-03-19T12:12:00.000-08:00

By Sean Cochran

This is probably a burning desire of most every golfer on the planet. The desire to drive the golf ball farther and straighter, allowing us to lower our golf scores on the golf course. One of the keys to driving golf the straighter and longer is a golf fitness program. This type of a training program incorporates exercises to improve your golf swing.

An amateur recently sent me an e-mail describing how he is driving the golf longer and straighter than ever before. He plainly states the reason for the improvement is directly connected to a golf fitness program he implemented 10 weeks ago.

Here is what he had to say;

“Sean, Thought I’d drop you a note to let you know I am still enjoying the BioForce workout exercises and I’m getting closer to the goals I set 10 weeks ago.

I still track my workouts and I am encouraged by the progress I see, not only on the chart, but also with my swing. As a reward for my efforts and progress, I bought a new Ping Tour wedge. Why a wedge?

Because I can already see I am hitting my drives consistently much straighter –

This, of course, is giving me more distance and great enjoyment.

And, I am much more consistent with my pitches and chips.

So, a good wedge that will give consistent distance and allow me to try different types of shots to expand my skills seemed like the right reward. The only thing I am unsure of is “am I pushing myself enough? Could you please have a look at my workouts and advise the best schedule for me to meet my goals.

I know I haven’t pushed myself on some the exercises like Side Holds as I should have; the result being no progress with this.

For my initial goals I have 5 weeks to go, if I miss these then Mid-May is the next deadline I have set.”

Colin

Colin, let me first congratulate you on your progress, determination, and results you are seeing. It is because of your hard work and dedication to the golf fitness programs your golf game is improving.

I always like to say; “I have the easy part, all I have to do is teach you, and the hard part is following through with what I teach you.” I tip my hat to you.

Before I answer your question about “pushing yourself”, I would like to make a note of your goal setting. Goal setting is extremely important. I know Phil and almost every athlete I work with sets goals. On one hand, it allows you to measure yourself and see how you are progressing.

I think all amateur golfers do this to some extent. Aren’t we all trying to lower our handicaps, make more birdies, and overall improve our golf game? The answer is yes, and on some level, we set goals to measure our progress. Additionally goals have another benefit.

It provides a “mark” to achieve, keeps you focused, and provides a sense of accomplishment when met. We as golfers often set goals of lowering our handicap to single digits, drive the golf ball 280 yards, or not make any three putts. These are all “marks” we are trying to hit, and these “marks” are essentially goals.

Once the goals are set, a plan can be put in place to reach those goals. For example, if the desire is to lower your handicap to single digits, part of the plan may be practicing at the range three times per week. On the other hand, if the goal is add an additional 20 yards to your drives, part of the plan may be the implementation of a golf fitness program to increase your flexibility, strength, endurance, and power.

I will also say at times goals are not met, and that is okay. If a goal is not met, it provides us a point to reflect, make adjustments in our current program, and set new goals.

Additionally, Colin you bring up a very good point on how much should you be “pushing yourself” on the exercises. We all probably are aware that in order to improve in any task, golf swing included, we must put forth an effort. How much is very important, and this is of the up most importance in relation to golf fitness exercises.

Let me first say there is a very fine line between the correct amount of exertion and too much exertion. Too much exertion can lead to poor exercise technique and a possible injury. Too little exertion will limit the benefits received from your golf fitness program.

A term I use as a guideline for the correct amount of exertion on each exercise is: “Perform each exercise to your own level of tolerance”. Essentially this states every exercise you perform should be done with the;

1) Correct technique And

2) Performed for the number of repetitions in which you can maintain proper exercise technique.

This requires you to “push yourself”, but in addition maintain an awareness of your exercise technique. For example with the golf fitness exercise Side Holds, once you set yourself up in the correct position, you should “hold” the position for the amount of time you can until your technique falters. This guideline can be followed for almost every golf fitness exercise. Another golf fitness exercise, the Jack Knife should be performed for as many repetitions with the correct technique. If you find your technique starting to falter this is the point at which you stop.

To summarize, we know a golf fitness program can assist a golfer in driving the golf ball longer and straighter. In the bigger picture longer and straighter drives is a goal. In order to achieve a goal in the sport of golf, a plan must be put in place. The plan can include golf fitness exercises as part of the steps for us to meet that goal. Additionally, when we talk about any golf fitness exercise the correct amount of effort must be exerted, but not exceeded. Following the guideline of “perform every golf fitness exercise to your own level of tolerance” will help you maintain this fine line of effort.

About the Author:
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com

Do You Want To Lower Your Golf Score? Click Here For Details

[golf tip],[golf], [golf fitness], [golf exercises]

How To Improve Your Golf Swing

2006-03-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

By Dean R. Iggo

One of the most important factors in building a repeatable and reliable swing on the golf course is golf swing timing. In fact, it is the timing of the golf swing that makes quiet necessary for golfers to concentrate. Even with the instruction and tips you may receive, golf fitness is actually a big part of obtaining good golf swing timing.

Just Like Any Other Sport

Almost every pro athlete and even most that play sports recreationally have exercise worked into their training. The idea of the exercise is to help their bodies to perform exactly as they want it to when it comes time to perform in competition. A golf swing is just as demanding as a baseball swing or a jump shot, yet many beginning golfers don’t exercise or train for their golf swing timing.

Professionals spend a lot of time honing their golf swing and its timing through exercise and training, and you can see that they obtain a repeatable swing with perfect timing and cadence. You too can improve your golf swing timing, but not by sitting on the sofa watching golf on television.

How Did it End Up This Way?

The lack of golf fitness in amateurs is not a new situation. Golf has, in many circles, always been seen as a leisure game. The word “leisure” tends to imply that no training or preparation is needed. This perception has led to many an amateur with poor timing or nagging injuries that could have been easily prevented.

What to Do

If you notice that you cannot get good golf swing timing and thus are stuck at a point where you don’t seem to be improving, you may need to work on your golf fitness. You don’t necessarily need to run out and get an expensive gym membership and personal trainer. Instead, consult your golf coach and ask about exercises you can do.

Many of the exercises can, in fact, be done in a couple of minutes right in your office or living room.

Good golf swing timing is essential to honing a repeatable swing. To get there, though, you need to attain at least moderate golf fitness. There are some great books and resources available online for teaching you how to improve your fitness and hence your timing.

Check out my website below for some great golf fitness and swing timing tips, you’ll be slashing your golf score in no time!

Do You Want To Lower Your Golf Score? Click Here For Details

[golf tip],[golf], [golf swing], [golf exercises]