How to Hit a Golf Ball Cleanly and Consistently
November 17, 2011 by Editor
Filed under Golf Equipment, Golf Tips
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.
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Why Do You ‘Not Benefit’ From Coaching Golf Tips
Most golfers have had dozens of opportunities to receive coaching golf tips from numerous sources. However the most interesting aspect of it all is that many are not able to benefit much from these coaching golf tips.
What could be the reason? Is it that the coaching golf tips are not explained in enough detail? Or is it that most golfers fail to grasp them? All these possible reasons are highly unlikely because most coaching golf tips are given and explained in a very practical manner.
If we have any hope of solving this mystery then we must start looking for the answer in the area of implementation. The mind understands but the body is unable to execute. Weak flabby and therefore tense muscles have a problem keeping up with stress and pressure exerted.
Golf still has many players who have stuck to the good old days when exercises were unheard of amongst golfers. When nobody could hear of golf exercise to strengthen muscles and help the golfer dramatically improve on their golf swing. Those are the days when stretch exercises were very minimal and almost non-existent.
These kinds of golfers would obviously have a serious problem implementing most coaching golf tips and adopting them to their game.
There is yet another reason why many golfers do not benefit from coaching golf tips. It emerges from the fact that not every coaching golf tip will work for every golfer. Some tips will suit the styles of certain golfers more than that of others.
The problem here is that many golfers quickly get discouraged when they find that they cannot use the first few coaching golf tips and abandon all the rest.
This is really sad because in all probability the coaching golf tip that best suits them is somewhere in the long list just waiting to be discovered.
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at his online golf equipment store site – Perform Better Golf. Read more golf tips today!
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Why You Should Warm Up For Golf With Your Driver (And Save 2-3 Shots Per Round!)
November 5, 2011 by Editor
Filed under Golf Equipment, Golf Tips
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
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How to Fix Golf Slice and Stay Straight
Slicing the ball is one of the most common swing faults that frustrates golfers, particularly beginners and those on a higher handicap. The ball will initially fly left of the target line then will curve drastically right. The following hints and tips will explain how to fix golf slice and therefore stay straight and add more distance.
The slice is a weak shot lacking in power and will often fly higher than it should. The reason it curves to the right is because the ball has been struck with an open face therefore aiming off the left.
This shot is usually caused by an incorrect grip and hand action causing the club face to return to the ball in an open position, aiming to the right of the ball to target line. This results in the ball finishing right of your target. A lot of golfers try to remedy this fault by aiming further left to compensate for it.
Unfortunately the more you allow for your slice the more likely you are to perpetuate it. You create a vicious circle because by aiming considerably left your swing path is likely to go the same way and you must deliver the club face in an open position, or the ball will fly straight left.
To fix golf slice we need to look closely at the grip. When you set up, your left hand should hold the grip in the fingers, not too tight. The V’s between thumb and first finger of both hands should point toward the right shoulder not your chin. Another way to check that your grip is correct is to look down at your left hand and you should be able to see at least two knuckles.
Ensure that your feet and shoulders are parallel to the target line, and your left shoulder should be higher than the right one. Also don’t position the ball too far forward in your stance as this will also contribute to an open face.
The next thing to look at is the swing. Check that you are not rolling your hands which will open the club face on the takeaway. At the top of the backswing the club face should be on the same angle as the shoulder plane. With your weight on the right leg make a full shoulder turn.
On the downswing, swing the club down from the top with your hands and arms from the inside, moving your arms in unison close to the right hip. On the through swing move your arms away from the left hip to clear the left side. The back of the left hand and forearm should rotate within the arc of the swing and the club shaft must point downwards on the follow through as your weight shifts onto your firm left leg.
Follow these hints and tips and in no time you will learn how to fix golf slice and be hitting straight down the middle of the fairway and with more distance.
Use these how to fix golf slice hints and tips and stay on the fairway and out of trouble. This will make a massive difference to the enjoyment of your game and also trim your handicap significantly. Tips on how to hit a driver straight would also be helpful.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5718707
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Easy Way to Lower Your Golf Score
Whether you are a newbie to golf or you are a weekend regular, I am willing to bet the house that you would like an easy way to lower your golf score. Whether you need to know how to cure a slice or add some distance to your drives, there are surely some things in your game keeping your scores higher than you like.
An easy way to lower your golf score actually begins at home. Believe it or not, your tee shot may not be the culprit behind your lousy scores. While a long, straight tee shot is a thing of beauty to watch, it is the short chip shots and missed putts that really cause a score to mount. For this reason you need to set up a few golf drills at home that can be practised in your own back yard. Here are some good ones.
Set up three or four targets at varying distances. Think about your approach shots from 100 to 150 yards from the green. Do you find yourself 10 to 15 yards short of the green, or off to the left or right? If you could get that short little 15 foot chip within a couple feet of the pin it would make a much easier putt. That is the distances your targets should be set up. Maybe one about 5 to 10 feet long. Another could be 10 to 15 feet, and yet another 15 to 20 feet away. You get the idea. Imagine the target as where you want your chip shot to land, then practise until it becomes natural. This extra work alone could erase 2 or 3 strokes a round.
You should also practise putting at home. Again, set up varying lengths for your practise putts. The main thing you are doing here is working on a stroke that is constant.
When you go to the driving range, try and resist the urge to bang 75% of the bucket of balls with your driver. If you are trying to cure a slice by hitting more and more drives there is a good chance that you are just reinforcing the bad swing that causes the slice in the first place. In other words, you may be making things worse. Spend the majority of your practise range time working with a wedge up through a 7 iron. If you can get those 100 to 150 yard shots closer to the green your score will drop tremendously.
Using these simple practise methods is an easy way to lower your golf score. The short game, along with accurate putting, is the real key to improvement. Once you master that part of your game it will be time to move on to the more difficult task of fixing that slice.
So, now that your short game is improving, how do you keep your drives in the fairway? Is that wicked slice ruining your confidence right from the very first tee? You can learn to hit it straighter and farther IF you have the proper instruction. Check out Instant Slice Cure and fix the old banana ball once and for all!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1384709
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The Golf Down Swing
June 4, 2011 by Editor
Filed under Golf Club, Golf Equipment, Golf Tips
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.
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4 Tips For Hitting Straight Tee Shots With Your Driver
Many golfers want to learn how to hit the ball farther and often golf tips on the driver are focused on the aspect of increasing distance. However, equally and maybe even more important is your accuracy with the driver. If you can hit the ball 300 yards but aren’t keeping it in the fairways, it’s still going to be a challenge to score well. I’m going to share 4 helpful tips that will help you hit your drives straighter so you’ll be splitting the fairways on a consistent basis.
1) The first tip is to complete your shoulder turn and your backswing. Many golfers are in such a rush to start their downswing and hit the ball that they actually fail to complete their backswings! This is a huge step for longer drives but also for more accuracy and here’s why. If a golfer fails to turn his or her shoulders all the way in the backswing, the upper body will tend to get too open at impact which will pull the club head across the line towards left field (or left of your target). The goal after impact is to swing your club head down your target line just after impact. This will help keep the ball going straighter. If the shoulders are open at impact, the club will be dragged left and it’s much more difficult to hit a straight drive.
2) Widen your stance. This can seem like a simple tip but a slightly wider than normal width stance is helpful for driving for a couple of reasons. A wider stance allows you to stay balanced and make a good turn and a proper weight shift. The wider stance will help keep the body stable and allow the upper body to coli against the lower body better for a good swing sequence. Good balance from a wider stance will help you keep your club on a correct swing path and swing plane which will in turn lead to straighter golf shots.
3) Swing the club over your right shoulder and then over your left shoulder. This tip helps get your swing plane on track. Without having a swing that is on plane, it is difficult to hit straight golf shots or straight drives. If you can get your club on plane at the top of your backswing, it’s much easier to keep it on plane correctly in your downswing. This will allow you to get the club in the slot near the impact zone and send the ball flying straight down the middle of the fairways. Swinging the club over your left shoulder in your follow through will keep it on plane also. Working on this tip in your follow through will actually improve the rest of your golf swing. When you get one part of your swing correct, it tends to carry over into other parts of your swing.
4) Keep your club face square. This is an important concept to get correct at address, impact, and also at various other points in the swing. I like to have checkpoints when talking about or working on a particular technical aspect or part of the golf swing. The checkpoints I use for keeping a square club face are in your takeaway when the club is parallel with the ground, your club head should point straight up towards the sky or slightly inward while the club shaft is pointing parallel with your target line. The next checkpoint is at the top of your backswing, your clubface should be parallel with your left forearm. If you missed the first checkpoint, it’ll be difficult to be in the right place at the top of your backswing. That is why it’s helpful to have an order when learning a particular aspect of the golf swing or important point. In this case, having a square clubface is what we are trying to achieve to improve accuracy with our tee shots.
The Golf Swing Genius is a top golf instructor dedicated to helping you play your best golf. Learn how to bomb your driver down the fairways with our Golf Driver Tips.
Start Playing Great Golf now by learning a golf swing system that works.
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A Golf Exercise Program Will Leave Your Playing Partners in Envy
It’s no secret that a golf exercise program can put you heads and tails above your playing partners and competitors. Why do you think all the Pro’s are doing it?
Golf is no longer just the leisure game it used to be. It is now recognized as an athletic sport. As with all other athletic sports, your body’s strength plays a crucial part in how well you play the game.
FACT: A stronger body plays better golf. Most strength-building workouts can be beneficial to some degree, but a golf exercise program will enable you to hit longer — and straighter — drives with less effort and hit more accurate shots, which will consequently lower your scores.
GOLF TIP: Strengthen Your Back and Prevent Low Back Pain — so that you can play 18 holes without fatigue
Did you know that doing even just one exercise will greatly improve the strength of your back so that you will be able to play 18 holes, or hit balls all day without any pain?
I call this powerful little exercise the “Lying Superman.” You won’t believe the amazing difference this exercise can make in your strength until you actually do it — so go for it! All you have to do is lie on your stomach on the floor with your hands at your sides. Raise both your upper body (chest), arms and legs as high as you can. Hold it for a count of 10. And that’s it! Just do this simple exercise for 2 sets every day and you can say goodbye to low back pain!
Playing golf at an optimum level requires muscular strength, power, and endurance. Contrary to what most people think, long practice sessions and hitting hundreds of balls will not improve these components. In fact, they will only result in physical injuries (from overuse) and a great deal of frustration.
Participating in a golf exercise program is the answer!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/42443
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Can A Golf Tip Online Help Your Game
A golf tip online can save you hours out of your schedule, but can it really help your game? With more and more people getting Internet connections, golfers are flocking to the Internet in hopes to find tips, techniques and even total golf performance programs to save their golf game.
There are many concerns with taking a golf tip online and hoping it will be the silver bullet to your game. Always consider the source of this golf tip. If you read an article like this one, or find some resource online, make sure to read the resource box at the bottom of the article.
Usually the article or resource will have a mini-bio of the person who authored the information with a link to either their site or some kind of indepth explanation of who the person is and what their credentials are.
Any golfer no matter what their ability or certifications can post a golf tip online via website, blog or article. On the Internet this is rampant! There are more so-called gurus than ever before. Every golfer probably has some valuable information they have to give, but if they are not qualified to give it, they should probably keep it for their own game.
With the Internet turning into more of a “pay-for-content” vehicle, there are many qualified people who are putting valuable golf tips online, along with reports, ebooks and even complete membership sites like my Golf-Trainer.com site that has been on the net for over 5 years now. Since then, I have seen many imitation sites and products, which is one huge drawback of the web.
Web surfers would never know what reports, ebooks and membership sites are the most credible and original in format and effectiveness. I am always hesitant with reading any golf tip online until I thoroughly look into the person behind the product. How long have they been in their profession? What successes have they helped create? And if you can personally talk to several people who have purchased and benefited from their products?
In researching these products and programs, read all the copy on the site. You will read some pretty amazing stuff that’s hard to swallow. These claims seem impossible when you look at how long they’ve been on the net and how many so-called golfers they’ve helped. Just do some math and you’ll find that these numbers are most likely false.
The bottom line with any golf tip online is if it does in fact help your game. If it does, you will most likely tell other golfing friends about it and the website and business will be successful just from word-of-mouth.
And one last piece of advice. Any person or business giving golf tips online should be reachable. You should easily be able to find their contact information, including phone number. When I answer my phone, people are shocked! I ask them why, and they say they didn’t think there was a “real person” behind it.
That’s a sad situation that shows the skepticism of web visitors. If you have to look hard for the contact information, I would not recommend using or purchasing any golf tips or programs online.
I don’t want to deter you, but just do a little homework when searching for a golf tip online.
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance experts in the country. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert; author, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance membership sites. For more information on golf tips online, go to his golf tips section of Golf-Trainer.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/95716
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Gearing Up Properly For Golf
September 15, 2010 by Editor
Filed under Golf Equipment, Golf Tips
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.
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