Archive for January 2009
Golf Fitness Exercises for the Pre-season
22. January 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.
Author: Sean Cochran
Golf fitness exercises can be very beneficial in getting you ready for the upcoming golf season. Golf exercises with swing drills can prepare you for a successful year on the links right from the start.
The PGA Golf Tour is in full swing and for many parts of the country and world the golf season is upon us. Many of you are anxious to dust off the golf clubs and get out to the golf course for your first round of golf. A question that may be on your mind is how do I get ready? How do I knock off 6 months of rust on my golf swing, feel comfortable with my driver on the first tee, and post a good golf score at the end of the round?
All questions that are asked often in the world of professional golf and this article will provide you with the answers. Answers to these questions and many more fall under the category of how do I prepare myself for the golf season? Interesting enough if the guidelines from this article are followed the golf score you post for your first round of the year may be lower than you ever expected, the distance of your drives may well be farther than you imagined, and the number of accurate golf shots you hit may be even more surprising!
The answer to all the questions on how to get ready for the upcoming golf season centers on preparation. Preparation is the key to a successful first round of golf and every round you play in the upcoming golf season.
We all probably understand the definition of preparation but lets take a quick look in order for us to all be on the same page. Preparation can be defined as the work or planning involved in making something or somebody ready or putting something together in advance (Encarta Dictionary, MSN.com).
A definition that sheds light on getting ready for the upcoming golf season. Using the above definition we can see the process of preparing for the upcoming golf season does not begin 10 minutes before your first tee time, but rather in advance of when you get ready to hit driver off the first tee. Bottom line the process of getting ready for the upcoming golf season begins weeks or even months before your’ first round of golf of the year.
To have a successful first round of golf and a good season of golf you must begin the process of preparation well in advance of your first time on the golf course. If you look at professional golfers they begin the process of preparing for the upcoming golf season months in advanced. I would suggest doing the same. Develop a plan that will get your golf swing ready once the snow thaws, the birds are chirping, and the greens are ready for putting.
What does such a plan contain? This type of “golf preparation plan” would contain drills, exercises, and programs to improve and prepare every aspect of your golf game. If we break down the game of golf into categories the “golf program” becomes much easier to understand. Obviously, we have the different shots made on the course. A brief breakdown would indicate the need to implement swing drills to work on the full swing, short game, and putting. We could obviously get a little more detailed than a breakdown of the golf game into three different categories, but lets’ keep it simple.
Now that we have this breakdown of the game of golf into full swing, short game, and putting the next step is to implement a series of drills to work on each of these aspects. Simply put I would suggest devising a series of drills to work on each part of the golf game/swing. This can easily be accomplished by purchasing a few books or videos from one of the top-teaching professionals in the world of golf. Each one of these qualified golf instructors have numerous materials available to help you with your golf swing. And if you are one of those individuals that lives in a cold climate and is unable to get to a driving range or practice facility, no need to worry. Most all of the instructional videos/books available have drills that can be performed in the comfort of your own home.
At this point we have a couple of bases covered in the “preparation plan” for the upcoming golf season. We understand preparation is key to a successful year on the golf course, the “preparation plan” begins well in advance of the first tee time of the year, and a portion of the plan consists of swing drills. This brings us to final part of your “preparation plan” for the upcoming golf season.
This part of the plan centers on the implementation of golf fitness exercises to go along with your swing drills. We must understand the concept of your body and the golf swing. The golf swing is executed in its’ entirety by your body. In order for your body to execute the golf swing correctly. It requires you to have certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power within it. If you are lacking in any one of these physical areas compensations will occur in your golf swing.
It comes down to this: In order to be prepared for the upcoming golf season and to improve your golf swing. The implementation of golf fitness exercises geared towards developing your body around the golf swing is necessary. This type of program will prepare the body for the golf swing and the upcoming golf season.
To summarize, the process of preparing yourself for the upcoming golf season begins with a “preparation plan”. This plan begins weeks to months in advance of your first time out on the golf course. Additionally, this “preparation plan” for the upcoming golf season contains a series of golf training drills to prepare your golf swing. The golf training drills break down the golf game into three sections; full swing, short game, and putting. A series of swing drills are implemented to work on each one of these parts of your golf game. In addition golf fitness exercises are implemented into the golf-training program to develop your body around your golf swing. Put all these pieces together and your first time out on the golf course this year should be an enjoyable one.
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 Masters and PGA Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/golf-articles/golf-fitness-exercises-for-the-preseason-728593.html
Using a GPS For Golf
18. January 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.
By Lawrence Bredenkamp
In this article I will give you 10 benefits of using a GPS for golf. With the rapid development of GPS technology, using a GPS for golf has become very popular throughout the world, and in particular America and Australia.
Why has using a GPS for golf become so popular?
Well quite simply the information you receive from a GPS is both accurate and extremely useful.
When using a GPS for golf you get the following benefits:
- Distances from where you are to varying parts of the course and hole in play. This includes the overall length of the hole, the distance to the beginning and end of the fairway. Distances to hazards, both to reach and to carry the hazard, as well as distances to the front, centre and back of the green. All this information is extremely useful and time saving. No more measuring out or guessing of distances. Most Golf GPS models are accurate to within a couple of yards.
- Get to know how far you hit the ball with each club. A lot of players who have been using a GPS for golf say that this can be quite a humbling experience. Believing that they hit a driver (or any club) a certain distance and then discovering that they in fact don’t hit it that far seems to amaze them. Truth is most amateurs think they hit the ball further than they do.
- Gain confidence. Knowing the distance that you hit each club gives you an incredible amount of confidence when playing. No longer do you have to worry about a three quarter or “between clubs” shot. This alleviates tension and allows for a smooth swing. Ever wondered why the pros seem to know exactly which club to use and get the distances exactly right? Their caddies are paid to know exactly how far it is to the pin, what clubs they hit that distance and to advise the player accordingly - exactly the information you will get from using a GPS for golf.
- A Golf GPS is extremely useful when you have hit a wayward shot; say behind some trees, where you would ordinarily have no idea of how far it is to get the ball back into play or to the green. Without a line of sight you can confidently play your shot knowing that your ball will (or should - as you still have to execute the shot) land back in play or where you intended it to go.
- Play anywhere any time with confidence. If playing at a strange course for the first time or a course that you do not play that often - such as when you are on holiday - you have the advantage of not having to worry about distances. Most GPS models come preloaded with a number of local courses or courses can be downloaded as required. In addition you can ‘map’ or plot your own points on every hole and so customize your GPS specifically for your own use.
- Using a GPS for golf will speed up play. It is amazing how many players report that this happens. Even one GPS in a four ball seems to speed up play considerably.
- Shoot lower scores and reduce your handicap. A lot of people who use a GPS for golf say that they have shaved shots off their rounds from the very first time they use a GPS. Quite simply a GPS takes a lot of tension out of the equation and this definitely makes for better scoring.
- Be the envy of your mates - they’ll all want to play with you. Or more likely want you to help them with their distances.
- Analyze your round after the game by using the built in statistics available in most GPS models.
- Enjoy your game more. If you are playing well you will naturally enjoy it more.
So there you have it - 10 benefits to using a GPS for golf. If you haven’t already tried using a GPS for golf do yourself a favor and go out and get one today.
Lawrence Bredenkamp is a qualified golf coach and a mad keen golfer. He has several golfing websites one of which is dedicated solely to Golf GPS.
This website has the most comprehensive comparison chart available on the web. It provides a full review of each of the most popular models and gives recommendations based on budget.M
Buy your GPS using this information and rest assured that you have bought the best available for the money you have spent.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com/Using-a-GPS-For-Golf
The Importance Of Alignment In Your Golf Game
17. January 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.
The Importance of Alignment In Your Golf Game
There are three elements of proper alignment in the game of golf:
*Aligning the body, the ideal body alignment aims all of your body, feet, knees, hips, forearms and shoulders parallel to the target line.
*Aligning the ball, if the ball is aligned to far forward, it can cause you to hit it while the putter is swinging up, causing the ball to leave the green.
*Aligning the putter face - according to some professionals if your putter alignment is off by 10 degrees, and your putt is 20 feet, you will miss the hole by 3 feet. That sounds like aligning the putter is pretty important!
Contact should be made with the ball at the bottom of the stroke for putting, at the point where the putter head is horizontal to the ground. In the ideal stance this is directly beneath the center of your stance. The center of your stance should be directly below your breastbone.
To determine your low point, try some practice swings, the point where the putter brushes the grass is your low point. It may be further back if you put more weight on your back foot or further forward if you lean towards your target. Your ball should be placed slightly in front of your low point, this is necessary because each persons low point is different.
The direction your putt is off may be caused due to the fact that your ball is positioned improperly to your low point. If you continue to push puts right, try moving your ball slightly forward. If you pull your puts to the left, try moving your ball back slightly in your stance.
Placing the ball to far forward is the most common mistake golfers make. This makes it easier for them to see their shot, but gives the shot less power than it should have.
alignment, golf, golf clubs, playing golf, putting
Source: putting
Selecting The Correct Golf Club Shaft
16. January 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.
If you are picking out some new golf clubs for your personal enjoyment, one of the biggest factors will be picking the right shaft. The shaft of a golf club is the metal that connects the handle to the head, and effectively holds the entire golf club together. It plays a huge role in the swing of the club. Picking the right one can have a huge effect on your whole game, but you have to consider many things when picking it. The best thing you can do is get a seasoned golfer to help you out in this matter, and try out enough golf clubs to feel confident in your choice. There are, however, a few guidelines that will always be helpful for someone picking out a golf club shaft. Pay attention to them, and you can make a wise choice when picking out your golf clubs.
The length of the shaft is definitely the factor that needs the most thought put into it. Since everyone’s swing techniques and height are different, the shaft you choose will have to be tailored personally to you. One way that people determine their desired length is to measure from their navel straight down to the floor. Once you grip the club and lean over to make your stroke, you will find that the length is almost always perfect. However, if you don’t lean as much as other people (or you lean further), the length will have to be altered. Just try out a few lengths before you decide on one, and you should end up being happy with the length of the golf clubs that you choose. However, that’s not all.
Golf club shafts also have another factor that is specified by the manufacturer, and this is the flex of the club. If you try to bend it with your bare hands you won’t notice it bending visibly, but when you swing your club it does bend in an almost imperceptible amount. This can largely affect your game, especially if you are used to using another type of club with a different amount of flex. The main thing that changes your choice of flex is the speed of your swing. Do you put all of your force and speed into a swing, or do you do it more delicately? The faster swings will probably be better off with a stiffer shaft. Club shops should be able to help you determine how much flex you need.
Most of these things can be altered by the material that the club is built out of. The two most popular materials are steel and graphite. Each one has its own unique characteristics – generally graphite is considered to be the more professional choice, but you may find that steel shafts work perfectly well for you. The steel shafts are heavier and more durable, and usually cheaper than graphite. However, graphite is perfect for those who prefer lighter clubs and higher torque ratings. The needs of a golfer can range across many different variables, but many find that their needs fall within the offerings of steel shafts.
Lots of golfers find that they are fine with simply sticking to the golf club shafts that they have learned on. However, if you are a dynamic golfer and you feel that you can improve your game by buying a shaft that is more suited to you, then you will find that it can increase your enjoyment of golf by quite a bit. The right shaft paired with the right person can work wonders. Therefore you should consider all of the factors that have been discussed here, and decide how you can use them to your benefit. With the help of expert golfers along with club store employees, you should be able to use the combined knowledge to pick out something great to replace your current clubs.
golf, golf clubs, graphite shafts, steel shafts
Source: steel shafts
The Right Golf Clubs for You
15. January 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.
The Right Golf Clubs for You
You invest a lot of money into a good set of golf clubs so it is a wise decision to get the help of professionals to determine which golf clubs are best suited to your style of play.
There are many factors that need to be taken into account including your height and the level of your game play.
Also, you will need to decide how big your pockets might be able to stretch as you can spend a small fortune on good brand name clubs.
But will they make you play any better?
Well, all things being equal they certainly will assist with your playing ability.
They are the only thing between you and the ball so you had better make the right choices.
You can always try your playing partners clubs to see how they feel and whether you feel comfortable with them, but there is nothing like the knowledge you will gain by getting a golf professional to help you in your decision.
If you are getting lessons from a golf pro it will make their job all the easier as they will know where your strong and weak points are and the correct club selection might just help to counter any inherent problems that you have.
No matter how many people a golf pro might teach, they will understand that every golfer has a different swing.
Everyone from amateur to professional has a different swing and their own unique way that they shift their weight during their swing.
By having a golf pro observe your swing they will understand your dynamics better than anyone else and this will help them to help you decide on your best golf club options.
Once you get a set of golf clubs that match your own unique swing you might be astounded to see how much your game can improve.
You might find that some of the ‘bad’ aspects of your game can be eliminated with clubs that are suited to your style.
I’m sure you have already seen the vast difference you can have when you try out friends clubs.
Now imagine the change you could expect if you found the optimum clubs for you.
Technorati tags: golf will they clubs help might
Source: they
How To Maintain Electric Golf Cart Batteries During Winter
14. January 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.
How To Maintain Your Golf Cart Batteries
Heres some tips to follow for the proper storage of your electric golf cart during winter:
First of all you should clean your batteries and ensure that all the cell caps are snugly attached. Wash the battery compartment and unplug the charger. Start on one side of the golf cart and spray Battery Neutralizer all over the tops of the batteries.
Be sure to spray between the batteries, down on the battery racks, and the inside walls of the body panels, if they are metal. Use an old paintbrush to scour all the battery tops and sides. Water from a garden hose using plain water, or use a solution of Baking Soda (about 2 tablespoons to 1 gallon of water) to neutralize the acid.
Tighten, clean, check and treat battery terminal connectors. Be sure the cables are tight to the post. Carefully wriggle each cable end side-to-side and then gently up & down. There should be no looseness or sideways movement. If your battery terminals are badly corroded, you will need to do some serious cleaning.
Check the water levels in each cell. Use distilled water to fill and be sure the electrolyte (water) in each battery cell is above the plates. In cold climates, when the cart will be left uncharged for several months, leave the water level a little low. This raises the specific gravity of the acid, which will help prevent freezing. Batteries tend to keep better in cold conditions rather than hot conditions providing the charge remains up.
A fully charged battery will not freeze until 60 to 70 below zero whereas a discharged battery can freeze at 20 degrees above zero. As a battery discharges, the acid turns into water by the basic chemical nature of the lead acid battery. More discharge means more likelyhood of freezing due to more water. Also a dirty, acid covered battery will self-discharge at a faster rate than a clean treated battery, even in cooler temperatures.
never leave yoru golf cart plugged in to a charger for extended periods of time. after you have finished charging, unplug the charger from the cart and also from the wall.
Leave the cart in Neutral and turn the key off. Either way, scotch the wheels so you can leave the hill brake released. This stops cable strain helping the brakes avoid lock-ups.
If you are not going away for the winter, you can plug your Charger in for a few hours once a month to insure a full charge is maintained. The charger should be unplugged from the car and the wall after charging.
Finalize for winter storage by checking the tire pressures and inflate to 20-25 psi.
Roll down the rain curtains and zip them part way down. If you have to leave the car out in the open, or under an open shed, neatly fold the rain curtain and bring it in the house till spring. Very cold weather will cause the see through vinyl to become very brittle and a puff of wind will blow it out.
For additional information on electric golf cart batteries including how lead acid batteries work; how to use a hydrometer; charging batteries and troubleshooting golf cart batteries please visit Golf Cart Battery Tips.
No Tags
Source: golf
Golf Bags - Travel, Cart, Staff, Carry Or Sunday - Which One is Right For You?
13. January 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.
By Taylor Turnstone
The golf bag was created to make the sport of golf easier for the solo player. When you are by yourself and trying to enjoy a relaxing round of golf, it is important that you have all of your equipment at your side. The golf bag is used to carry the clubs, the drivers, the tees, and the balls. Contrary to popular belief, not all golf bags are created equal. Bags come in different styles, and different sizes. Depending upon your level of golfing needs you can easily pick the bag that is right for you. Some examples of the different bags are:
- Travel golf bags give the golfer the freedom that suits them. The bag is flexible for playing around while at the same time giving them a secure bag that can be taken on golf vacations for long rides in cars or on in the storage bay on airplanes. Most are made from a crush-proof material, like PVC to protect your clubs while traveling. They will often also have a keyed lock for theft prevention.
- Cart bags are a must have for any senior golfer. They are bigger and have more compartments to carry all of the golfer’s needs. The cart bag holds the clubs in such a way that it is impossible for them to tangle up when you are putting them in or taking them out. The biggest downfall to these bags are their size. Since they have so much room and are made with such sturdy materials, they take up more room to store and transport.
- Stand golf bags are the bags that most golfers lean towards. These statistics ring true due to the fact that most golfers walk the course rather than ride it. These stand bags are lightweight yet completely functional, giving the golfer more than enough room to store his clubs. The bag comes complete with a double strap so that the bags weight is distributed evenly throughout the shoulders and back.
- Staff/Tour bags are the bags that are used by the PGA professionals. They are spacious yet compact making them well sought after. These bags have the four-pocket traditional design, giving the golfer an organized way to carry all of his golfing needs.
- Carry bags are the middle point between the stand bag and the cart bag. They are lightweight enough that they can be carried with ease, but also roomy enough that you do not have to leave anything behind.
- Sunday/Pencil Bags are lightweight and at the same time extremely durable. The Sunday/Pencil Bag weighs in at just three pounds, making it the perfect bag to pick up, sling over your should and just go. This bag holds your clubs in one pocket and the balls and tees in another.
No matter what your golf level is, whether it be beginner, professional or just weekend warrior there is a bag that will fit your needs. Both comfort and functionality are key to finding the perfect bag for you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Taylor_Turnstone
http://EzineArticles.com/?Golf-Bags—Travel,-Cart,-Staff,-Carry-Or-Sunday—Which-One-is-Right-For-You?&id=1787979
