Golf school

Friday, December 08, 2006

Ball Position For Different Clubs

Ball position is a critical component that’s often overlooked by players with high golf handicaps. Ball position decides a shot’s initial direction. While theories on ball position abound, you need to find one that’s right for you.

Ball position affects a clubhead’s swing path, as I explain in my golf lessons. If the ball is too far back, the clubhead moves on an in-to-out swing path at impact, sending the ball to the target’s right. If the ball is too far forward, the clubhead moves on an out-to-in swing path at impact, sending the ball to the target’s left.

Correctly positioning the ball increases the clubhead’s chances of meeting the ball at the correct angle of attack and on the right target path. It also helps eliminate a fade or hook, along with other swing adjustments.

Most teaching pros subscribe to the standard ball position theory as do most players and most professional golfers. This theory advocates changing the ball’s position depending on the club used. If you’ve taken golf lessons or read my golf tips, you’re probably familiar with this theory.

For example, the ideal ball position for the driver is just inside the heel of your front foot. Placing the ball there ensures that the clubhead makes impact just beyond the swing’s lowest point, with an upward, sweeping motion of the club—the perfect swing for the being used.

The ideal position for long irons, on the other hand, is slightly back from the driver’s position. The ideal position for mid-irons is one or two balls back from this position. And the ideal position for short irons is in the middle of your stance.

These positions place the ball at the lowest point in your swing, given the length of the club used and the type of swing taken. In addition, placing the ball at these positions enable the golfer to make clean contact with a crisp descending blow—the key to hitting iron shots well.

Much golf instruction is built around the standard theory. But not every teaching pro advocates it. David Leadbetter, who’s taught numerous pro golfers, like Nick Price, and written several books, offers another approach. It’s one he stresses in his golf instruction books. Like the standard theory, it makes sense.

Leadbetter suggests that players with lower golf handicaps position the ball (1) just inside the left heel for woods and (2) two balls back for irons. For players with high golf handicaps, he suggests positioning the ball (1) in the middle of their stances for irons and (2) a ball or two forward from that position for woods.

His reasoning is logical. Players with low golf handicaps use their lower bodies more aggressively than players with high handicaps. Players with low golf handicaps are capable of taking advantage of a forward ball position. Players with high handicaps are not.

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus also offers a ball position theory, which he explains in his golf instruction books. It, too, make sense.

Nicklaus advocates a constant ball position, regardless of the club used. He believes that the ball opposite the left heel is the only spot where the club ever travels parallel to the target line. Any other position towards the back foot means the ball is struck too early in the downswing. Instead of re-positioning the ball, Nicholas favors changing your stance, depending on the club. Open your stance for the shorter irons, and pull the right foot back, to make the stance wider and squarer, as the club’s shaft length increases. Winner of 18 majors, Nicholas has a theory that seems to work for him at least.

Another consideration with ball position is tee height. I tell players taking my golf lessons that the ball’s equator should be even with the top of the driver when the ball is on the tee. Placing the ball higher enables the player to hit the ball on the upward arc of his/her swing. Players with oversize clubheads, then, need longer tees to reach the right height.

A third consideration with ball position is weather. If it’s windy, tee the ball higher if you’re hitting with the wind to generate loft. The added loft enables the wind can carry the ball farther. Tee the ball lower if you’re hitting against the wind to produce a low shot, like a line drive in baseball. This type of shot cuts through the wind and rolls farther than a shot with loft.

Regardless of which theory it is, find one that’s right for you, just like Jack Nicklaus did. Test each theory out while on the practice range and under game conditions. Work on it until you find the ball position that’s right for you. Then, use it every time you play.
Http://www.golfschool-tarsem.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Back Exercises For Golfers

Back exercises for golfers can have many benefits. If you experience back pain during practice, play, after play or daily, you will see a huge benefit from doing back exercises specific to golf.

Back Strength Exercises Are Critical

Most golfers experience back pain for just a couple of reasons. Some kind of disc disruption or injury; tight muscles surrounding the lower back including the glutes; and lastly weak muscles that protect the lower back from the stress the golf swing causes.

Strengthening the glutes, lower back and even hip muscles will give you much better protection from injury while on the course. These back exercises do not require a gym, nor even equipment. Many of these exercises are done just using your body weight and nothing more.

The key to reducing and eliminating back pain is consistency with your back strength exercises. You get out of it what you put into it. If you're consistent, you'll see impressive results; if you're not, you will be dealing with the same low back problems as before.

Back Stretching Exercises

Stretching exercises for your back should focus on similar muscles as in the strength section above. A muscle that is improved from a strenth AND flexibily standpoint will consistently avoid the low back injury/pain syndrome.

The glutes, lower back area and hips will be the focus with your back stretching program. Releasing these muscles via stretching will give you almost instant relief from low back pain. It's amazing what little bit of stretching will do.

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Sunday, December 03, 2006

Golf Exercise Benefits

Golf exercise benefits are many. Golfers have struggled for years with their games and have become very frustrated. I can’t tell you how many times I play with golfers who are about to quit the game.

To explain golf exercise benefits to a golfer takes a little convincing, but in a short amount of time they become believers. There are so many I can’t possible list them all in this article, but you will be motivated to take this approach.

Some of the main golf exercise benefits are; improved power for longer drives; dramatically improved stability for better consistency; a body that moves freer, removing tension from the swing; more energy for 18 holes; elimination of injuries; weight loss; improved concentration due to a reduction in fatigue; I could go on-and-on.

Improved Power For Longer Drives

If your body is weak and inflexible you will not be able to achieve optimal swing mechanics. Such things as a full shoulder turn, with minimal hip rotation; creating and retaining torque (energy) in your core for maximum clubhead spead; proper sequence of motion with muscles firing at the appropriate time; being able to swing just a little harder on long par 5’s and still be in control.

Removing Tension From The Swing

When you improve your flexibility (range of motion specific to your golf swing) you are able to make a full backswing with no tension in the supporting muscles of the swing. Like the shoulders, lower back, upper back (lats), and even the wrists. It is known in most athletics that less tension equals more power.

More Energy For 18 Holes

One of the biggest culprits of back nine blow-ups is loss of energy resulting in poor mental confidence and swing mechanics. I see this one all the time when I play…golfers who are out of shape and lack appropriate fuel intake and maintenance. Having energy for 18 holes builds tremendous confidence and a higher level of play.

Elimination Of Injuries

Golf injuries are prevalent among all amateur golfers, especially senior golfers. The golf swing is a damaging movement on the human body. Swinging a club between 80-100 mph in less than a second can be traumatic. Golfers who don’t have an adequate level of golf strength and flexibility are susceptible to injury every time they swing the club. The lower back usually takes the brunt of the stress and strain. Then hips, knees, shoulders and even wrists. A stronger, more flexible golfer will avoid injuries indefinitely.

Weight Loss

I have worked with over 10,000 golfers via my online golf performance website and they all fill out an initial golf fitness profile. Since I review every one of them personally, I see how many of them have weight loss of 10-30 pounds as a goal. There are more overweight golfers on the course than fit ones. This is because golfers have not come to the conclusion the fitness plays a critical role in golf performance. Exercising will not only improve lean muscle, but melt fat away. To not only improve their golf, but lose weight is icing on the cake for any golfer.

Improved Concentration

How many times have you had a good score going into the back nine only to have a couple of blow-up holes that ruined your score? It happens all the time. Why? Because your body fatigues and your brain doesn’t maintain a high enough level of concentration. The result is poor club selection; swing mechanics and diminishing confidence. A fitter golfer will always have the edge over an out-of-shape one. When the round progresses and tension creeps in they will prevail every time.

The above are only a few golf exercise benefits…but enough to hopefully convince you that it’s worth looking into. The golf swing is now being viewed as a very athletic movement, like baseball, tennis, etc…and should be approached from a conditioning emphasis. I hope you now realize the return on investment from these golf exercise benefits.

Http://www.golfschool-tarsem.blogspot.com

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Monday, November 27, 2006

Tips On How To Buy A Used Golf Cart

More and more golfers in recent years are choosing to buy
their own golf cart instead of just renting them when they play. Many feel that
owning their own cart is actually cheaper in the long run.

And for some, there are clear advantages to owning their own
golf cart. For instance, if you like to play golf a lot, perhaps five times a
week, and your golf course charges you $15 for a cart rental, you are spending
nearly $75 a week just on golf cart rentals. If you buy a used golf cart instead
for $3500 - $4000, it would pay for itself in only about one year's time. And
considering that golf carts can easily last 10 years or more, you should be able
to recover the cost of your cart many times over in saved golf cart rental fees.

For those who live in retirement communities, a golf cart can
be put to even more uses than just those on a golf course too, such as making
small, short trips around the retirement community where the use of a car would
not be practical. Obviously then, there can be good reasons for owning your own
golf cart. And if you want to save the most money, buying a used golf cart can
make a lot of financial sense.

So if you have decided that buying a used golf cart will work
well for your needs, where do you go to get one? Well, if you're not very
familiar with golf cart construction and maintenance you should probably
consider first visiting some of the golf cart dealers that are in your local
area. Usually they will have a nice selection of not only new golf carts, but
also used ones as well.

But don't just buy a golf cart from any old dealer. It's a
good idea to make sure that the dealer is both reliable and trustworthy before
you buy. In view of this, find out how long the dealer has been in business. Get
to know their operation better by visiting their service department to see how
many technicians they have on staff to be able to handle golf cart repairs.
Visit the parts department as well to see if they have a good selection of parts
on hand for quick installation. You may even want to find out if they offer
on-site service for golf cart repairs too, as this can save you the trouble of
having to transport the cart to the dealer for repairs in some cases.

Perhaps the best information can be gleaned from asking your
friends and family who may have owned golf carts in the past about their
recommendations regarding local golf cart dealers. Very often you can quickly
get a good picture of those who make customer satisfaction an important part of
their business, and those who don't.

On the other hand, if you are somewhat familiar with golf
carts and their maintenance schedules, you can probably save the most money and
get the best deal by finding a local individual party who has a used golf cart
for sale. Of course, you'll want to test drive the cart thoroughly under
conditions that are similar to those that match the way that you will be using
your golf cart. You may even want to get the opinion of a trusted golf cart
mechanic before you make your final decision.

Buying a used golf cart need not be a difficult task at all if
you follow the tips and suggestions that are given above in this article.
Hopefully, they will help you find the golf cart that will fit both your budget
and your needs.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

How to Choose the Right Golf Ball

Choosing the right ball is critical to cutting your golf handicap. A ball impacts your game almost as much as your clubs, so it’s important to choose a ball that’s right for you. Below is a six-step process for selecting the right golf ball, a process I often review in my golf lessons and golf tips. It’s a relatively new selection approach. But first, let’s review the standard historical approach to choosing a golf ball.

Standard Selection Approach

With this approach you chose a golf ball going from the tee forward. In other words, you hit balls from the tee and observed their performance characteristics. You based your decisions primarily on control and distance, depending on their preference.

This approach was appropriate when ball-manufacturing technology was simpler. Here were your options.

If you wanted the ultimate in control, you chose a three-piece with a balata cover. It offered high-spin rates, soft feel, and good maneuverability, but it lacked durability. I used to recommend this ball in my golf lessons and golf tips for players with low golf handicaps adept at shot making.
If you wanted the ultimate in distance, you chose a two-piece ball with a Surlyn cover. This ball would travel far and last a long time. Unfortunately, its lack of spin greatly reduced control, especially around the greens. I used to recommend this ball for players with high golf handicaps who needed distance more than control.
If you wanted something in between, you choose a three-piece ball with a Surlyn cover. With this ball, you sacrificed a little control for more distance and durability. This ball worked relatively well.

This process worked well for a long time. But it’s less appropriate for evaluating today’s golf balls, which incorporate the latest advancements in technology.

Breakthroughs in Technology

Ball manufacturing technology saw several breakthroughs in the 1990s and beyond, complicating selection. Multilayer balls, like the Top-Flite Strata, which provide less spin for more distance and a softer cover for better control around the greens, hit the market in 1996, followed by Titleist’s Pro V1—a solid-core, distance ball—in 2000. Nike’s One and Titleist’s Next also debuted in the last 10 years.

While these balls all represented technological breakthroughs, they challenged the standard approach ball selection. Basically, you still chose a ball from the tee going forward based on distance and control.

A New Selection Approach

Today, there’s another approach to choosing a ball. This approach is based on going from the green backwards. It’s proving more appropriate for today’s game. Below is a six-step methodology for choosing a ball based on this new approach.

Step 1: Define Your Needs.

First, you need to (1) assess your game, (2) define your needs, and (3) decide what you want and don’t want from a ball. Defining your needs is crucial to choosing the right ball. Remember not everyone with the same ball-striking ability, golf handicap, and/or swing speed will play the same ball. Ask yourself such questions as “Do I need more distance?”, “Do I need more control with my irons?”

Step 2: Chose Test Balls

Select several balls you want to test. Base your decision on your defined needs. Try selecting balls from each category—multilayered, two-piece, and super soft, low compression—to see how they test. Remember not every manufacturer’s models of the same type ball will react exactly alike.

Step 3: Test from the Fringe

Take the test balls to the fringe of the green. Hit some chip shots and pitch shots, and observe the results. See which balls hit the green and “check” and which hit the green and release. Then, hit some putts and sand-shots. Observe performances. In general, the multilayer balls will feel softer, fly a bit low, and stop or check more on the green than their two-piece counterparts. Super-soft balls will roll the farthest with the least amount of spin after hitting the ground.

Step 4: Test from 100 Yards

Take the balls and move out into the fairway to the 100-yard marker. Test each ball from that point and observe each ball’s checking and releasing characteristics after it hits the green.

Step 5: Test Balls from 150 yards

Now, take your balls out to the 150-yard marker and hit from there. Observe the results. Use the same criteria to evaluate each ball.

Step 6: Test Balls from the Tee

Go to the tee box and hit the balls with your driver. Look for drives that reach their apex or highest point quickly and then level out and carry far down range. What you don’t want to see are drives that start low and then shoot up like a jet plane taking off. Such shots indicate that the driver has added too much spin to the ball, resulting in shorter drives that hook or slice more.
Now, obviously you can’t necessarily go out onto the course to do all this testing. Your local range or practice area will work just fine. Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re ready to choose. Base your decision on the most meaningful combination of performance qualities—meaningful to you, that is. For example, golfers who base their iron play on shots that hit and bite close to where they land will probably prefer a multilayer ball, even if it means sacrificing a little trajectory and distance.

Remember a golf ball impacts your game almost as much as your clubs. If the ball you choose doesn’t feel right after selecting it, try another. Give each ball a fair trail.

Choosing a ball that’s right for you, as I say in my golf lessons and golf tips, takes some work, but it’s well worth the effort. Having the right ball is crucial to improving your game and lowering your golf handicap. It also helps build self-confidence. Choose wisely.

By Jack Moorehouse

Personalized Golf Balls

Golf could be the only game where equipments aren’t shared comfortably. Though it could be seen as overzealous individualism, there are several reasons besides such. Golf equipment, that would include golf balls and golf clubs, are the mark of the character. It not only speaks of his success of the green or on the green, it also correlates his playing style and playing strengths. And it also speaks of his vanity.

For instance when Tiger Woods reinvented the game of golf in 1996, Woods was known to carry his old True Temper Dynamic Gold steel-shafted clubs as the main clubs and various smaller steel club heads that provide more accuracy than distance. In the golfing parlance, this is quite inferior equipment, especially on tee driving when other golf professionals predicted of inferior results. He resisted change of clubs. Yet, Tiger Woods’ biggest strength was his lengthy drive and those clubs only serve to give him more accuracy than power.

Personalized golf balls and golf clubs provide you more of what you lack than those taken directly out the rack. Like for instance, lighter graphite shafts affords players with lesser arm strength more power than the heavy steels shafts. But others also who played golf for just as an excuse to use their custom tailored golf equipment. And this people are willing to pay several hundreds of dollars just to have that cache of clubs the PGA Tour pros have. When Tiger Woods used Fujikura Pro 95 graphite model for the Disney Classic Tour Championship, before the event ended as Mike Beal of Fujikura noted a rush of request for similar graphite model coalesce.

Personalized golf balls than those off the rack can also give you a bit more distance and control, depending on which you need sometime in the game. Harder balls, those that have hard rubber core can convert power easily. Even if you have a weak drive, using a solid core plus a lengthier wood would add up to a sizeable distance indeed. That is if you know how to control a longer wood. For more control than power, use irons and a liquid core golf ball.

Golf balls have more in engineering in them than it merits its size, aside from cores. Modern balls have embedded technology that allows longer drives on lower or moderate swing speed. Latest high-lift dimple construction allows more air treading than ever before and softer core compression can have both soft feel and explosive impacts.

Did we just say that vanity? Yes, personalized golf balls can also be beneficial. It speaks of success and it earns you respect. Having a personalized golf ball and clubs is not only about show, it is also a perfect memorabilia for an important occasion, such as corporate parties or family celebrations.

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.

Few changes in any sport compare with the changes in the game of golf brought about by the rubber ball. It was invented in 1898 by a Cleveland, Ohio, golfer, Coburn Haskell, in association with Bertram Work of the B. F. Goodrich Company. The ball featured rubber thread wound around a solid rubber core. Early gutta-percha gave way to the Balata cover that was developed in the early 1900?s. The popular bramble, mesh, reverse mesh, and a great many other patterns gradually gave way to the aerodynamically superior dimple pattern first used in 1908. Because of the lack of standards, there were many deviations in ball size and weight.

On January 1, 1932, standardization of golf ball weight and size was established by the United States Golf Assn. following 1930 standards set by the British Golf Assn. for a slightly smaller ball. The weight was set at a maximum of 1.620 oz., and diameter not to be less than 1.680 in. Later. after testing apparatus was developed to measure velocity, a maximum velocity of 250 feet per second was added by the USGA. The durability and precision of today?s ball reflect not only the tremendous technological advancement of their manufacture but also the development of space age plastics, silicone, and improved rubber.

By Bob Power

What is a golf ball?

Many years ago golf was played in Scotland, they obviously did not have all the equipment that we enjoy nowadays and certainly did not play the game in the structured manner that we do. Back then they had to utilise both golf balls and clubs which were both manufactured from wood.It as back in the 17th century that the feather golf ball was designed and introduced, another word for this type of ball was the featherie.

The feather golf ball was made from goose feathers which were compressed into a sphere which was normally cow hide. The feathers were compressed into the cow hide whilst the cow hide was still wet. When all the feathers were in the hide was left to dry and as it dried it shrank creating a hard golf ball.These balls, however due to the nature of creation and build time were very very expensive and quite often cost much more than the golf club itself. Due to the cost of purchase only the more financially privileged golfers could afford to purchase such a ball.After the feather ball came the creation of the guttie golf ball.

This type of ball was made from the sap of a gutta tree, the gutta tree is predominantly found in the tropics, These balls were created whilst the sap was hot where the ball was shaped, when it dried it formed a hard rubbery golf ball. Due to the ease of manufacture these golf balls were a lot cheaper to both manufacture and purchase.There was a huge difference between the featherie and the guttie though. The guttie did not fly as far or as true as the featherie. This was identified as being due to the completely smooth surface of the gutterie which limited the golf ball in the air.Designers of golf balls eventually came up with a solution - the creation of the golf ball dimple - and these are still utilised on golf balls nowadays.

Dimples on a golf ball

The dimples on a golf ball are created to reduce resistance to air whilst the ball is in flight. When a ball without dimples is in the air a huge pocket of dead air is created behind the ball which creates drag, therefore slowing the ball down. The dimples on a golf ball reduces this dead air behind the ball, therefore reducing drag and allowing the golf ball to travel. It does this by the dimples creating turbulence in the air around the golf ball which in turn ensures that a spiral like trail of air is left behind the ball rather than a huge amount of dead air. This spiral of air allows other air particles to flow around the ball rather than just past it.

The dimples of the golf ball dependant upon the type of center in the ball can allow for an amount of spin to be imparted onto the ball at impact, this can either create backspin upon impact with the ground or allow the golfer to control the ball better in the air - ie to draw a ball.

Dimples have been on golf balls now for many many years, however it is believed that they were created after the introduction of a one piece golf ball with a rubber core. This golf ball had a smooth outer on it and golfers found that they were able to hit a better shot as the ball started to wear - ie the outer edge started to become rough. It was around 1905 when the dimpled golf ball was officially introduced and from this time dimples have been used on all golf balls, in 1921 the golf ball was modified so that all balls were a standard size and they were all the same weight.

Nowadays, there is an absolutely staggering amount of variety when it comes to the selection of a golf ball. There are golf balls which are designed to go a long way, other which are designed to be very soft so that more control can be achieved. Even the dimples vary slightly between balls, there are some balls which have more than others and some balls have slightly different shaped dimples. No matter which golf ball you decide to play you can be sure that you are playing with an item which has evolved through evolution and is at present at or very near its optimum.
By: Peter Cunningham

Monday, November 20, 2006

How can a Golf Bag Help You Play Better?

Seems like a silly question, however using a golf bag that matches your style of play will make the game more enjoyable and if you are enjoying your game more, you will usually play better. In recent years there have been vast improvements in how golf bags are made, the materials they are made from, the durability of those materials. The styles or types of golf bags has also evolved.

Consider the Sunday Bag, this is typically meant to carry a smaller assortment of golf clubs and equipment, it is meant to be carried and usually for a quick 9 holes, maybe even on an executive or par 3 course. They have been around for a while, they are usually constructed of lightweight nylon, and usually are not designed to carry a full set of clubs.
The typical carry bag has evolved so much that carrying your own full set of clubs in becoming much more popular. The lightweight ballistic nylon materials used to make most of these bags keeps the weight down, and the new 2 shoulder carry strap systems distribute the weight evenly across your back and shoulders, as well as make it very easy to pick up and put down. Many of them also have the spring loaded retractable legs that are common on stand bags. Will carry a full 14 club set.
The stand bag, so named because of the lightweight, spring loaded, and retractable legs that extend automatically when you set the bag down. This feature allows ready access to your clubs at a natural angle without bending down. Stand bags are constructed of lightweight materials and designed to be carried. Will carry a full 14 club set.
The grand daddy of golf bags, the staff bag is still available and is really meant to be carried by a caddie. These bags are heavy usually made of heavier materials. These are the bags seen on tour, and are made to carry anything you think you might need during your round, extra balls, extra towels, extra gloves, snacks, water, as well as your 14 golf clubs. Fully loaded they can weight in at 40-70 pounds.
A fairly new innovation is the cart bag. These are usually a little larger than the typical carry or stand bag, which makes them a little awkward to carry for more than a short distance. They are designed for use with a cart, either a push, pull or power cart. They feature many pockets most of which are accessible without removing the bag from the cart. These bags will carry the full 14 club set.
Have a junior golfer in the group? The junior bag is a lightweight bag just the right size to be carried by the aspiring young golfer from age 5 up to early teens. They will carry typical junior set of 5-8 clubs.

By Jimmie Newell