How to Hit a Golf Ball Cleanly and Consistently

top golf place ph

So many people that play (or try to play) golf do not know how to hit a golf ball, especially cleanly and consistently. This is due in large part to many bad habits that are abundant on the golf course that new golfers and beginner golfers alike inadvertently pick up. The bad news is you probably have picked up one or two of these bad habits without even knowing it. The good news is all you have to do is point your attention to the bad habit and easily change it. While most bad habits in life are tough to get rid of, these habits are easy to escape and easy to replace with good habits. Master these and you will know how to hit a golf ball better than the majority of the golfers out there on the course with you.

Play How You Practice

It is commonly preached in sports that you will play how you practice, i.e. practice hard and well and you will play hard and well. This is not what meant here. Just about every golfer will take one or more practice swings on nearly every shot. An extremely common and very dangerous thing that golfers do is they will do two or three quick and effortless practice swings, then step up to the ball and use a slow and effort-filled swing. If you truly want to get the most out of your practice swings and for them to be effective at all you must pretend on every practice swing you take that you are taking a real shot and hitting a ball. Do everything you can to ensure that there is no difference between the practice swing and the actual swing you use for your shot. This is one of the easiest things you can do to effectively learn how to hit a golf ball better.

Use the Same Approach Every Time

This tip is perhaps the most important in knowing how to hit a golf ball. This isn’t talking about an approach shot to a green; this is referring to how you approach your shot. Create a simple system to ensure that you approach the ball and use the same stance each time you take a shot. With golf consistency is key and a consistent stance is vital to hitting consistent shots. Figure out a way to use your club as a measuring device to make sure you are standing the same distance away from the ball on every drive. Figure out a way to make sure your feet are the same distance apart from each other on every drive. Make sure the ball is lined up in the same spot with relation to your feet with every drive. It is suggested that you simply line up with the ball lined up directly in the middle of your feet. If you prefer the ball a bit forward or a bit behind the center of your stance, find a way to make sure that it is the same distance forward or behind each and every time.

Same Tee Height

The more you study and learn about golf and how to hit a golf ball, the more and more you will realize that it all boils down to consistency. Even if you have an ugly swing, if you are able to swing the club, ugly though it may be, the same every time you will hit the ball better and with more consistency. Along those lines, when you are hitting from the tee boxes, you must ensure that the tees are placed at the same height each and every time. It will of course differ from driver to wood to iron, but with each of those clubs you must hit the ball at the same time every time in order to hit the ball consistently well. You can either mark the tees yourself, purchased pre-marked tees, or purchase permanent height tees. Either way the ball must be the same distance off the ground every time.

Watch the Ball

This one is self explanatory, but that doesn’t make it any less important. In fact, this one IS the most important of all in learning how to hit a golf ball, more so even than use the same approach every time. Start at the earliest point in your golfing career to remind yourself immediately before EVERY single shot (including putting) to watch the ball. Just do it, and do it every time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6679549

top golf place pf

Why You Should Warm Up For Golf With Your Driver (And Save 2-3 Shots Per Round!)

top golf place ph

It’s long been a tradition prior to playing a round of golf to warm up by hitting shorter clubs – sand wedge, pitching wedge, or 9-iron – and then work your way up through the bag to the driver.

The theory behind starting with the shorter, more lofted clubs is that because they are not designed to go far in the first place you will be starting your warm-up with shorter, more controlled swings at less than 100% speed. That way you will give your body a chance to get used to the movement of a golf swing. Then you gradually increase your swing speed as you move to progressively longer clubs.

The Problem with Starting Your Warm-up with Short Irons

Here’s the challenge with this approach.

1. You are too bent-over with the shorter clubs: It’s much more difficult to move freely when bent over than it is standing up straighter. When you first start warming up you want your body to move as freely as possible.

2. Results-focus vs. Rhythm-focus. With the shorter clubs you are probably going to start thinking about hitting a target right away. That means you will be trying to control both your direction and your distance. Your first priority when warming up should be to establish your rhythm and timing for the day. Focusing on a target too soon will take your attention away from feeling and establishing good tempo and timing.

Here’s Why I Think You Should Start With Your Driver Instead.

1. Better Posture: Starting your warm-up with a driver will allow you to have taller posture, from which it will be easier to move. When you first get to the range you need to let your body know that it is ok to turn, pivot, and shift your weight. It’s easier when you stand taller with the driver.

2. Focus on Rhythm: Your first goal when warming up should be to establish good rhythm – NOT hit good golf shots at targets. It’s just as easy to focus on rhythm with your driver as with your lofted clubs.

3. Discipline: You’ll practice slower swings with the club that gives most golfers tempo trouble. You’ll learn to feel comfortable taking a less-than-100% swing with the driver, which is great discipline when you take it to the course. Your most effective, consistent drives will generally happen when you swing at 80%.

Here’s how to Warm Up With Your Driver

First, stand tall with your driver. Focus on moving freely, feeling a good weight shift. It’s more natural with the driver than with the shorter irons.

Second, hit your first 5 to 10 balls at less than 50% of speed. We call these swings low-energy golf swings. If you hit your normal drive 200 yards, pick out a target at 100 yards (50%) and make a full swing, trying to keep the ball from flying past the 100 yard target.

Third, make a full backswing and a full finish. You’ll find you have to slow down your swing to keep it under 50% of your normal distance with a full swing.

Fourth, focus on your rhythm. Your backswing should be 3 beats to a 1-beat downswing. Count out loud 1-2-3-swing. It should take you to the count of 3 to get to the top of your backswing, and you should make impact on the “swing” count. Think of the beat as a waltz and you’ll pick up on the rhythm easily.

Be Ready When You Step on the First Tee

How many times have you heard someone say “It took me a couple of holes to settle down.” That “settling down” process is really just another way of saying “finding a good rhythm.” Why waste the first few holes trying to find a good rhythm when you can find it on the range and have it by the time you are on the first tee. This approach alone will save you 2-3 shots per round! Focus on find your rhythm as your first priority when warming up and try finding your rhythm with your driver.

ERIC M JONES is a Class “A” PGA Professional who is dedicated to helping golfers learn, play better golf, and have more fun. Winner of the 2003 Re/Max World Long Drive Championship, 2004 LDA Tour Rookie of the Year, and the 2006 Players Tour Championship, Eric is a recognized expert on distance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2808907

top golf place pf

The Golf Down Swing

top golf place ph

Your golf swing is made up of many components. The final part of the swing consists of the golf down swing. This is the part of your golf swing that will help you deliver an efficient, solid shot.

How To Deliver A Solid Golf Down Swing

Once your right arm starts to bend (for right-handed golfers – reverse this for left-handed golfers), and your left hip starts to rotate towards your target, you have begun your golf down swing. The downswing will help you drive speed into your club head through impact with the golf ball. Your left arm will then pull your golf club down during your golf downswing. The more strength you have in your left arm, the more stability you will have as your left arm pulls the club down.

The Lower Body During The Golf Down Swing

The downswing is actually commenced by your lower body – not your arms. As stated above, your hips begin the rotation back towards the target, and therefore start the downswing. You want to start your downswing from the ground, and work your way up. Your hips in golf swing – and your body – should be moving parallel to your target line. As your hips and legs begin to rotate and turn towards your target, your hips will have the chance to move out of the way for your club to swing down through the target line.

Once your lower body drives the downswing, your right shoulder (for right-handers) will start to lower, therefore lowering the golf club during the down swing. Your shoulders will also start to rotate towards the target.

The left leg/knee will move the force from your golf swing towards the front. During the downswing, you want to post your left leg, and straighten it to about 90%. Any more than this (including hyper-entension) is dangerous and can cause injury. The most stable downswing will only require that front leg to straighten at 90%.

By the time you complete your downswing and follow through after contact with the ball, your hips should be fully rotated causing your belly and back knee to face the target. Your hip rotation will lead the upper body rotation, and will produce power in your swing. Don’t forget to fully follow through with your swing after impact with the ball. The end of your swing should result in your hands being near your left ear (for right-handers).

Don’t Forget To Keep Your Head Down!

One of the most common mistakes that golfers make is that they lift their head too soon at impact. Doing so can throw off your golf down swing. By keeping your left eye focused on the back of the ball, and keeping that focus right through impact, you will have a better chance of having a more solid shot.

- Lisa, author of howtoperfectagolfswing.com. This website has all the info you need on learning the mechanics of swinging a golf club, stance, ball position, hand grip, backswing, downswing, and more. Shave strokes off your score by learning tips, tricks and secrets to improving your golf game.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6686896

top golf place pf

Gearing Up Properly For Golf

top golf place ph

Like any other sports, golf requires that you are geared up correctly to be able to properly play the game. This article will give you an idea of basic golf equipment one requires to be able to learn and play golf.

For starters, the basic golf equipment is a golf ball. Golf balls are dimpled tiny balls, use in to play golf. They are dimpled to reach farther length when driven by golf clubs.

Another important golf equipment is a golf club or golf driver. Golf drivers come in different varieties. This is because a golf course has different landscapes and different golf clubs are required to make the proper drive. Depending on the landscape, either sand, grass or cement, a golf club is essential to make the perfect drive. Professional golfers usually have a bag or two of golf clubs to cater to their golf needs. Most golf stores and sports equipment store sell golf clubs. Some golf clubs are sold in sets while other are sold individually.

To protect your golf equipment, such as your golf club, a golf bag golf club cover is essential. A golf bag will, of course, hold your golf club in one place and will make it easier for your caddy to bring your many golf clubs. Golf bags can also hold golf balls and other golf equipment like water bottle to quench your thirst while under the sun or extra shirt or your regular shoes. On the other hand, a golf club cover covers the edge of your golf club. This is done so to protect your golf club from unwanted scratches and dents. Dents can cause your drive to go from ok to bad. Dents in golf clubs can affect the drive of your golf ball. With these golf equipment, you can take care of the state of your club and your game.

One golf equipment that you need to invest on is a good pair of golf shoes. Golf shoes are different from usual rubber shoes or walking shoes. Golf shoes are created to walk on greens – the type where the sport is played. Golf shoes usually have pointed rubber under the soles to grip the earth and sand under your feet. This way, unnecessary shaking or moving is avoided. This is important because shaking can cause you to not hit the golf ball or to hit the golf ball in the wrong direction. If you plan to play professional golf a good pair of golf shoes is a necessary golf equipment to add up to your list. Choose one that is sturdy yet comfortable enough for you to walk into. Golf is a sport that requires walking from one hole to another or to where your ball landed (you can not use golf carts on the greens) and thus, if your golf shoes are uncomfortable, you would have a hard time concentrating on your game.

A golf equipment usually provided by most golf courses (aside from the golf ball) is the tee. The tee is the tiny pin like thing that you punch to the ground to stand your ball into. The tee is use in teeing off (the start of your first drive) thus the name.

The most amazing golf equipment ever created (for me, that is) is the golf cart. Golf carts can take you from one hole to the other, though as I said earlier they are not allowed on the greens, they still lessen the burden of having to walk under the hot sun. This golf equipment can be acquired from golf courses. Golf players are usually made to use golf equipment such as this to give them a better and easier time playing the sport.

Many specialty shops and sport shops offer golf equipment. The internet is also a good source of golf equipment. Second hand golf equipment are even auctioned off the internet, if you are on a tight budget. Check out your local golf shop, sports shop, specialty shops, E-bay or Yahoo! for your golf equipment needs.

top golf place pf

The Golf Store

top golf place ph

With an increasing market of high-end retailers selling golf equipment, one could possibly miss a “real” golf store.

Typically, golf stores have the latest, if not the best, golf equipment and accessories needed by somebody who plays golf. Things could range from golf clubs to golf balls, to even posters, shirts, and wallpaper.

Most golf stores focus on ensuring the proper equipment for the interested golfer. They will provide hints on how to choose the right club and the appropriate golf ball. Golf stores do not only supply things relative to golf but some also offer services and knowledge about the sport itself.

Additional services could include club repair, club fitting, and swing analysis. Most of these golf stores use the True Temper Shaftlab and Achiever Launch Monitor swing analysis. These machines measure everything, from ball speed, club head speed to carry distance. They also provide printouts illustrating extreme deflection, shaft loading, downswing time and face angle.

Also, there are other golf stores that offer golf classes being thought by local pros.
Golf tutorials can also be offered for juniors along with women’s clinics on the sport.

Golf collectors will find many interesting items in a golf store as well. Hobbyist may find collector items like golf balls used by some of the world’s most renowned players. Signed items may be available too.

Plus, there are golf stores that offer unusual golf gifts. These things range from the most common to the most creative golf gifts one could get for just about any occasion.

Most golf store owners are actually golfers themselves. Usually, they put up a golf store after retiring from playing golf.  Like most businessmen assert, it’s good to be passionate about what you are selling. This “passion” will give feelings of satisfaction and gratification to the golf shopper and this is something money cannot buy.

top golf place pf

How To Save On Golf Clubs

top golf place ph

Bag a great deal on golf clubs with help from the Internet. Cyberspace is a vast world of sites to help you save on the things you need.  With virtually billions of online retailers, competition is fierce and the potential for big savings is huge.

Online retailers can help you save on golf clubs because they need to undercut real world retailers. Big block stores can offer some good bargains, but surfing the net will usually get you a better deal. Rock bottom prices are available on golf clubs as well as balls, clothing, golf bags, shoes and everything else you need to golf the perfect game.

While the Internet offers endless opportunities to save on golf clubs, it is also a notorious hangout for crooked operations and shady retailers trying to filch some of your money. Simply corresponding with friends online can cause an onslaught of bogus emails call ‘Spam’ to plague your mailbox. Spam is annoying, but there are more malicious predators lurking on the web. Worms and viruses have nothing on these online conmen.

Scam artists regularly set fake ads, auctions or entire sites with the sole purpose of milking buyers of your hard-earned cash. Send a payment to one of these crooks and you can kiss it goodbye. You’ll be old and gray, still waiting by the mailbox to receive your package. If you’re shopping for golf clubs and you think the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Beware and be sure before you buy.

There are many legitimate sellers on the web who stay in business by passing on real savings on good equipment. Don’t let a few rotten apples frighten you away from your online search to save on golf clubs. By following save Internet buying practices you will be able to protect yourself from getting scammed.

The most important thing to remember when buying online, is never to provide personal information via email. The only time that you should send banking or credit details is when you’re positive the site is secure.  You can tell a website is secure by checking the Web address for a “https” rather than simply “http.” The extra “s” on the web address stands for ‘secure’. Many sites will also show a small key symbol that tells you it’s a secure site.

Legitimate retailers will also offer optional methods of contacting them. If they have phone number and real address listed, follow up to be sure the store actually exists. If you’re still not sure, try researching over a comparison site like http://MySimon.com, or check the Better Business Bureau’s site. This extra step can mean the difference between a new set of clubs and a lesson learned the hard way.

You can save on golf clubs by shopping on the Internet. Shopping smart is the key to shopping safe.

top golf place pf

How To Purchase Superb Golf Clubs Without Straining Your Purse

top golf place ph

Golf Clubs count among the most expensive of all sports gear and accessories; the reason being that unlike in the case of similar ball striking accessories like bats, rackets and hockey sticks, high technology goes into the making of a golf club which has to be precision designed and balanced to carry the ball exactly where it is intended to by a skilled player; with regard to the horizontal direction, vertical flight and to come as close as possible to the intended target, if not hitting the jackpot at once.

However, such precision crafted golf clubs are superfluous to the needs of beginners or even average golfers who could obtain quite good standard golf clubs to satisfy their requirements at much lesser prices from sports goods stores and online.

The temptation to go for the more highly priced upper range of Callaway clubs used by top golfers is too much for the beginners to resist due to the prestige value attached and the illusion that more expensive golf clubs would boost stroke play to perform like a champion in next to no time. But the hard fact is that you can never wield the more high tech clubs effectively before acquiring the proper techniques from grass root level. Higher priced golf clubs are far more efficient for the experienced players, but definitely not for the beginners, for if not held and swung at the precise angles to get a desired shot, the slightest deviation in your stance and angle of swing could bring the most unexpected results by sending the ball flying in a trajectory far off course from the target. My advice to beginners is to stick to beginners’ golf clubs that are more tolerant to errors in angles of stroke play saving you undue embarrassment by making you the laughing stock of the golf course. With golf clubs designed for beginners, you can slowly but surely build up your technique gradually to handle more expensive precision designed clubs with more confidence derived from the superior knowledge gained as you go on.

Don’t feel ashamed to purchase a secondhand golf club for a start; for it could save you much money, time and regrets in the experimental stages. You could find some seniors willing to part with their golf clubs still in very good condition for a reasonable price in order to graduate to higher priced models. However, be very careful in choosing one without compromising quality for price since golf clubs too age with time that sometimes render them almost unusable. If you are purchasing from a senior player you meet frequently on the course, you would be at an advantage to have a few test shots with the intended golf club before purchasing outright. With luck, you may even find a player who would lend one to you for a considerable period until you decide on its suitability for purchase.

Auctions and pawnshops are two other options for finding used older models of golf clubs. This procedure however would be more time consuming and less certain in finding a proper golf club, than if you were buying from a known person. It is altogether more risky since as a beginner you would be lacking in knowledge to distinguish between a good and a bad golf club, so that you may need the help of a trusted person knowledgeable in these affairs. If you have to go shopping alone at such auctions and pawnshops, make sure you obtain some solid advice beforehand and have a good idea of the features sought by you in making your initial investment in golfing. The advantage of buying from an auction or a pawnshop is the possibility of finding one at a very cheap price.

Don’t be blinded by a bargain to the extent of ignoring or compromising on quality. It is very important that you acquire at least some basic knowledge about golf clubs; that would make all the difference between making a worthy or a wasted investment, in addition to the time likely to be wasted by going fishing in unknown waters. You should be knowledgeable enough to close on a deal with confidence when you spot a worthy golf club. Go scouting for used golf clubs equipped with a good knowledge of the features that constitute a good golf club; and that way you could save yourself a lot of money, time and heartburn.

top golf place pf

Odyssey Golf Putters- Black Series

top golf place ph

The Odyssey company offers extensive lines of putters, and this article will describe one of their product lines, the Odyssey Black Series of putters.

The Odyssey Black Series consists of 3 putter head designs all of which take advantage of the design and technology features developed for this product line.

One feature used on all three models is a tungsten flange at the back of the putter head. This flange adds weight to the rear of the putter head and creates a low CG (center of gravity) which is deep in the club face. This feature helps to lift the ball slightly upon impact and get it rolling quicker. Since the golf ball actually is slightly nestled down into the grass of the putting green, hitting the putt initially with an upward angle helps get the ball rolling. In fact there is a short video on the Odyssey Black Series web site that shows a comparison between these clubs and another allegedly typical putter. The Black Series putter got the ball rolling about 1 ½ inches before the other putter did. Working in conjunction with the placement of the CG is the loft of the putter face. Each of the putter heads in the line, which are simply called Black Series no. 1, no. 2, and no. 3, have a different loft angle of the putter face which is optimized to get the quickest roll possible for the given CG location of each particular putter head. The theory is that the sooner the ball stops skidding after impact and begins a true roll, the more accurate the putt will be, and this certainly makes sense. It should also be noted that the weighted flange helps to create a higher MOI as well, and this provides some forgiveness for putts not hit exactly on the “sweet spot” of the putter face.

These putters are certainly top of the line and carry a retail price tag of $249 each. Black Series no. 1 putter has a rounded heel-toe weighted putter blade with a so called “crank-neck” hosel and a one shaft offset. The crank neck simply means that the offset is achieved by moving the shaft forward at 90 degree angles instead of a gradual bending of the hosel or shaft. The Black Series no. 2 putter has the same features but is more squared-off in appearance. Black Series model no. 3 is a mallet style putter with a double bend shaft that gives the same full-shaft offset.

The putter head is made of 1025 carbon steel and features a mix-milled face design which indicates the proper impact area. In other words the face has two different mill patterns on it. There is also a urethane damping layer between the flange and the milled carbon steel head that dampens vibrations.

The three traditional shaped heads of the Odyssey Back Series golf putters offer an interesting alternative for the serious golfer who prefers a traditional type of look and who can afford to spend $249 on his putter. They are certainly worth a look.

top golf place pf

Nike Golf Clubs

top golf place ph

Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs are available in two versions of two different models, for a total of 4 product lines. These include the Slingshot Hybrid and Slingshot Tour Hybrid, the CPR3 Wood and CPR3 Iron-Wood. This article will review the attributes of each of these hybrid golf clubs.

Slingshot Hybrid and Slingshot Tour Hybrid

Both of these clubs have an MSRP of $199 US for either steel or graphite shafts. The Slingshot Tour is targeted for low handicap golfers, and the Slingshot is for less skilled players. Both clubs aim to deliver a center of gravity (CG) that is low and as far back behind the face as possible. This type of club head design is geared to making the ball get up into the air easier and to be forgiving of off-center hits. Both clubs look like a hybrid or small fairway wood with the upper back section removed. This is readily evident on the company’s web site. The weight thus removed is then redistributed in a thick sole and a thick bar around the back of the clubs called a Slingback bar. The result of this design is to have 70% of the mass of the club head below the equator of the ball. The face plate on both clubs is made of 455 stainless steel which is normal for high-end hybrid clubs like these.

There are 5 clubs available in the Slingshot line. These are 2-6 hybrids. Perhaps it bears repeating that hybrid clubs are designed to replace long irons that are difficult for most golfers to hit solidly on a consistent basis. A 3 hybrid will replace your 3 iron, for example. All the clubs in the Slingshot product line are available for both left and right handed golfers. There is no women’s version of this model available, or for any of the Nike hybrid golf clubs models for that matter. Of course both steel and graphite shafts are available. Custom fitting options exist for club length (-1/2” to +2” from standard) and for lie angles (-2 to +4 degrees from standard). One would need to have a custom club fitting to know if he needs to order any of these changes. This is a good idea in any case for a person thinking of investing in a set of new golf clubs.

As stated, the Slingshot Tour Hybrid is for low handicap players. In fact Nike notes that their Tour staff requested such a model be developed. Four clubs are available in 1-4 hybrids. The shafts on the Slingshot Tour Hybrid are slightly heavier than on the Slingshot. The same options to customize club length and lie angle can be chosen.

CPR3 Wood and CPR3 Iron-Wood

These two hybrids have an MSRP of $139 with steel shafts and $159 with graphite. The CPR3 Wood clubs have a deeper sole and have more of a wood bottom footprint, thus the name. The upper back section is cut out, and thus again weight can be redistributed around the periphery of the sole to lower the CG and move it back. 2-5 hybrids are available, and all lofts come in left handed models. No women’s versions of this product line are available, nor are there any options for customization as there are with the Slingshots.

The CPR3 Iron-Wood has a smaller footprint which is more like a typical hybrid club. This version is targeted to lower handicap golfers and is available in 1-4 hybrids in either steel or graphite shafts. Left handed clubs are available, and as with the CPR3 Wood, there are no custom options for club length or lie angle.

Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs do not come with versions to provide a hook bias to help golfers with a consistent slice, or adjustable club head weight versions as is offered by Taylor Made, for example. It will be interesting to see if the popularity of those design features or the demand for women’s hybrids will be high enough to motivate Nike to add these types of clubs to their product offerings. Nike is certainly a top rank golf company, however, so if one of their models fits you properly, you will be playing with excellent clubs.

top golf place pf