Simple Golf Warm Up Exercise

Golf warm up you say? Aren't you supposed to rush to the course, pull out the BIG DOG, take a few hacks at it and start your round? Is that what you do? Come on be honest with yourself. If so, what was the result on the first tee? I'll bet it wasn't even a par! Am I wrong?

I don't mean to add too much sarcasm in there, but I want to get your attention to the importance of doing golf warm up exercises to avoid those big numbers the first few holes.

Are you with me? Good.

Now let me talk to you like you're an athlete for a minute. Time to re-live the glory days one more time.

Now remember back in the day when you had a game, meet or competition. Did you run out on the field or court and start playing your sport?

I'll bet not!

You did a sport-specific warm up didn't you?

Well why wouldn't you do one before golf then? Ah?gotcha didn't I!

You would most definitely do a warm up. Not just pounding balls either. That's the worst thing you could do. You need to do golf warm up exercises to prepare for optimal performance on the course.

Now picture the golf swing and all it's moving parts. The shoulders are very active, if not the most active in the golf swing. So better do a couple of exercises for that area.

What about your golf posture? Well?your bent at the waist with tension on your lower back, hamstrings and glutes. So you better do one or two golf warm up exercises for those areas also.

Have I convinced you yet? If not, then keep your same routine and expect the same results. I hate to sound too negative, but I strongly believe you need to do your golf warm up exercises.

Here's one golf warm up exercise of eight, that I have put together to get you started on the right track.

I call it the squat with an arm raise:

*Feet shoulder width apart.

*Place club in front of you and hold with both hands for balance.

*Lower body by bending at the knees not hips.

*At the same time raise the club horizontaly up in front of you.

*Raise back up, lower the arms and repeat 15 times.

*Keep upper body very erect.

This is a great combination exercise that warms up the legs, lower back and shoulders all at the same time.

So next time you get to the course, at least do the above golf warm up exercise.

A Valuable Golf Swing Tip

No serious golfer will fail to be eager and maybe even desperate for a golf swing tip that actually works. This is because of the simple reason that a golf swing is the most important single aspect of a good golf game and yet for most golfers, it ends up being the most frustrating, causing many to swear never to set foot on a course again.

Many golfers suffer from back pains, which greatly affect the quality of their golf swing. For others getting a relatively consistent swing is virtually impossible.

All would greatly benefit from the following golf swing tip.

You will be delighted to know that this golf swing tip does not involve your having to spending any time away from work or your current schedule.

The golf swing tip I am talking about involves a golf stretch exercise that you can do without leaving your office or workstation.

Simple golf stretch exercises are the sort of golf swing tips that have revolutionized many a game. Some of our clients who have greatly benefited from this particular golf swing tip have even written nice comments thanking me for the extra advantage of helping ease their back pain problems.

A word of caution here is in order. There are almost as many different types of back pains as there are people suffering from them. So although these golf exercises have had very positive effect on many, this golf swing tip is no guarantee to heal any back pain.

Still there is no denying that the golf stretch exercise done from the comfort of any office has helped a great deal.

While still seated upright and erect on your chair, reach behind you with one arm. Twist as far back as you can go. Twist the other way and repeat. You can then go both ways two to three times. Each time hold for 10 seconds.

This golf swing tip in the form of a stretch exercise usually has the effect of dramatically improving the back swing and the follow through motions. The result is better club head speed and more distance.

There are a number of other golf swing tips in the form of simple exercises that you can do, but you can try this one for starters and observe what it does for you and your game.

Getting The Golf Ball In The Air With Physics

Sir Issac Newton was one of the world's most influential thinkers. He tackled what most people would consider to be complicated topics. But most things when explained in layman's terms become a slot simpler.

For example one of Sir Issac Newton's Laws of Physics states, 'For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction'. In simpler terms, if you run at a brick wall at full speed, what do you think the equal and opposite reaction will be?

In golf we can apply this theory very easily in regards to your golf swing. If you are having difficulty in getting the ball in the air, or you hit "worm burners", or low shots you may be using his theory backwards without knowing it.

What some people may think about how to get a golf ball off the ground, by swinging up on the ball, or trying to lift it off the ground, actually produces the opposite result desired. Remember the law, an equal and opposite reaction. Swinging up produces an opposite reaction, a downward reaction of the ball. In contrast, swinging down on a ball, or hitting the ball on the downswing, produces the opposite reaction, the upward reaction of the ball.

The other factor that comes into play here is the golf club. The clubs are designed to achieve a degree of lift according to the loft of the club. The loft on a four iron is less than the loft of a nine iron. The four iron will get the ball in the air enough to allow it to go longer where the nine iron will get the ball a lot higher for closer shots you want to land softer.

Why A Golf Ball Actually Flies Through The Air

Not accounting for weather conditions there are a few things that influence how high and far a golf ball will fly.

The first thing is the spin of the ball.

A ball must spin to be able to fly through the air. The spin rate is measured in "rpm" or revolutions per minute.

A driver, because of it's lower degree of angle on it's face will produce less spin than a wedge which has a a higher lofted face. A driver may have a 10 degree loft while a wedge may have a 60 degree loft. The wedge will produce much more spin on a ball than a driver will. This is why the ball gets in the air much quicker with a wedge than with a driver.

As the balls spins faster it creates less pressure on top of the ball than under it. This creates lift. As the balls slows down the lift is decreased until the ball eventuallly looses lift and height and gravity takes over. Just like an airplane wing.

The spin of the ball has to be clockwise. If struck properly, the ball actually spins towards you as it flies through the air. If you top the ball, and produce a counter clockwsie spin, or the ball spins away from you, the normal result is that the ball falls to the ground much quicker.

Another factor are the dimples on the ball.

The dimples on a golf ball have everything to do with the areodynamics of the ball. The dimples create a restless boundry of air around the ball, technically called lift. Larger dimples creates more turbulance which produces less lift. Flatter dimples create a smoother flow of air over the ball and thus more lift.

For example the Maxfli 432 dimple pattern is made up of 12 pentagons and 20 triangles based on a icosidodecahedron. Six circles define the pattern and generally this pattern stands for distance and control in a ball.

The Maxfli 408 dimple pattern consists of 6 squares and 8 hexagons based on a octahedron. This is a "crossover" dimple pattern and some of the patterns have the contour of a ball while others have the contour of a saucer. This dimple size, contours and allocation on the ball, contribute to a good distance ball.

The Maxfli 402 dimple pattern (Noodle), has 20 triangles, 30 squares, and 12 pentagons based on a rhombicosidodecahedron. This pattern provides excellent flight qualities. Many weekend golfers use the Noodle because it gives them a better trajectory, better lift!

Taking The Confusion Out Of Golf Ball Compression

Compression, in terms of a golf ball, is probably the most understood aspect of golf ball technology. At one time compression was used to describe the quality of a golf ball according to the tightness of the windings around a three piece ball core. The tighter the windings the better the ball's performance.

Because of the advancement in materials used to produce golf balls the compression ratings of golf balls now only indicate how much a ball will "deform" under a compressive force.

For example if you watch some professional golf tournaments, from time to time they will will show how certain players are driving the ball. In super slow motion they show the driver as it meets the ball. If you see this you will see the ball actually flatten out quit a bit on impact. Simply, the ball is deformed out of it's round shape, compressed, and then returned to it's round shape, all in a split second.

So what does this mean to you?

Most people will buy balls with a compression rating of between 80 and 110. The lower the compression rating, 80 for example, the more the ball will compress. A 110 compression rated ball will compress or deform less than an 80 compression rated ball.

Although most ratings are not standard from maufacturer to maufacturer, most people with a slower swing or slower club head speed would be better of with a lower compression rating, and a player with a higher club head speed would use a higher compression rated ball.

The compression of a ball will not make it fly farther. Some players think that a higher compression rated ball will fly farther. Club head speed rather than compression will determine the distance. In some cases some players should be playing a ball with a lower compression to increase distance.

Using a golf ball that has a compression rating for you will in fact help your golf game. For example most women have slower club head speeds than most men. In this case those players should be using a lower compression golf ball. If you have a slower swing speed and you are using a high compression golf ball, you are loosing yardage. Vise versa for those with high club head speeds, they should be using a high compression ball for maximum yardage.

The Size and Weight Of A Golf Ball

Golf ball manufacturers pay attention to how most weekend golfers play and address those issues in accordance with the minimum and maximum tolernaces for golf balls.

Most golf ball manufacturers are looking for the same thing, sales. They achieve this by customer staisfaction for their product. Keeping these in mind, along with adhering to the rules set out by the United States Golf Association, manufacturers for the most part will produce golf balls with the minimum and maximum requirements.

The size of the golf ball, according to the rules of golf is as follows. The diameter of the golf ball must be at least 1.680 inches or 42.67 millimeters. A smaller ball has a tendency to fly further than a larger ball due to less air resistance on a smaller object in flight, or in other words the smaller ball does not need to displace as much air as a larger ball. Keeping this in mind, most manufacturers will produce golf balls to the minimum size.

On the other hand, the weight of a golf ball, according to the rules of golf, must not exceed 1.620 ounces or 45.93 grams. The heavier the ball the less it is slowed by air resistance, and thus the furhter it will fly. For this reason most manufacturers produce balls to the maximum weight allowance.

Using this information you can check the size and weight of golf balls you purchase. If you are a higher handicap player looking for a few more yards, use the smallest and heaviest ball.

In further articles I will discuss golf ball compression, what is meant by spin, and why golf balls have dimples.

How to Unleash Your True Golf Potential - Part 2

In (Part 1) of this article I discussed how muscle imbalance can often keep a golfer from achieving his or her true playing potential. Even though these imbalances are quite common they often go untreated due to the fact that the golfer is focusing on the symptom and not the cause. The symptom in this case is the inaccuracy and loss of power in their swing. The cause is the muscle imbalance.

Postural deficiencies (imbalances) consist of tight (shortened) muscles and weak (lengthened) muscles. Common golf posture consists of a forward head and rounded shoulders. Proper program design will call for the tight muscles to be stretched and the weak muscles to be strengthened.

In addition, the average person also has a weak core and lack of neuromuscular joint stabilization making it even more difficult to control their body during a functional movement such as golf.

Common muscle imbalances of a golfer:

Forward Head Position
Anterior (front) neck muscles (tight/shortened) - Stretch
Posterior (rear) neck muscles (weak/lengthened) - Strengthen

Rounded Forward Shoulders
Pectoral (chest) muscles (tight/shortened) - Stretch
Rhomboid (upper middle back) muscles (weak/lengthened) - Strengthen

Lack of Core Stability
Transverse abdominals / Internal Oblique (weakness) - Strengthen
Pelvic floor muscles (weakness) - Strengthen

The "Core" is where all movement begins. It is also the controlling force behind an individual's center of gravity. The core muscles support the spine and pelvis and are an essential part of driving the ball with power and accuracy.

Stabilization training increases communication between the nervous system and the muscular system which will result in increased joint stabilization during functional movements such as golf. Performing exercises that require balance such as single leg exercises, stability ball exercises or using unstable surface's will increase neuromuscular efficiency (communication between the nervous system and muscular system).

The combination of corrective exercise, core training and stabilization training will greatly improve your ability to unleash the true potential of your golf game. A balanced posture, strong core and efficient joint stabilization will decrease any pain or discomfort in your swing and significantly improve the power and accuracy of your game.

Craig LePage, CSCS, NASM-CPT, is a well-known Fitness Professional in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and is the Director of Precision Fitness Mooresville. He has been helping people reach their fitness and wellness goals for more than 10 years. His credentials include a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut, CSCS credentials from the NSCA and a Personal Training Certification from the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). Craig has written for Charlotte, NC area Newspapers, authored his own fitness & nutrition program and is a frequent guest on a Charlotte area radio show that focus' on health and wellness. He is currently co-authoring a golf specific exercise book (Play Better, Longer - Golf) and is also working on a book of his own that should be available sometime next year.

Will A Night Golf Tournament Ruin Your Course?

The first thing you have to remember about your Night Golf event is that it is not a PGA Major event. It is simply a different way to play golf than you normally do. With that in mind, how you set up your course is up to YOU! Some ideas include:

? Move your tees - use an area normally not used for your tee box. Move it to a patch of grass in front of the normal tee, to the left or right of the forward tees - anywhere to minimize wear and tear on the tees. If you must use the tees for the Night Golf event, make sure there is divot mix for the players to use.

? Get the maintenance staff out early! - The morning after your Night Golf event, send someone out with a divot mix bucket (make sure they are labeled if you use different types of grass on your tees than you do in your fairway). Have the staff cover each hole you played the previous night - make sure that they have trash bags and ball mark repair tools for the greens.

? Limit the refreshments until after the Night Golf event - Admittedly, this practice helps to increase laughs on the course during the event. However, it could be the catalyst which lets the guard down for care of the course. You might want to think about letting the players have 1 or 2 beverages prior to the start, and then the participants will want to hang around afterwards talking about their experience. In addition, make every attempt to not allow alcoholic beverages on the course the players.

? Take Hazards out of play - Be sure to mark bridges, creeks, lakes and other potential hazards with light sticks or other methods (Candle bags, pumpkins, etc.). Light sticks come in plenty of colors so maybe you use red or blue to mark hazards. As in the aforementioned point, if there is a lake or creek in front of your normal tee box, simply move it to the other side for the Night Golf event.

? Limit your exposure - You don't have to use every hole in your course or feel obligated to start at Hole #1. 4 or 5 of the easier holes that lack hazards and can bring the players back to the club house after the Night Golf event is fine. Another thought is keeping some of the staff available to join groups for the event if they are not familiar with your course.

In summary, just use some basic Common Sense when setting up your course for Night Golf. This will increase the fun factor and the participants inquiring the date for the next tournament.

Your Putter Fitted Perfectly in 5 Easy Steps

Ever wonder why putting is so difficult for you? Want to know how to fix it? I'll bet you're using improperly fitted equipment without realizing it? If so, consider yourself lucky. We've come to save your putting game. These 5 key points will get you that perfectly fitted putter so you can shave off all those unwanted strokes on the greens. Let's learn how.

The First Key:

A quality fitting can't be done without you knowing your proper measurements. To calculate your best putter length you must base it on your height. You will do what's known as a wrist-to-floor measurement. Measure form the inside of your wrist at the top of your hand all the way down to the floor. Keep this measurement ready for future reference.

The Second Key:

Figure out what your posture is when you're putting. Do you stand more upright like a Vijay Singh? If so you will be better suited to longer putters that have more upright angles. Or do you have more of a crouched posture like the great Jack Nicklaus? If you fall into this category you will need a shorter putter that has flatter angles with it.

The Third Key:

Look at your hand position when you address the ball for a putt. There are a number of factors that will affect the proper loft at impact you need. These include offset putters, ball position, and hand position. Are you a player with pronounced forward press? This will create negative loft at the point of impact; therefore you will need additional loft to counteract this preference. If you have a conventional hand position then you will benefit from a standard lofted putter.

The Fourth Key:

What's your putting stroke like? You must consider this because depending on your wrist action, it will dictate what type of grips you need. Players with more of a pendulum action will choose wider or fatter grips to inhibit any unwanted wrist action. A golfer who has more wrist action in their stroke will prefer the smaller, thinner, more traditional sized grips. As these are believed to promote a smoother release of the ball.

The Fifth Key:

Look at your stroke path. Do you have an inside-square-inside (small arc) path to your stroke? If so you probably have a tendency to pull your putts and will benefit from what's known as heel shafted model putter. If you're more of straight-back-straight-through stroke you will have more of a tendency to push your putts. You would then benefit more from a face balanced putter with the weight dispersed evenly in the putter head.

With that being said, go get yourself a properly fitted putter. Every golfer knows good putting is essential and you're leaving yourself at a huge disadvantage by not using the proper equipment!

Periodization Training For Golf

The idea of periodization has been around a very long time for athletes at all levels. The concept is simple. If you started with the goal in mind, let's say it was to win the Club Championship or place in the top 3 in your next Amateur event, then you would plan accordingly.

Generally, an annual plan is used, although it is not uncommon to use longer periods of time especially when working with a younger developing athlete.

Periodization occurs when you break down all of the segments into actual manageable parts, always keeping the long term goal in mind. Your master plan may be broken down into which phase you are in, for example, are you in your competitive stage or pre-competitive stage? This information is then used to determine which strategies offer the most benefit at any given point in time.

If you use a holistic approach to golf improvement, then you also periodize each important component as in the physical, mental, technical and strategic side.

While this many sound like a lot of information to track, this is the very point of periodization. Breaking down all of the important parts into simple tasks you can complete daily and/or weekly which fit comfortably and naturally into achieving your long term goal.

What is the real payoff for you? Well, just like the pros, when you prepare in this manner you leave nothing to chance. You have less margin for error and a higher probability of meeting or succeeding your goals.

To give you an idea of how to periodize a program for golf, first consider your competitive season, then employ the following ideas.

Phase 1 - Restoring optimal flexibility or range of motion in hips, spine and shoulders.

Phase 2 - Choose adaptation exercises where the main objective is to involve many muscle groups while preparing joints, tendons and ligaments for the work ahead. Build a solid base of support through stabilization exercises.

Phase 3 - Build strength. Consider increasing your loads, time under tension and create an opportunity for increased force production.

Phase 4 - Power production. Not you can convert all of your previous efforts to completion of the process where all energy is stored and transferred in efficient movement patterns for the benefit of your golf swing.

Phase 5 - Active recovery and rest. Don't forget that every body needs a recovery period so it can maintain gains made throughout the year while protecting the body from injury.

Making Your Program Golf Specific

"Golf-Specific" means different things to different people. One of the things I have learned from my education and experience in working with elite trainers and golfers is that in order to improve someone's performance you must know where their strengths and weaknesses currently exist. This is, of course, the real value of assessments. If you look at the requirements of the golf swing itself, a golfer needs adequate spinal rotation, hip rotation, shoulder rotation, core engagement, some degree of cardiovascular endurance, and some degree of strength and stability.

You don't need to be a bodybuilder or powerlifter for golf, just enough strength to produce a powerful swing. So, in evaluating a golfer you simply look at the rotational ability of the joints that most affect the golf swing. It is also helpful to look at a golfer's current level of strength and stability or muscular imbalances which have the potential to create injury.

But then what? Well, if you are assessing a golfer who always complains about lack of distance and you find out they have very limited spinal rotation then you just found out a potential reason "why." If a golfer lacks adequate spinal rotation, then its virtually impossible to produce respectable distance because you are not able to move your body freely through this motion, at least without finding another way to compensate in the body like excessive hip rotation or other variation.

The good news is that if this is discovered in an assessment, then a few simple stretches which focus entirely on improving spinal rotation will likely yield distance you have never experienced.

This brings us back to the meaning of "golf specific". If we understand the biomechanics of the swing, then we can look at an individual and determine where they need improvement. With some golfers, a few stretches will produce results they've never seen before. With other golfers, they need considerably more strength. Some golfers are very strong, yet can't move through a full range of motion or lack proper core engagement to keep their backs protected. Each golfer is different and therefore has different needs.

Its Not About The Bicep Curl When It Comes To Golf Fitness Training

How many of you have read, "It's Not About The Bike" by Lance Armstrong? What we learned about Lance's life is that his mission is all about survival, digging deep from within, honoring your goals and commitments, and following your dreams in spite of the often difficult road to the top.

Following an interview I did recently with Annika Sorenstam's trainer, he made me think about golf fitness training at the elite level and what it was really about. That is when it hit me, "it's not about the bicep curl". You see the bicep curl is one of many vehicles to display strength to a specific part of the front of your arm. It is a vehicle in the same way that the bike was the vehicle for Lance Armstrong to show his dedication, intensity, desire to win, and tremendous fortitude.

So, if it is not about the bicep curl, then what is it about? It is about setting up to perform the exercise. It is about feeling the ground beneath you providing a solid base of support, as in golf. It's about making sure that your posture is correct so you don't place stress on your body unnecessarily. It's about engaging your abdominal muscles so that your low back is protected when your body begins to move. It's about knowing which part of your body has responsibility for stability while the other body parts are producing force. The bicep curl is also about understanding that strength not only comes from those body parts, but a much deeper resource like your brain sending positive thoughts and messages throughout the movement like "I know you can do two more and feel the strength from within" instead of "I've never liked this exercise, I feel weak when I lift".

Are you with me? The bicep curl like every other exercise we do is about all of the elements that come together to develop true strength. These same elements are used when we set up for our golf swing knowing which part of our body is taking care of stability while the other parts are producing movement.

You see, in the end, the golf swing is not about the swing anymore than the bicep curl is about growing that popular section of the arm. Golf is about learning what to feel with your body and mind and letting the swing happen as a result.

Next time you go to the gym or perform those exercises at home, remember this. It's not about the equipment. Fully engage your mind, your body and your attention to all of the details that come along with it. This should make a big difference in your results!

5 Ways To Make Your Golf Fitness Program More Functional

Many of the top touring professionals know that winning on the tour today takes much more than a great game of golf. The field is far too competitive to leave any of the key contributing elements to chance. Preparing their bodies for play is a critical component to a golfer's success under the most competitive conditions.

How you structure your golf fitness program is essential to your overall performance on and off the course. Here are some ways you can ensure you are getting the most out of training program while utilizing the strength of your core as a building block for success.

Specific to golf - Get rid of the traditional gym machines which focus on isolating specific muscle groups and require no stabilization work by additional muscle groups. Integrate some old and new fitness tools which allow you to move your body in a more functional setting. These include cable machines, fitness balls, medicine balls, balance disks, traditional dumbbells and don't forget about the power of using your own bodyweight.

Increase Core Stability - More efficient movement creates more efficient power. Golfers maintain an athletic posture over long periods of time and require both trunk and core stabilization and endurance. By increasing your strength and endurance in the core region of your body, you provide both a solid base of support for rotation in addition to the proper transfer of power throughout the body.

Vary your Planes of Motion - A golf fitness program will have varying planes of motion as part of your weekly strength routine. Planes of movement include front to back motions, left to right and rotational exercises. Some good examples include multi-directional lunges and medicine ball wood chops.

Integrate Multiple Elements into Each Exercise - Each weekly workout should address all of the important elements for golf including flexibility, core development, balance, strength and power. Integrated training techniques will develop your skills in each of these areas and produce a whole new level of play. Examples of integration include a 5 minute dynamic warm up, roughly 30 minute strength routine, followed by 10 to 15 minutes of stretches. Each workout can be broken down into strength development for several weeks, core stabilization for several weeks, and power development as you move into peak season.

Progress from Simple to Complex - Begin your exercise program by mastering the simplest forms of exercises first. Progress your golf training design to increase in complexity as your body grows and develops and as you learn proper stabilization of your core region. An example of progression for the legs may be to perform two leg ball squats prior to performing the one leg version.

Before any golfer, pro or otherwise, picks up a club, they look at the capability of their body versus the requirements of the swing. Utilize these 5 tips to create a golf specific program that brings out the best in you and the best in your golf game. Make this golf season your most productive yet!

Women Golfers Have The Drive For Success

Watching the tournament rounds of today's LPGA players is more exciting than ever. Annika Sorenstam continues to dominate women's golf and shows where finesse, strength and athleticism come together to make way for the future.

Is today's female golfer really that different? You need only look as far as statistics from previous years in combination with current levels of play to answer that question. In 1998, only 7 short years ago, Annika drove the ball 246 yards in average driving distance. Today, her average distance is 272 yards. Since undergoing a full scale assault on fitness with the help of a personal trainer, she has gained close to 30 yards in new found distance.

Is she the lone ranger in women's golf or the wave of the future? Back in 1998, if an LPGA player drove the ball 250 yards, she was in the top 17 players in her field. Today, a player who drives the ball 250 yards won't even place in the top 40. What accounts for these new performance standards and how can female golfers around the country prepare for high level competition?

Build a Foundation - Learning how to properly engage the core muscles provides a platform of stability and level of protection from injury. In order to keep your body from breaking down and affecting your golf swing, exercises aimed at restoring muscular balance should be a natural part of program design. As you continue to build foundational strength, you also improve your resistance to fatigue.

Progressive Resistance - Strength should be developed in a progressive manner. In order to get stronger one needs to progressively add resistance over time relative to previous workouts. Strength gains are made slowly, but consistently and you will see the difference in your game in no time. In the absence of progress with your program, you're limiting your potential. Progression also involves varying your speeds of movement as your body becomes more adapted to each exercise.

Today's female golfer knows that hard work creates results and translates to a better position in the playing field. If you are looking for ways to take yourself to the top of the leader board, then place the needs of your body at the top of your priority list to make a definitive difference in your game.

Course Management Strategies for Junior Golfers

Many junior golfers are still in the process of developing all of the fundamentals of their game. One of the challenges faced is how to measure the progress of a player in these basics on the golf course, besides the obvious measurement of score.

When going onto the golf course it is critical that the young golfer have a specific purpose in mind as to what she or he is attempting to accomplish. These "process" objectives can become the criteria for determining how much growth is being made. Some examples are below:

Are all considerations being addressed in determining proper shot selection?

*Wind speed

*Wind direction

*Lie

*Slope

*Yardage from center of the green

*Hole location

*Choice of correct club

*Choice of correct shot

Is the young player reading the putts thoroughly?

Are the swing changes being attempted?

Is the player eating and drinking healthily enough and regularly enough?

Is the player adhering to the preconceived game plan?

Is the player playing too quickly or too slowly?

Are shots being played "one at a time" or is frustration mounting?

Is a narrow target being selected before attempting a shot?

Junior players can work on these kinds of things on the golf course by determining which one or two of these types of items they intend to work on. Giving oneself a hole by hole grade can be helpful. Simply marking on the scorecard on a 1-10 scale or a grade of A-F can keep the youngster paying attention to these goals.

Make sure that these types of positive habits are formed which will help in their growth and development, and ultimately impact the player's bottom line score!

Jeff Troesch is an internationally recognized expert in the field of mental skills training and performance enhancement. Jeff also served as Director of Mental Training for David Leadbetters Golf Academies.

Confidence Building For Junior Golfers

One of the challenges about being a young person is dealing with what feels like is a constant comparison to other people. This is true at school, in one's social circles, at home, and in the golf arena.

What many young people inevitably do during this time of analysis is begin to feel somewhat insecure about certain aspects of who they are. "I'm shorter than everyone." "I'm taller than everyone." "I'm skinnier than everyone". "I'm heavier than everyone."

This type of thinking leaks into golf, creating insecurities about the game. "I can't hit it as far as most kids." "I don't putt as well as he does." "We don't have as much money so I don't get the instruction that she does."

When this is going on inside one's head, it is very difficult to "play your own game". Instead, junior players often try to be someone they are not, try to keep up with what others are doing, or try to do things that are not in their capacity.

Not only does this emphasis on what others are doing frequently hurt a player's confidence, it also regularly impacts course management decisions. Among the common mistakes:

?Unconsciously pulling the driver out of their bag in order to hit it as far off the tee as possible.

?Automatically pulling 3-wood for the second shot into a Par 5.

?Consistently "under clubbing" by falsely believing certain clubs are hit further than actual results indicate.

?Making high risk/low reward shot selection decisions.

?Swinging the club harder to try to hit it further.

The solution to this is to be honest and objective about what strengths and capabilities you bring to the course as a player. This is what is referred to as "playing within yourself". Once you recognize and acknowledge what works for you, you will begin to play the game in the way that is best for you, rather than playing the game in order to try to do what others are doing or the way you think it should be done.

The truth is, whether judging against others in life or in golf, we will always find someone who is better at something than we are. It is hard to get our ego out of the way and lay up when our competitor can get there in two. It is difficult emotionally to hit 5-iron to a Par-3 hole when our competitor hits a 9-iron. It is a challenge to continue doing what you're doing if you see a competitor who is successful doing something different.

In life, those that are constantly following others lose a sense of who they really are. In golf, those that are distracted by others often get lost in constantly changing their game. Be like the best players in the world. The most successful golfers of any age figure out what they're good at, understand what works for them, and then make a commitment to stick to it.

Be the best player with what you have, rather than trying to be something that you're not.

Jeff served as Director of Mental Training for David Leadbetters Golf Academies, where he was instrumental in assisting in the development of the training programs and methodology that continues to produce golf champions around the world. Jeff works with several touring professionals and amateur players - assisting them in the creation of optimal training plans and developmental strategies.

Training For Golf Combines Technical, Physical, Mechanical and Tactical

When most golfers think of the elements of the game upon which they want to improve, the vast majority think in terms of either technical elements or think about outcome. "I want to make more putts." "I want to hit more fairways." "I want to break 90 consistently."

While not disregarding these important considerations, players truly interested in overall improvement of their games would do well to consider paying attention to all aspects of the game of golf. Rather than golf being divided into full swing, short game, and putting, the more astute players recognize a different division: mechanical, physical, mental, and tactical components.

Many seek what they believe is the Holy Grail of a great golf swing (mechanical) or putting stroke (mechanical). This is done while ignoring the benefits of golf-specific fitness training, mental training, and/or course management improvement. The practice ranges across the world are full of players who hit ball after ball attempting to perfect their swing, only to find that when actually taken to the course, the improved swing alone is not enough to produce the results they desire.

It is a challenge for the serious player- let alone the casual player- to make the non-swing related elements a priority. Given a finite amount of time to devote to golf, most prefer to swing a club or stroke a putter rather than work on the fitness/mental/tactical fundamentals.

That being acknowledged ask these questions and answer honestly, "How much better would my score be if I was more physically flexible, stronger, and/or would tire out more slowly?" "If I were less distracted on the course, less nervous over short putts, more confident about my game, how would that affect my play?" "Am I sure that I am taking all considerations into account before I hit shots on the course? Would I be helped if I made better decisions when I'm playing?"

If the answer is yes to any or all of the above questions, challenge yourself to set a course of action to address these concerns, even if it means spending a little less time hitting or putting golf balls. The benefits you receive by changing your practice priorities may surprise you!

Jeff served as Director of Mental Training for David Leadbetters Golf Academies, where he was instrumental in assisting in the development of the training programs and methodology that continues to produce golf champions around the world. Jeff works with several touring professionals and amateur players - assisting them in the creation of optimal training plans and developmental strategies.

Are You Fully Committed to Playing Your Best Golf?

After taking golf lessons and/or attempting to make changes in one's swing, many players have a difficult time fully committing to executing the new swing on the golf course. There are a variety of reasons for this. Some are concerned because of a fear of hitting the ball in a "bad" place- into a hazard, bunker, OB, etc. Others don't swing the club with full commitment because of a lack of faith in their ability to swing it well, and instead end up trying to guide the ball.

The trouble with making tentative swings is that regularly the shot ends up creating a poor result. Here is how the best players in the world handle this problem.

There are basically two ways to approach a shot, each with two basic results. A swing can either be committed or uncommitted, and the result of any swing can have a positive result or a negative result.

1. Commitment with Positive Result--------------2. Commitment with Negative Result

3. Lack of Commitment with Positive Result------4. Lack of Commitment with Negative Result

Situation 4 is the absolute worst feeling in golf. Swinging the club or executing a putt tentatively and/or without commitment and getting a poor result is a double whammy. Here the player is trying to protect against a feared consequence, hasn't really given himself a chance for something good to happen, and had the feared outcome happen anyway. This scenario scores a direct hit on the confidence because of the lack of courage and the poor result.

Situation 3 is only slightly better. In this instance, the player doesn't really "go after it", but gets a positive result anyway. Most golfers in their heart of hearts know when they've "gotten away with one" as opposed to when they've actually "gone after it". Most players don't feel very good even when they have hit a timid shot or made an unsure putt and had the ball go where they were hoping. Essentially, this feels good in the moment, but it has a negative impact on most players' confidence.

For the most part a lack of commitment, irrespective of result, sets up situations that ultimately hurt a player's confidence.

On the other hand, commitment inescapably does the opposite.

Situation 2, where a player makes a fully committed swing or putt and doesn't get the result he'd like, creates mild disappointment. While this is true, competitive golfers know that they've at least given themselves a chance for something good to happen, and have done what they could to create a positive golf shot. Most live well with this, knowing that over time these types of swings and putts will produce the rewards they seek. This is a net positive to the confidence. Situation 1 is the best feeling in golf. It is the situation where one makes a fully dedicated pass at the ball and gets exactly what one was looking for. These are the moments which generate - even for the casual golfer- the kind of internal response that connect with one's love of the game. Getting a positive result in a situation where a challenge was confronted head on is high on the list of confidence boosters.

Confidence can be built one shot at a time if swings and putts are made with steadfast commitment!

Jeff served as Director of Mental Training for David Leadbetters Golf Academies, where he was instrumental in assisting in the development of the training programs and methodology that continues to produce golf champions around the world. Jeff works with several touring professionals and amateur players - assisting them in the creation of optimal training plans and developmental strategies.

Unique Mental Challenges for Women Golfers

The game of golf provides trials for every player, independent of the player's gender. However, for some women in our society, there is a special challenge.

Women in the Western world have traditionally been raised and socialized to be cooperative, polite, feminine and "nice". There is implicit pressure that some women feel to make sure that they don't stand out too much or present themselves as trying to outdo or "embarrass" another woman. These messages can sometimes conflict with being competitive on the golf course.

In stark contrast, men have traditionally been reinforced and given full latitude to be competitive, win at all costs, and take down their "opponent". In the English language, there is a lot of overlap between adjectives that describe masculinity and those that describe a competitor. Time after time men can go head to head on the golf course, do whatever is necessary to beat their adversary, and then enjoy the 19th hole with their fellow competitor.

For many women, it doesn't feel that simple. For some there is a perceived or real fear that if they are too competitive in the golf arena, that they may suffer some social consequences. Some fear being labeled as "too competitive", "too serious", or worse. Some women feel as though they must choose between "social" golf and "competitive" golf, as there is not as much of an overlap as it feels there is for the men.

Admittedly, this is an internal conflict that some women do not experience, as they are in arenas where this doesn't feel like an issue. Others are perfectly content to let their golf development and improvement be a priority- without concern for the potential social ramifications.

Gratefully, society continues to move toward embracing the notion that a woman can be both competitive and feminine. However, for the women for whom this inner conflict exists, it is often helpful to recognize this clash and resolve to be purposeful about coming to peace with it.

What is your goal for your game? Is it more socially related? Is it more competitively related? Are there times when one takes priority over the other? Clarifying this objective in advance of the day at the club or course can help keep things in perspective and help goals be met more easily. At the very least it can help create an internal environment that feels less confused, thus allowing the game to be one that is more enjoyable and pleasurable.

Jeff Troesch, MA, LMHC is an internationally recognized expert in the mental side of golf. As the former Director of Sport Psychology for the David Leadbetter Golf Academies, Jeff has worked with thousands of golfers nationwide and brings a wealth of experience to seasoned golf professionals as well as the recreational golf lover.

Online Golf Program Features and Benefits

There are many features and benefits to look for when it comes to choosing an online golf program over a personal golf trainer who charges by the hour or lesson. In this article, I will focus on the most important benefits. I will be discussing what you should be looking for when choosing an online golf program and the many benefits of working with an online golf trainer.

What to look for in an online golf program

You should try to find a program that is comprehensive in nature. The golf program should be able to effectively teach you how to improve your golfing techniques, mechanics and consistency of your game. To be able to consistently hit the ball properly every time! But, it is not enough just to join a program that only focuses on golf. To be the best golfer that you can possibly be, you need to perform the proper exercises and follow proper nutrition as well. Golf specific exercises will allow you to improve your golf swing and hitting distance. Exercising will also improve your flexibility, prevent injuries, make you feel healthier and increase your strength. By strength we mean not muscle mass but power because if you get too bulky, it will hinder your swing.

Convenience

An online golf program allows you to access the program any time you want, no matter where you are. You may be at your office or job and looking for a break to take your mind off work. Or you may be travelling and have some free time in your hotel. In all these situations, you could easily access the online golf program and continue from where you last left the site. Compared to a personal golf trainer with whom you have to be on the course at a specific time. What if a meeting suddenly comes up? Well you have to cancel. With online golf programs, you dictate when you want to learn or improve your golf game and not the other way around.

Online golf program versus personal golf trainer

Paying a golf trainer can get very expensive and you may not be able to remember everything they said during the lesson. Online golf programs are extremely inexpensive and offer many more additional benefits. Information on a particular topic can be accessed whenever you wish. Information can be viewed in written form as well as diagrams. Most importantly it should also have online video demonstrations. With online videos you can get a better visual representation of particular golf swings or exercises for golfers. You could even go through the motions along with the specific videos. Sort of like having a live golf trainer whenever you want, wherever you may be.

The golf program should be able to allow you to contact them via email or other form of online communication when you need help or have a specific question.

One of the many added benefits of online programs is that software is often provided free of charge such as game tracking software.

Nutrition and health

To be the best golfer you can be, you must be healthy so it is important that the program be able to provide nutritional or weight loss advice and proper golf exercises to prevent injuries from occurring.

Online Community

Interactivity with other golfers, be they amateurs or professionals, is an important aspect for learning on the Internet. To improve your golfing game or just make new friends, you may wish to be in contact with other golfers. Look for a program with a discussion forum or any form of online golfing community.

Conclusion

Joining a quality online golf program is like having 24/7 access to a golf fitness trainer, golf psychologist, sports medicine expert and golf nutrition expert. This article discusses just some of the key points that I feel are important when looking for golfing instruction. I emphasized that the program you join should be comprehensive incorporating golf specific instruction as well as golf specific exercises and nutritional advice. One program I feel that fits all this criteria is the Golf Trainer's online golf program which can be found here because Mike Pederson's golf program is comprehensive and covers every facet of the game. He has been a certified fitness professional for over 20 years and has worked with golfers exclusively for the past 9 years.

How to Unleash Your True Golf Potential (Part 1)

Time and time again we see today's golfers out on the driving range trying to better their game. Whether it's working their short game or driving the long ball, hours upon hours are spent on trying to master proper technique in order to take strokes off their game. What most golfers are unaware of is that the proper technique they are striving for is often hampered by something call muscle imbalance. Muscle imbalances are postural deficiencies that will cause faulty movement patterns, discomfort or even pain during activities such as a golf swing.

Muscle imbalances can be caused by many other factors besides golf, for example sedentary lifestyle, occupation, and injury just to name a few. Repetitive movements such as a golf swing can cause muscles on one side of the body to tighten while the apposing muscles become weak and lengthened. This will often result in the loss of power and accuracy in a golfers swing. For a golfer to achieve his or her true potential, one must correct these imbalances that are hampering their ability to perform proper technique.

Muscle balance can be achieved through a method of exercise called Corrective Exercise. This type of exercise program focus' on identifying and correcting both tight (short) muscles and lengthened (weak) muscles through a series of strengthening and flexibility exercises. Achieving muscle balance will result in a strong balanced posture and allow the body to perform at an optimal performance level (increased power and accuracy).

When hiring a fitness professional to improve your golf game ask them if they are experienced on the topic of corrective exercise. A complete evaluation should be performed to identify your areas of need.

In Part 2 of this article, I will discuss the common muscle imbalances associated with the game of golf and the exercise techniques needed to correct them.

Craig LePage, CSCS, NASM-CPT

Craig is a well-known Fitness Professional in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and is the Director of Precision Fitness Mooresville. He has been helping people reach their fitness and wellness goals for more than 10 years. His credentials include a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut, CSCS credentials from the NSCA and a Personal Training Certification from the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). Craig has written for Charlotte, NC area Newspapers, authored his own fitness & nutrition program and is a frequent guest on a Charlotte area radio show that focus' on health and wellness. He is currently co-authoring a golf specific exercise book (Play Better, Longer - Golf) and is also working on a book of his own that should be available sometime next year.

Myrtle Beach Tee Times - A Quick Glance

Planning a golf vacation in Myrtle Beach? Here are six things to know before planning your next golf outing to the Grand Strand.

Flights - Golfers vacationing in Myrtle Beach can choose to tee off during AM or PM flights. Usually the morning flights run from 7 AM until 9 PM. Afternoon flights generally run from 9:30 AM until Noon. During daylight savings time the afternoon flight often is extended until 2:30.

Double Teeing - Most courses along the Grand Strand follow the practice of double teeing. Golfers tee off on either the first or tenth tee box. Courses do this for the obvious reason of getting more golfers on the course each day which brings in more money. Of course, this also gives golfers a nice little pit stop after the first nine. The few single-tee golf courses usually provide golfers beverage carts and a restroom at the turn.

Tee Time Intervals - Expect slow play during the busy seasons. The reason for this is more than an abundance of golfers. Most Myrtle Beach golf courses only give golfers eight minutes between groups. This often produces the same effect as hitting your brakes on a crowded freeway - gridlock.

Rates - As stated earlier, rates fluctuate all over the board during the various golf seasons in Myrtle Beach. One thing that is standard about these rates is morning versus afternoon costs. Generally, morning tee times in Myrtle Beach cost about 30% more than afternoon flights.

Replays - Most Grand Strand golf courses offer discounted replay rates. Availability depends upon the season. Make sure to specify that you would like a replay and replay rate before you tee off in the morning. During the slow seasons, many golf courses will let you play again at no cost. Whenever you inquire about replay rates, make sure to also inquire about cart fees.

Singles - Are you a single in need of tee times? Always call the golf course a day early. You might luck out and get paired up with a group the following day. Otherwise, you'll be told to show up in the morning and wait for a group that needs one golfer.

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Golf Gifts: For the Experienced Golfer

Whether it be Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Christmas, birthday, or any other gift giving occassion, a golf gift for an experienced player is a sure winner, if it's the RIGHT gift.

Let me start by saying that experienced golfers and novice golfers are two entirely different players with different wants and needs when it comes to their golf games. The experienced golfer has been playing for quit some time and probably has developed personal preferences in the types of balls, clubs and equipment he or she uses while playing.

Purchasing a set of new clubs for an experienced player might be a nice idea. However, you would definitely want them to be involved in the selection and buying process. You want to be sure they are even in the market for a new set of clubs, and that they get the right clubs. Many experienced or good golfers become very attached to their clubs, or very selective when purchasing a new set. Also, many experienced golfers have clubs "fitted" for their body style and game, so they need to be included the process of buying the clubs. You wouldn't want to purchase them a set of clubs that they would never use, or that are not appropriate for their level of play.

Golf balls are always a welcome gift, provided they are the right brand and type. Many experienced golfers are as selective with their golf balls as they are with their clubs. You can easily find out what ball they play through general conversation, or from someone who knows them or their golf game quite well. Again, purchasing an experienced golfer the wrong brand or type of ball would just be foolish, they would never use them, except maybe for practice.

Golf bags, shoes, and apparel are all items that a golfer may want and need, but they may have a personal preference when it comes to these items as well. Your best bet here may be a gift certificate at a golf store or proshop.

Stay away from any of the golf gadgets, trinkets, items to hang on their bag, silly golf hats, etc. They probably have received similar items in the past, and may no longer find these items as cute, or as humorous, the second time around. Also avoid things like instructional books, videos, and swing trainers. They have already been exposed to most of these items, and not knowing their level of play, you really can't be sure if any of these items would even benefit their game.

So, what do you get them? A gift certificate for a round of golf at a course they would like to play, or regularly play, is a good gift. A gift certificate at a golf or pro shop that they can use for either lessons or equipment (balls, clubs, apparel, gloves, etc.) A golf trip to a well know resort is a great gift. Tickets to PGA event is also a great gift. They might also enjoy a good book on golf courses, golf history, golf stories, or on any one of the many great players of the game.

Of course, it all depends on your budget. The potential for gift ideas is endless. Golf is an extremely popular sport, and golfers worldwide are spending millions playing the game. Any gift, appropriate for experienced player, would be welcomed, used, and enjoyed. (If it's the RIGHT gift!.) Remember, it is the thought that counts.

Top of the Mountain: The Masters, Augusta, GA

If you're a stockbroker, the center of the world is New York. If you are a commodities trader, it's Chicago.

But if you're a golfer, the center of the world is?a little further south.

"You actually feel it when you step onto the course" says Brian Montgomery, who has been to every Masters for the last decade. "It's like being in an art museum or a history museum-and if you really live for golf, this isn't just church, it's St. Peters Cathedral on Christmas Eve."

For as those who have walked the course will tell you, there is no place like Augusta.

"It's pristine, not like other tournaments, no paper, no advertising, just green everywhere and So perfect. I mean, you see it on TV, and you think, I could do that, then you see the course and you think: "Par Four?!? FOUR?!? That's like a?NINE. And these guys come out and do it in four and it's just amazing."

Masters week is divided into two parts. The first three days are the practice rounds. This just gives the golfers a chance to relax, get their swings loose after a plane trip and plan a strategy for the course.

Said one recent attendee "I love the practice rounds-The players are out there and they're just more relaxed-they are joking with the crowd, I've even seen people get pictures with players."

But after the practice rounds end, the atmosphere changes. "On the first day, it's just VERY serious. For most players this is the biggest event there ever was or will be, so every shot is a serious shot."

"I live for this," says Montgomery "I saw Crenshaw win the week after Harvey (Penick, his mentor) died, I saw Tiger Get his first, and it's not just that history gets made here some years, it gets made here every year."

Golf Grub

GOLO GOLF GRUB
Fuel for the golfer.

"A good diet can not make an average athlete great, but a poor diet can make a great athlete average."
-David Costill, Ball State University, Indiana

Golf is a lifetime sport that both men and women of all ages enjoy participating in. However, for the competitive golfer, it is a test of the athlete's physical and mental endurance. While equipment and physical fitness are important to the game, a balanced diet is often the most overlooked aspect that all serious golfers must consider.

DEFINING A BALANCED DIET

For golfers, a balanced diet begins with eating at least 50% of your total caloric intake from carbohydrates such as whole grains, breads, pastas, rice, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred energy source during activity. It fuels the brain and nervous system, preserves protein while helping to burn fat. Consuming carbohydrates during activity helps maintain blood glucose levels, allowing the golfer to have improved concentration.

Protein is another important macronutrient to incorporate into the balanced diet. Have 6 to 8 ounces of protein daily, and choose lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, round or loin cuts of beef, beans or legumes. Protein is needed for growth and repair of muscles, and helps regulate body processes as enzymes and hormones.

Fat is the final macronutrient in the balanced diet. Fat, like carbohydrate, provides fuel for working muscles, but it is a more concentrated fuel source. Recommended fat intake is the same for athletes as for all healthy people - no more than 30% of your total calories coming from fat. This is approximately 4-5 servings of fat (based on 2000 calories). One serving of fat equals 1 teaspoon of oil or margarine, 6 nuts, or 2 teaspoons of peanut butter.

FILL UP ON FLUIDS

Hydration is an imperative component in the successful golfers game. Consuming adequate fluids before, during and after playing golf is beneficial. Even a slight decrease in bodyweight due to dehydration can affect your performance and result in fatigue & mental dullness. Consume approximately 8 oz of fluid before tee time. While golfing consume 4-8 oz of fluid every15-20 minutes or at every hole. If celebrating with alcoholic beverages is planned at the 19th hole, alternate fluid (nonalcoholic) with alcoholic drinks. Alcohol acts as a diuretic and actually increases fluid loss, so it is not a good choice for the replacement of fluids lost during the round of golf.

To help your performance try these nutrition tips as you eat for "peak performance!"

BEFORE THE MORNING ROUND

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1 banana or 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup skim milk or 1 cup nonfat yogurt
• 2 slices whole-wheat toast
• 2 teaspoons margarine

AFTER THE 9TH HOLE

• 12 ounces Sports Drink
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter and crackers
• or
• 1 piece of fruit
• or
• 1 granola or cereal bar

POST GAME

• Don't forget to re-hydrate as mentioned above!
• 3-4 ounces grilled chicken breast
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 cup steamed broccoli
• 1 cup mixed greens salad
• 2 teaspoons low fat dressing
• 1 cup fruit salad

These are just a few tips to jump start proper fueling as an important and integral part of your training program. Each athlete is unique and has different training schedules, food preferences, lifestyle factors, and weight concerns.

Improve your Golf Game by Learning The Secrets of The Golf Club Grip

Grips are the least expensive yet one of the most important parts of a golf club. Remember, the grip is the only part of the clubs that you make contact with, so it's extremely important to make sure that you have the right size and the right quality of material. If you use a club grip that is too small, there is a good chance that the club will twist towards the target just before impact and cause the clubface to be closed. This often happens when the golfer unconsciously grips harder just before impact, resulting in the twist. If you use a club grip that is too big for you, your physical grip will often break loose at an off center impact causing the club face to be open

OK, so what grips are right for you? Believe it or not, that depends more that just how big your hands are! Hand size, which is easy to measure, will determine the final grip size that you should have on your club. The size of your golf glove is an easy way to tell how big your grip should be. Basically grips come in Ladies size, which is also a Men's small. Then there is regular, and midsize, and jumbo.

But here's SECRET number ONE about grips!! Grips have an internal core that is different between styles of grips!! And here's SECRET NUMBER TWO - the end of the golf shaft comes in different dimensions between styles of shafts!! What this means is that even if your golf glove size determines you need a particular grip size, you can still go wrong if you put that size with a smaller inner core on a shaft with a large outside dimension. So you see, it's the combination of golf core size and shaft OD that REALLY determines the final true size of the grip!!!

You'd be amazed at how many golf club makers sell people clubs without even MENTIONING the grip! And you'll find that most (if not all) of the "click and ship" websites don't even take core size and shaft OD into consideration AT ALL!! They just ask you how big your glove is, and then stick a cheap grip on the end of the shaft and that's it. PLEASE don't let this happen, because you'll pay for it in your golf game!!

Last, but certainly not least, you need to understand a very important piece of advice - CHANGE YOUR GOLF GRIPS OFTEN. Over time, grips will oxidize, harden, get slick and LOSE THEIR GRIP (sometimes called tacki-ness), especially if you keep your clubs in the truck of you car (which we don't recommend by the way). You should remember to re-grip your clubs often - it will improve your game. Change your grips at least twice each season if you are an average weekend golfer. Does that sound like a lot to you? Did you know that some of the pros change their grips every week? So change your grips and change your game.

The 5 Keys To A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE Golf Pre Shot Routine You Can Learn Immediately

What I'm about to disclose to you in this article is an easy to follow, 'Step-By-Step' formula to having a highly effective pre shot routine. Every golfer knows that this is a key element of their golf swing that must be executed effectively.

I know from experience that without one you will never become that quality player you dream of being. Take my advice; it will make a world of difference in your confidence and your scores. So let's jump into it and get you that powerful pre shot routine you've always wanted.

Step #1
The first thing you should do is take a step back and line yourself up behind the ball looking towards the hole. Then we need you to take a deep breath and focus. You have to try and envision the shot you want to play from that position. Give yourself a mental picture of what you want to happen. This is critical to the success of any shot. If you don't know what to do in your mind you can't physically execute what you want.

Step #2
Now that you know the type of shot to hit, you have to figure out what club to hit it with. This is known as picking your club. Since you can attain the same result many different ways, always play to your strengths. If you prefer to hit a hard aggressive 7 iron instead of a laid off light 6 iron, then that's the shot you should hit.

Step #3
After you've picked your club you have to pick your target to aim at. If you're hitting a tee shot, pick a spot like a tall tree or building in the distance past the fairway. Make sure it is in line with the shot down the fairway that you want to hit. Do the same with your approach shots by picking a target past the green or the flag in the distance. Next we want you to pick a spot in front of the ball about 6-12 inches that is in line with your target in the distance. This spot will be used to line up your clubface.

Step #4
We are now going to make our practice swing. This can be done either while you are still behind the ball, or you can step up beside the ball. The idea at this moment is to practice and feel the swing you want to make. If you envision a high cut shot, then practice a high cut swing. If you see a low punch, then practice a punch swing. This helps your body do what your mind sees.

Step #5
Finally we are going to address the ball. This meaning that we are going to step up to the ball and get ready to hit the shot. This is important because you must be totally committed to your shot by now. You can do whatever you want to make yourself comfortable. Some people waggle the club, bounce with their knees, or take a deep breath. Do whatever works for you. Put the club on the ground, line it up with your target, and get ready to pull the trigger.

Well, there you have it, "The 5 'Keys' to a Highly Effective golf pre shot routine you can learn immediately".

The best way to learn it is to use it the next time you play. Make a concise effort to do the steps outlined above and you will see how quickly it becomes a habit.

Myrtle Beach Golf Packages - What to Know Before You Go

There is a lot of money in the Myrtle Beach golf package market. Unfortunately, like any other opportunity, this can bring out scam artists and bad business practices.

Don't get stuck with hidden charges on your golf packages. Myrtle Beach discount golf package resellers don't always have your best interest in mind. Here are five things to be aware of before booking your next golf package to Myrtle Beach.

The first two items come in the form of hidden fees. Myrtle Beach is getting a bad reputation among visiting golfers because of these hidden fees and surcharges. This was one of the biggest complaints noted in a recent local newspaper's article.

1) Cart Fees - The golf courses require them. Most golf packages leave them out. Hidden golf cart fees top the list of complaints for most golfers visiting the Grand Strand. Many Myrtle Beach golf package resellers keep the $20 or $30 dollars and pass along the fees to vacationing golfers. Ask up front whether or not cart fees are included. If not, demand it or do your business elsewhere.

2) Course Surcharges - Many golf packages allow golfers to "upgrade" to better courses. This fee is normal in the Myrtle Beach golf market. However, many golf packages up sell visitors on better golf courses. Then, after paying more, the vacationing golfer plays a course that is no better or sometimes worse than the original one. Do your homework before paying a surcharge to play a better golf course.

These next two problems often occur with Myrtle Beach golf package resellers that do not know the local market. Any website can put Myrtle Beach on their logo and sell packages from locations all over the world. Only deal with companies that have local market ties and local market knowledge.

3) Golf Tour - The Grand Strand golf area covers approximately 80 miles. Often these fulfillment centers sell Myrtle Beach golf packages that have you driving more than golfing. They don't care how long the trip is as long as they make an extra profit. Make sure to know the distances between your accommodations and your golf courses on your next golf vacation.

4) Course Conditions - Golf packagers with no local ties do not know what the course conditions are like in Myrtle Beach. These companies rely on dated information and have no idea about yearly maintenance schedules. Getting tee times at a lower rung course is bad enough. Don't compound the problem with horrible course conditions. What is the solution? Contact the Myrtle Beach golf courses yourself and ask them about their maintenance schedule and course conditions. Or, stick with a golf packager that has local market knowledge.

Do you need a golf package? This is definitely something to consider. Myrtle Beach has over 120 golf courses and they are not always sold out.

5) Buyers Market - During some times of the year there are more golf courses than golfers. This gives you an edge. It also gives you a reason to consider booking tee times separately. Summer and winter are slower than spring and fall. However, you can sometimes get a better deal booking tee times yourself even in the busy months. Do your research and investigate options instead of blindly buying golf packages.

Remember, golf deals always look great on paper. If your Myrtle Beach golf package is far below the cost of other deals, don't expect a great golfing experience. Investigate, read the fine print, deal with a company that has local knowledge and ask for customer testimonials. This is the best advice we can give you before you purchase a Myrtle Beach golf package.

Gifts: Giving To The Beginner Golfer

It's golf season again! And you might be looking for a gift to give to someone who's just starting off in golf. So, here are some suggestions. These beginner golf gifts target those new golf souls... the ones who don't yet know what their in for, or the ones who are already hooked after just playing a few times.

Golf Lessons

The single best choice out of all gifts for the golf beginner is golf lessons. There's nothing that the beginning golfer can use more. It's even better than a set of clubs, because it will give him/her a chance to really decide if he/she likes the game and wants to stick with it. After all, golf can be extremely frustrating, but it's also highly addictive. Start them off right with a lesson and give them a good swing foundation. Contact your local golf course or instruction facility to find out what options you have in your area.

Golf Books

If you can't afford to buy golf lessons for the beginning golfer, at the very least, get him/her an instruction book or DVD. There are lot to choose from, many with the beginner in mind. Don't forget that along with frustrating and addictive, golf can also be intimidating, so help them to be better prepared for their experience. And even if you do decide on giving lessons, instruction books or DVDs are excellent complementary beginner golf gifts.

First Set of Golf Clubs

A lot of new golfers start out by borrowing or renting their clubs when they play, so to help them along you may want to start him/her off with their own set of golf clubs. Don't go with anything extravagant or expensive with their first set. Clubs are usually a pretty personal choice, and it's probable that their first set won't be the one they stick with in the long term. This is even more important if you're buying the first set of clubs for a child, as they will most likely outgrow them by the next summer. If you do get a set of clubs, make sure you get a bag to go with it.

Driving Range Membership

It's very common for a new golfer to want to just get out there and whack the ball! Actually, many experienced golfers want to do that. And while that may not be the best thing to do on the course, it's certainly fun to do at the driving range! You can give a membership to a local driving range. Other options include a gift certificate, ball tokens, or a 10 bucket pass. What the practice facility offers in the form of a membership or package deal will determine what options you have for these beginner golf gifts.

Golf Shoes

Depending on where he/she will be playing, the beginner golfer may need to wear golf shoesicon to get onto the course. Check into this first, as many courses have rules in this regard. Consider buying a pair of either soft spiked shoes, or ones that can be converted to soft spikes, as this, too, is a requirement for some golf courses. If they don't need golf shoes right away, avoid choosing them as your beginner golf gift selection. We say this for a couple of reasons: 1) any type of shoe is hard to pick out as a gift, and the fit of a golf shoe is important for comfort, especially if you consider the amount of walking that a golfer does. 2) It's actually better for golfer's balance to practice without golf shoes, as the golfer cannot depend on the stability of the spikes to hold them in place. An alternative to golf shoes as a beginner golf gift is the ever-present gift certificate, so they can pick out their own shoes.

Golf Balls

Like golf clubs, the type and brand of golf balls aren't important for the beginner. While you may want to consider compression when picking them out (the softer the hitter, the lower the compression), the type and construction of the golf ball will have very little bearing when he/she is first starting out. It would probably be a more appreciated gift if you were to personalize the balls with their name, nickname, or other custom logo, but that might make them all the more upset when the balls are lost (and they WILL be lost).

Gloves and Accessories

Don't forget the accessories! Gloves, tees, and ball markers are inexpensive items that will add a nice touch for beginner golf gifts. It's like giving a golf starter kit. Get him/her a glove - it will make them feel more confident or credible when holding their clubs - like a "real" golfer! Remember, the right-handed golfer needs a left-hand glove (and vice-versa). And get them some tees (perhaps personalized) and a few ball markers. You don't want them to feel left out, do you?

Save the expensive and fancy golf gifts for another gift occasion. If the recipient of your gifts decides to give up golf, then the expensive or extravagant gifts would be a waste. If he/she sticks with the game, then the more elaborate golf gifts will be more appreciated down the road. For now, focus on simple beginner golf gifts to get them started.

Effective Golf Training Equipment Isn't What You Think

If you are like most golfers, you have purchased hundreds of dollars of golf training equipment. How many gimmicky training aids do you have lying around?

Now I want you to picture something.

Put all the training aids together in your mind and picture using them all at the same time. What do you think would be the results?

I don't think it would be pretty and that's my point.

It's so easy to look for the 'magic bullet'. But the magic bullet is staring you in the face. You heard that right, it's YOU!

You swing the club and play the game?so why wouldn't you spend the time and money on improving YOU?

So stop buying the latest greatest training aid and focus on improving your own physical limitations.

So let's get back to golf training equipment.

I'd like to make a couple of suggestions.

I'm all for swinging a weighted club. You couldn't get more golf-specific than that. That would be a purchase that will give you a high return.

Next on the list would be exercise tubing. It only costs approximately $20-$25 and would be another very wise investment.

The beauty of tubing is the ability to break down the golf swing into as many phases as you like and do resistance (tubing) training specific to that phase.

The next piece of golf training equipment is the stability ball. Any golfer with a bad back should have one.

You can do so many stretches on it, and you can have this in your office, home or even when you travel since it's deflatable.

And lastly, hand weights. Another term is dumbbells. You can do dozens of golf-specific exercises with a simple pair of dumbbells. The cost is 50 cents a pound and they are very portable.

Other than the above golf training equipment, you could get one, maybe two trainings aids specific to your swing fault.

For example, if you're a slicer, the Inside Approach is a great device to use right on the range.

But dump all the old, ineffective training aids you have in your garage and focus on what will give you the greatest return on investment (both time and money).

And remember; if you are doing something that's not working?stop! Move onto something new and different. Don't get in a rut. Catch yourself before this happens.

This article was provided by Mike Pedersen, one of the leading golf fitness experts in the country. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to transform your game, Mike has a new book out with easy tips, techniques and cutting-edge golf exercises.

Basic Golf Etiquette

Many golfers take to the sport without the basic understanding of how the game should be played. Of course, we all know that the game requires a tee, a ball, and clubs, but few golfers actually take the time to learn the proper etiquette of the game. Lacking this type of fundamental knowledge can lead to tremendously embarrassing mistakes on the green. Golf is a great game when digested properly and then studied correctly. It's important to take each step as it comes and do it right. This article should help you to understand the basics of good golf etiquette. I think that I can best show you how the game is played by taking you through the play of one hole with a foursome.

The members of the foursome or twosome hit in turn. The closest ball to the green hits last and so on. When on the first tee, the order in which the players hit is decided, this order only pertains to that first shot. The golf term for this action is honor.

From the very beginning, it is always good to check, before swinging, to see if the members of your party are out of swinging distance. The ordinary swing of a golf club can be a deadly blow. Therefore, rules of etiquette are often rules of safety. Everyone in the group should be standing to one side or sitting on the benches, provided by most courses, awaiting their turns to hit, and there should be no talking on the tee or at any time when an associate is preparing to make his shot. All clubs, bags, carts and other essentials of the game should be left off the teeing ground.

Don't practice your swing while other members of your group are hitting, and don't stand behind the tee. Stay behind the player - to his back. It is easy to see a player out of the corner of your eye and that little thing could be distracting and result in a missed shot.

When the entire party has completed their first shots, walk directly in the line with your ball. But if another player has hit short of your ball wait for him to complete his second swing. This is another item of etiquette protecting the safety of the players and the skill of the hitter. Like the swing of the club, the flight of the ball can be dangerous. If players walk in front of another who is hitting, the distraction could cause a missed shot and the result can be injury to a companion.

Before you get going to far, one of the most important points of golf etiquette is waving through. Never hold up a group playing behind you. If you are slower than they are wave them on and wait until they have safely gotten out of range before you continue.

If you game is anything like mine, when you take your first drive, you may have to contend with that familiar obstacle - the rough. When your ball is in the rough, Nothing rooted may be removed to allow an easier shot. It is all right to remove dead wood, grass or leaves, providing the ball does not move. Be very careful here!

When it's virtually impossible to hit your ball, you may declare it unplayable. It is then allowable to pick the ball up, move two club lengths away from the obstacle (not nearer the hole) and drop the ball over your shoulder. But this isn't for free-you have to add two strokes to your score. In winter time, and during wet weather, it is sometimes permissible to lift your ball and drop it again for a better position. Also, around some clubs players move their balls to a choice spot with their hands. This always pertains to balls in the fairway.

Once you reach your ball and prepare to approach the green, study the lay of the land. Remember, when your ball is hit out of the fairway nothing can be removed to improve the lie of the ball unless it is dead matter. In rough, or woods, players can pick up dead limbs, leaves, paper or cut grass. But growing bushes, roots, tall grass must remain in place.

In traps or on the fringes of bunkers the player can move only things that were, perhaps, left there by careless course attendants. This would only include rakes, lawn mowers and other equipment used in caring for a golf course. These technicalities make it a 'must' to know your rules.

Your iron shots from the fairway will often dig up the grass, roots and all. This piece of turf, called a divot, should be picked up by you or your caddy and put back in its place, packing it down well with your foot.

Now that the group has reached the green, other rules of golf and etiquette will come into use. As each player shoots the caddy faces them and lifts the stick so that the ball may have freedom of the hole if it has the proper direction. Without caddies, the player in the group with the ball closest to the cup has the obligation on holding the stick for his companions. When his time comes to hit, another member of the party holds the stick for him.

Should another player's ball be blocking your line to the hole, then you may ask him to mark and remove it. The marking is usually done with a coin. If your ball is in such a position that it might interfere with a player's approach to the hole, it is always good to ask him if he would like it marked. Don't just walk up and grab your ball or the ball of a fellow member of your group.

Some players make the mistake of entering a sand trap by climbing into it from the high side, but a following player may be penalized by having his ball come to rest in one of the deep footprints left behind. Tearing down the sides of traps and then leaving without repairing the damage is an inexcusable breach of etiquette. Also, when you are in a sand trap, be careful that your club does not touch the sand, even in your address, until you are actually making the downward swing of the club in your stroke.

Putting on the green is handled in the same way as is hitting from the fairway. The ball which lies the greatest distance from the hole is putted first, and so on down the line until the closest man plays. Then the process is repeated until the entire group has played the hole out.

Remember, a careful study of the rules of play and etiquette can do more to insure enjoyment than any other one thing. Thousands of tiny, intricate situations can arise in golf. Don't hesitate to seek the knowledge of your pro. That's part of his job. Your aim is to be a polite as well as a skillful golfer. The two go hand in hand. To know the rules, leads to confidence. And confidence is the key to your quick success in this new undertaking.