- Marriage Counseling: Using Games to Reduce Tension

Marriage is one of the most enjoyable but also one of the most painful experiences that people undergo. It carries with it the whiff of romance and eternal bliss, but sometimes you get a pack of thorns instead.How Do You Ensure Your Marriage Is a Bed of Roses and not Thorns?One of the major ingredients that a happy marriage needs is a willingness to compromise. But that is much more difficult than it seems. Everyone will agree that they need to compromise, but what happens when the issue is not a simple and tiny one? What then? Who Compromises first? I am sure you must have said to yourself at one point or another that enough is enough. You will no longer be the patsy. You are an independent person and your partner has crossed the line. Maybe. Maybe your relationship has died and you are just beginning to realize it. Maybe your sentiments are more passionate than romantic. Maybe you no longer love her.Stop being a fool!What if I told you that the solution to your marital strife is not divorce. Am I mad? Look around. How many divorces do you know? Plenty. Me too. But are they really happier off? What is the first thing that a divorced person does? He or she goes out and starts looking for partners. Isn't that strange? No. You say that everybody needs somebody to love. Maybe. I say that they had that somebody and they just let them go. So please stop being foolish.Why not tackle your problems with a simple suggestion? A Game. Games as a Peace Maker:Playing brings out the child in us and causes us to express more than we normally would. We also release bottled up frustration and let go of mental thorns in our outbursts of joy and anguish as we win or lose. Games unite people together and therefore I suggest playing together but if you wish one can play against the other. The game turns into a battle but only this time, after its over, you will both feel refreshed from losing all that bottled up pain and anger.Games to Pick From:Try picking games that both of you like or at least somewhat active ones. You could even play hide and seek in the house or something else. If you do prefer playing cards, pick a game which does not go on for long and which requires some thinking like hearts, poker, bridge or rummy. Keep score and determine before hand that the loser has to do something for the winner. Chores is not a prize for the winner! If you lose you have to do something that that the other person wants for themselves like give them their favorite massage or cook them their favorite meal.Conclusion:Games are a welcome ambrosia to love and will excite you as a couple to disregard all your frustrations and anger and deal only with the good. The anger and frustrations will not magically disappear, but now you can deal with them together calmly and in a good mood.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com

- Golf The Universal Sport With Proper Instruction

Golf is an interesting and popular sport which originated in Scotland in the seventeenth century, although it had been in existence in one form or the other even many centuries previous to that. In most places of the world, especially the United States, it is very popular among the business community. It has long been thought that many a board room decision has actually taken place on the golf course and just endorsed formally at the meetings. Therefore, knowing golf is considered an extra skill in business circles. Many good universities even offer courses to teach golf to interested people. But everyone may not have the time or money to learn golf from a professional teacher either in person or through an institute.A good alternative would be to watch a golf instruction video produced by professionals. Golf instruction videos offer the comfort of learning at one’s own convenience, pace and location. You may not even need to go to a golf club and still gain sufficient knowledge about the game by carefully watching and assimilating a set of good instruction videos. Even further on the plus side, one doesn't feel hesitant to watch a video ten times over if you are having a hard time grasping some concept. If you're shy about "owning up" to a shortcoming and dread facing an instructor to ask "what?" over and over, these are for you.Videos can either be purchased in stores or online. There are many websites which provide golf instruction videos if one is serious about learning golf. Worth noting, in either case, is who is featured on the video. Check the instructor's professional profile; a player who has sufficient experience in the game is most likely to give better instruction than someone who has not had that much exposure on the course.The upside to any instruction video is the motivation "knowing and understanding" lends to get you up and onto the golf course. Thus golf instruction videos provide an excellent complement to instruction, but never can replace the "real thing."Knowledge gained and applied provides a great starting point for the beginner, and an increase of skill for the intermediate to advanced golfer. Independent of weather, proper instruction can increase your enjoyment and decrease your score for that perfect golf game.

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Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Dr. Richard Myers provides the novice and avid golfer with the means to improve his or her golf swing and golf game. If your game needs improvement visit thinkandreachpar.com

- Playing Golf on the Cheap: Buying Used Equipment

Investing in a set of quality golf clubs is an important step to take for anyone serious about learning the sport. The first thing to consider when choosing a set of golf clubs is your basic ability level. Choosing to buy used golf clubs is an affordable way to take part in a game that has been a favorite for centuries. One of the most common myths about golf clubs is that the brand of clubs you use makes a significant difference. Searching golf product sites for used golf clubs is a reasonable process in your quest for used golf clubs.Shopping for close-outs and last year model golf clubs is a great way to save money. Exploring golf product websites for used golf clubs is a reasonable process in your quest for used golf clubs The best way to purchase used golf clubs is to actually hold them in your hand and swing them to get a feel for what you want. A "set" of golf clubs is restricted to no more than 14 clubs. Buying golf clubs is, in a lot of ways, like buying a car. The ultimate goal in buying your new golf clubs is so you can have more fun out on the golf course and hopefully win a few rounds with your foursome. Now another best way of trying out golf clubs is to rent it first from golf rental clubs. Let's face it, buying new golf clubs is exciting and we all like to do it. . You should also purchase your golf bag depending on the number of golf clubs that you have. Golf equipment must consist of no more than one golf bag with golf clubs, golf balls, and shoes. Make sure that your golf bag accommodates the unique specifications of your golf clubs. A golf bag is an essential piece of equipment. Finding the right golf bag can certainly be a challenge sometimes. Critical to the performance of any golf clubs is that the clubs themselves FIT the person who is playing them. Purchasing golf clubs is a major investment, and proper fitting is the single most important factor in performance. Getting hooked up with the right golf clubs is just as important as learning how to swing a golf club correctly. The first thing to know about the basic of golf clubs is what clubs make up a set.WoodsA typical golfer's bag will have a driver (called 1-wood) and a couple of fairway woods (3- and/or 5-wood). A driver is the longest club (usually 45 inches) making it the toughest to control during a swing. IronsIrons feature thin clubheads with grooves on it. Experienced players opt for a blade style iron while beginners get a cavity-back style. A blade-style has a clubhead with a full back, whereas a cavity back’s clubhead is hollow. It is hollowed out to create a perimeter weighting effect helpful for less-experienced golfers. Irons are categorized as long (1, 2, 3,4), mid- (5,6,7) and short (8,9). Short irons are the easiest to hit while the long ones are the hardest. The shorter the iron, the more loft there is and for beginners, the more loft, the better. PuttersPutters are the clubs most often used in the game and come in clubhead styles of blade, heel-toe and mallet. Lengths come in belly putters, standard and broomstick (long) putters. Which option to get is a personal choice.Utility clubs/hybridsThe clubs combine features of woods and irons and are best for beginners who may not want to buy too many clubs straight out. Typically, the center of gravity on a lot of golf clubs is around the middle to high point on a clubface.Finding used golf clubs is the best bet for golf. Storage of golf clubs is another consideration. To rush out and buy a brand new set of shiny and expensive golf clubs is a mistake usually made by those who want to get started.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
For more helpful information and tips about golf , please visit www.bestgolftipsplus.com

- Great Golf Tournament Gift Ideas

So, your boss gave you the opportunity assignment of coordinating the next corporate golf tournament! It sounded kind of fun, until you realized you still had to do your regular job, and then found out there is much involved in coordinating a golf tournament. You have to deal with - arrangements with the golf course, banquet decisions, pairings, tournament format, tee prizes, event winners, skill awards (longest drive, closest to the pin, hole-in-one, and longest putt), maybe even some gag awards (shortest drive, most putts per hole, most putts per round, highest hole total, etc.), sponsors, auctions and raffles.Today's post will focus on some great tournament gift ideas and give a good estimate of the cost involved. Future posts will provide helpful hints on other areas of tournament organization. All of the gifts listed below can be found at http://www.gettingtopar.com .1. Tee Prizes are gifts given to every participant in the tournament. It can be as simple as a a sleeve of balls (with corporate / organization logo on it) to more elaborate prizes depending on the budget you have to work with. The following is a list of gift ideas for Tee Prizes that are great hits with participants - all prices are estimates per unit and include event / corporate logo's as appropriate. All gifts would be available without logo's at a consistently lower price.• Golf Calendars - 2007 Now Available (from about $8.99 depending on quantity) • Ball mark repair tools (prices can range from $1.60 ea to as much as $8.00 depending upon material, features and quantity ordered) • Ball markers (plastic or wood -prices range from about 10 cents each) • Shoe bags (prices range from between $10 and $20 depending specific bag and type printing i.e. embroidered or screen print). • Beverage Holders (from about $6 to $21) • Umbrellas (from about $14 to $21) • Vinyl Rainsuits (from about $14) • Trunk-it Golf Gear Organizers (from about $38) • Golf Club Travel Bags (from about $26 to $65) • Towels (from about $8 to $16) • Specialty Towels (from about $9 to $30) • Flasks (from about $25) • Bag Watches - Men's and Ladies ($14 - $20) • Golf Theme Desk Organizers ($18 - $28) • Coaster Sets ($30 - $36) • Bag Tags - Wood or Leather ($9 - $11) • Pewter Money Clips ($8) • Club Brushes ($5 - $7) • Plaques - various sizes and materials ($15-$45) • Mugs - 11oz or 15oz (about $14) • Your Pocket Guide to Great Games for Golf -a book for all golfers who play money games - (about $9)2. Trophies and Awards. Depending on the type of tournament, you may want 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies for gross and net scores in each flight. In addition, if it is a team tournament you may want to award gifts and trophies for each team members. Any way you are looking at it, your company or organization is spending a ton of money on this tournament to create a favorable impression for your participants. The last thing you want to do is give out some cheap plastic trophies to your event winners. Gettingtopar.com provides the best quality crystal, ceramic, acrylic and wood trophies. To see examples of these trophies, please visit http://www.gettingtopar.com and click on Tournament Awards / Gifts. Prices are per unit estimates and may vary depending on size, quantity and specific trophy. Prices do include engraving.• Vintage Golfer (one size only -$55) • The Swing Trophy (one size only- $55) • Crystal Ball (3 sizes - prices range from $139 - $192) • Ceramic Golf Cups (3 sizes - $59-$80) • Vintage Jug Trophy - pictured (3 sizes from $76 - $115) • Deco Golf Desktop Clock - (3 sizes from $44 - $50) • Ceramic Decanter Clock (1 size $100) • Wood Pioneers of Golf Mantle Clock (1 size about $40) • Wooden Vintage Trophies (from $28 to $36) • Golf Legend Stein Trophy ($39)3. Skill Awards. While all of the trophies above could be also used for skill awards, special plagues designating skills are available. • Longest Drive (about $30) • Closest to the Pin (about $30) • The Longest Putt (about $30)4. Sponsor Gifts. Many events have sponsor who pat to be an advertiser for the event. This most often happens as a hole sponsor, or perhaps as beverage cart sponsor. Most events purchase a gift for the sponsor to formally acknowledge their contribution to the success of the event. Trophies or plagues make great sponsor gifts. 5. Raffle / Auction Prizes. Raffle prizes are great ways to finish the celebration, and if you event is raising money for a non-profit organization, they are a great way to raise money. Some ideas include:• Embroidered Animal headcovers ($24) • Golf Slippers ($28) • Neoprene Headcovers ($12) • Wine Gift Set ($24) • Golf Bag Watch & Repair Tool Gift Set ($39) • Ball Displays ($55) • Desk Organizer ($61) • Putting Stand ($130) • Desk top accessories ($18 - $28)A couple of other tips on gifts and awards. Plan ahead as personalized orders take more time and lead time may be subject to seasonal demands. You should allow at least 4 weeks of lead time for your order. Artwork must be supplied as Camara Ready Artwork - Artwork with a black and white contract at 300%. Digital artwork considered to be camera ready is supplied at a minimum of 1200 dpi at 300%. You should always provide paper hard copy to show correct layout and color. A fee of $18.75 will be charged for typesetting of up 25 characters. You should always talk to your supplier about your order before actually taking the order. Thanks for reading. I hope this gives you some good ideas for your upcoming tournament. Our next post will discuss tournament formats. Best of luck,Bob at GettingToPar.comhttp://www.gettingtopar.combob@gettingtopar.com
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Bob Johnson is the man behind gettingtopar.com. We are an online retailer of premium golf accessories, golf gifts and tournament awards. We also sell practice equipment and training aids.

- Affordable Golf For Seniors

An affordable senior golf course can be found in Calistoga, California, known for it's small town atmosphere, great hot mineral pools and mud baths. The Mount Saint Helens Golf Course is located near downtown and is a public municipal course (Rating/Slope 66.4/102). It is flat, well maintained and walkable. The 9 hole course is very affordable. It has golf car and club rentals available. Accommodations are somewhat pricey in Calistoga because of the draw of the hot pools and mudbaths as well as the location in the Napa Valley wine country. If you want a wonderful 1930's experience stay at the Indian Springs resort and Spa. ($$$) For something more affordable, consider staying at Dr. Wilkinsons Hot Springs Resort. ($$) There are many wonderful, affordable eating places on the main street. The local grocery store across from Indian Springs also carries prepared foods that are perfect for a picnic or take home. On your way to or from Calistoga you might want to check out the Vintners 18 hole Course in Yountville. It is a more upscale, expensive course in a beautiful setting, looking over the Napa Valley.The Palm Royale Country Club in La Quinta, California is a par 3, 18 hole course situated within a beautiful condominium complex. In addition to the signature palm trees the course includes numerous mini-lakes strategically placed among the holes. It is relatively flat, walkable with very reasonable green fees. Being located about 35-40 minutes from Palm Springs provides opportunities for shopping, sightseeing and casino hopping. Accommodations can be pricey. For example, one night's stay at the Courtyard By Marriot in Palm Desert starts at $129. ($$$) In Palm Springs, the Spa Resort Casino owned and operated by the Aqua Caliente Indian Tribe with all of the amenities will start at $98. ($$) Casino Resorts tend to be more reasonably priced to lure you in to spend more money in the casino and restaurants. Casino Restaurants also offer excellent, reasonably priced meals and buffets.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com

- Understanding the benefits of biomechanics in Golf

Biomechanics and GolfThere is information available widely through the web, PGA courses and magazine articles that brings you up to date with the latest thinking in golf. They teach you the latest on how to swing each club correctly, how to putt, how to analyse your swing, how to get mentally ‘tough’, how to improve flexibility and how to fitter and stronger for golf. Today there is a plethora of information being offered about golf. Some of it correct, all of it interesting, but how much of it is relevant to you? And how do you know which of these generic exercise tips is going to help you? Even if you trained using each one for 6 weeks and then took the results onto the course and tried them – how do you then know whether your performance is ‘that exercise’ or that you just had a good day? Even video/digital analysis, although interesting from all points of view measure the movement discrepancies in a golfer's swing, it doesn't tell us why you are performing these movement aberrations. Knowing what you're doing wrong, but not knowing why you’re doing it is sometimes worse than not knowing what you're doing wrong! Golfers and Coaches need a simple system of analysis that they can use in conjunction with their coaching techniques to find out why golfers perform their particular swing. Although there are fundamental similarities to all good swings, each swing is like a finger-print and unique to that individual. Why is it unique? It’s because we are all biomechanically different and unless you understand what those differences are, how can you identify whether your swing is due to poor technique or something that has to done to compensate for a mechanical problem? You can’t. The variety of golf swings that exists represents the many ways that the human body can compensate for its biomechanical problems.For example, let’s take a typical handicapper’s slice. You know the typical causes of a slice and the things you would normally work on, bearing in mind the individual and what you see. At the same time we also know that these ways don’t always work. There may be a number of reasons for this, the you may not be practicing, it may take some time to work out which is the best method for you or quite simply it may be that the person doesn’t have it in him to do what you want. Alternatively, it is likely that he can’t do it. If that pupil has a longer right leg (assuming he’s a right handed golfer), then he will have a tendency towards a more upright back swing. We know this because of the way spine and pelvis work biomechanically. A longer right leg compresses the joints in the spine on that side and so they can’t rotate easily. They therefore have to side bend to gap the joints and initiate movement, which causes an upright backswing. We also know that this then leads to a more out-to-in downswing and therefore a slice (depending upon grip and ball position of course). So you could work all day on preventing this upright backswing, which you know is leading to a slice, but it will not change until you’ve addressed the leg length discrepancy. Invariably these leg length discrepancies are cause by a rotated pelvis and often they don’t cause symptoms, you won’t even know it exists. If this is the case then doing some simple exercises can help re-align the pelvis, reduce the leg length discrepancy and allow you to flatten that back swing.There are many more of these examples. As well as leg length discrepancies, other biomechanical issues can include, poor motor programming strategy (the way the muscles link together in movement patterns), poor control between the pelvis and shoulders, nerve adhesions or stiffness, faulty core muscle control, immobility around the hips, pelvis and spine as well as simple lack of flexibility. Some of these issues sound quite technical and complex, but they’re actually very simple to test and eradicate.Biomechanics works ‘hand in glove’ with your teaching, it is crucial Pro’s understand and embrace this as its going to be the next big thing in golf. There is a system that exits that can help you and pros to learn about and address these issues. It comes 3 forms. Firstly there is a software package that takes you through some simple biomechanical tests and the expert system takes you through as series of exercises to eradicate their biomechanical problems. Secondly there are courses, which are endorsed by the PGA, which teach PGA professionals how to assess their own pupils and administer the exercises themselves. Or, thirdly experts can come to your club and assess your pupils individually and make bespoke recommendations based upon a detailed assessment of their biomechanics and following a discussion with their PGA professional, a decision can be made as to the best programme for them to follow.For further information contact: Andy Loughray 020 8543 5288– email: Andy@humanlabsports.com or visit our website www.humanlabsports.com
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com

- Your Golf Score is determined by Feel

Today, let's get down and dirty about the word "feel" and how I apply it to golf the "Without Practice" way so you can shave some strokes effortlessly this weekend. You know deep down if not at the top of your head, that when you feel good, you will perform or act your best in anything right? Most of us struggle with our feelings because we just let them occur based on whatever is happening in our lives at the time. For instance, if you just get news that you got a raise at work, you are going to have a great feeling for some time after correct? This is a great time to get out on the course as your bio-computer (brain) is now in the optimum conditon for performance. Nobody denies this and yet we go out on the course and choose to say and do things that destroy our optimum performance potential.I am becoming more and more convinced the longer I play this game that how we "feel" during our round determines the variation from our average score more than anything else. What I mean by feel is our STATE. STATE is physiology plus internal representation. It's short for "state of being." So what if we can do things to affect our state just the same as receiving the news that we got a raise at work? We can!Recently, I shot my best round of the year at 1 under par. As I teach people to really dig into how they "felt" when they played a great round, I took notes and after the round really went over the things I was thinking, how my body was responding, what did I eat, what were my eyes seeing, etc. You need this information to help build your optimal state. Once built, you can rebuild it in the future since you now have the blueprint or instructions. WE need to pay far more attention to when we play well than when we don't!Many golfers completely dissect their rounds afterward replaying their bad shots over and over in their minds trying to figure out what went wrong. This only serves to implant suggestions in our unconscious mind that that is how we play. Not good for future rounds. Remember: "as a man thinketh, so shall he become" and other quotes like that? It all stems from the concept of the duality of our mind; the subconscious and the conscious functions. Once we get this, we can do a lot toward the mental side of our game to reach our potential.I used to take advice from the magazines that say you have to keep track of your Greens in regulation, how many putts you had, how many sand saves etc. and then "identify" my weaknesses. Again, not good since putting the focus on the negatives only gives them power and the repetition of thinking about them starts to solidify in your unconscious. Remember that your unconscious doesn't know the difference between a positive or negative thought, it just accepts that which it is most convinced of by repetitive thought or action. And besides, I don't need a scorecard to remind me of my weaknesses on a given round. I know what they are after every round and I can usually pin it down to something I did or didn't do prior to hitting the ball in my pre-shot routine as I discuss in my "Without Practice" system.What you need to start doing right now, next round, is really zero in on the things that go well. Make little celebrations in your mind (be humble with your partners) when you hit a great shot. Turn on the positive emotions and show a big smile when you sink that long putt! Take mental, if not paper and pen, notes on anything worth remembering when you do anything that puts you into that "feel good" state. Create an anchor that you do every time you hit a shot exactly the way you planned it just like the ringing buzzer that Pavlov's dogs were trained to salivate to.When you have bad shots, immediately analyze it afterward, see what you can learn from it and then FORGET IT! It will do you no good whatsoever to hold onto it. You know that your swing is different from day to day as all the pros also complain about. So what benefit can be gained from going over bad shots that could be gone the next day without even trying? Save the analyzing for the range if you do have time to practice. If not, then just keep pounding your subconscious with images of you accomplishing the little things you had trouble with until your next round. That is the "Without Practice" way.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Craig Sigl was an average golfer who shot scores in the 90's for 20 years. At the age of 38, he finally achieved his goal to score in the 70's and he did it Without Practicing. Today, he is a Certified Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner and he plays to a 5 handicap. Find out his methods and get more free ebooks and articles on golf instruction at www.break80golf.com

New Ideas from the Stack and Tilt Swing

In the most recent issue of Golf Digest (June 2007) there is a detailed description of what is called the "Stack and Tilt" swing. This golf swing is being promoted by golf coaches Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett.In describing the Stack and Tilt swing, Peter Morrice, the author of the article, indulges in a bit of overstatement when he says "Their secret...contradicts almost everything being taught in the game today." But is this swing really that unique?The Key DifferenceThe most important difference with the "Stack and Tilt" swing is the way it encourages golfers to keep their weight forward - on their front foot during the entire swing. Stack and Tilt does away with the normal "weight shift" concept during the different parts of the swing. With Stack and Tilt the golfer starts with about 60% of her weight on the front foot, and presses even more weight towards the front when taking the club back.Some older golfers will think this looks like a "reverse pivot" where the golfer seems to be leaning towards the target at the top of the swing. Teachers of the typical modern swing have their golf students draw the club back and stack their weight over their back leg when the club hits the top of the swing. But Stack and Tilt encourages the golfer to lean towards the target while the club is taken up.Other Subtle DifferencesIt may be hard for many golfers to spot the differences at first, but some of these differences are significant. For one thing teachers of the typical modern swing want the back leg to remain slightly flexed at the knee. But with the Stack and Tilt swing the back leg straightens out as it pushes back towards the target. See the photos featured in the Golf Digest article on page 122.This means that the front side of the body is "stacked" over the front leg, and the trailing side of the body from leg up through torso is "tilted" towards the target.For a comparison with the typical modern swing look at photos of Tiger's swing of the last few years, or see the photo of V.J. Singh's swing on page 43 of the same issue of Golf Digest. Singh's upper body is "stacked" over his back leg at the top of the swing, and the trailing side of his torso is perpendicular to the ground as he pushes his weight back over his back leg. This is quite different from the way the torso is angled towards the target with the Stack and Tilt swing.Lessons from the PastThis forward lean may sound like a radical departure from what has become golf orthodoxy. But the fact is, the modern orthodox swing is a relatively new invention and there have always been alternative schools of thought which questioned the simplistic "weight shift" idea. For example, look at old photos of Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan or Sam Snead. These golfers do not make the major shift over the back leg like you see with Tiger Woods, for instance.Or look closely at the famous 1930s teaching videos featuring Bobby Jones. He does not shift his weight to the back either. He remains centered over the ball throughout the swing and has a much more obvious focus on rotation around the center point rather than the lateral weight shift promoted by most well known modern teachers.Points of InterestThere are clearly some aspects of the Stack and Tilt swing that may help the average golfer hit the golf ball more squarely and more precisely.The first is the lack of emphasis placed on the weight shift. For many golfers this idea is misleading and results in a lateral shift that basically turns the golf ball into a moving target. Shifting one's weight to the back also results in a "shallower" swing which increases the chances of bottoming out too early. Depending on a variety of factors this can either result in fat shots or thin ones. As an alternative, pressing into the front foot as you take the club back very definitely forces a steeper approach to the ball and should result in fewer topped shots. It also results in a lower trajectory since it de-lofts the club, and this may give you greater run on certain kinds of fairways.The second has to do with the position of the back elbow and the flatter swing advocated by the Stack and Tilt teachers. A flatter swing is a more rotational one, and in advocating a more rotational movement the Stack and Tilt theory has something in common with other "alternative" swing concepts like the Single Plane Swing recently adopted by Tiger Woods (compliments of Hank Haney.) I'm not sure why a flatter, rounder swing is essential to the Stack and Tilt swing, but I suspect it has to do with the relative difficulty of getting the club going when you have your weight forward. In the jargon of some teachers this weight forward position is what might be called an "unathletic" one. So the idea is to maximize club head speed by taking advantage of the rotation of the torso.The third point is the fairly advanced idea of the "pelvic thrust" which the Stack and Tilt teachers claim helps get the club approaching the ball correctly. This is probably where Stack and Tilt becomes too difficult for many average golfers. With Stack and Tilt, since one's weight and shoulder position are forward, the approach to the ball will be significantly steeper than normal. The pelvic thrust, along with the more rotational swing, helps to "shallow out" the swing. You achieve this by rapidly rotating your hips around and pushing your front hip up and towards the target. This creates the sensation of almost jumping up and striking the ball while on your toes. If you've ever seen Natalie Golbus swing a golf club you've got a fairly good idea what this looks like.If these seem like technical points that are beyond your level of expertise, just give the "weight forward" idea a try. All you have to do is start with noticeably more weight on your front foot, and then press into that foot as you take the club up. You will probably find that it feels quite different from what you are used to. This move should result in fewer thin hits. But it may also result in more pushes, especially with the longer clubs, so you may have to adjust the positioning of the ball. You may also find it more physically taxing - requiring more body contortions - and for most of us that is not a good thing.

Perfecting the Golf BackSwing - Move Your Head

When you are learning to play golf, a tip you will often hear is to keep your head still. Some instructors and well-meaning coaches will say it to you at leasst 50 times per round, especially when it comes to perfecting the your backswing.Moving your head on the way back is one of the best golf backswing fundamentals you can learn.Why move your head as you start the golf backswing? The idea is you have to move your head to create an axis to move around. An axis has a both a top and a bottom, like the north and south poles. When you set up to start your golf backswing, your head becomes the top of he axis and your feet and legs create two bottoms.This means that on the way back your head should be moving 3 - 5 inches to the right in order to create your first axis to swing around - the foundation of a good golf backswing technique. Your head will stay there as you come down and fall even further back through impact. Then, after the ball has been hit, your head will move forward over top of the left leg to create a second axis, and this second axis will allow you to complete the circular rotation in your golf back swing allowing you to finish your swing.Your head should float, not stay stationary. Your head should float like the top axis of a spinning top. This allows your golf backswing be a circular motion, though not a perfect circle. It's slight egg-shaped oval. Which is why you will never hit the ball with 100% accuracy each and every time.If you don't move your head during the backswing you will never be able to hit the ball as long and as far as you are truly able because you are never setting up the top axis correctly.The challenge most golfers have when learning this proper golf backswing technique is feels uncomfortable. It just doesn't feel natural to move your head back.One way to get past this is to consciously consider moving your head about 12 inches when you start your backswing. Think 12 inches and your head will naturally move five to six inches. Still uncomfortable? Try practicing your golf backswing in front of a mirror.Using a mirror for feedback, you can notice if you are moving your head or holding it still. Try it both ways. Now notice how your weight shifts and loads to your right leg as you move your head when you start the golf backswing. Do you feel it? If so, know that you have just created the top axis - a fundamental requirement to create the golf backswing. In fact, the only way to effectively load your right leg is to move your head to the right as you swing back. Don't move your head and you'll lose power.If you are wearing a hat when you play golf just take your backswing and look to see if the brim of the hat is level to the ground not tilted to the left. If the brim of the hat is level to the ground at the top of your backswing your head will have moved the proper amount.As a final check just ask a friend to watch your head to see if it moves back a few inches or use a video camera to see for yourself. If your head is too still then constantly remind yourself to move it back or have someone constantly remind you to move your head.As you move your head back, beware that it may cause you to hit behind the ball a little. This is a good sign at first. It's telling you that you are moving your head back but you have too much weight on your right foot at impact. To remedy hitting behind the ball (fat shots), all you have to do is feel a little more weight shift off of your right foot through impact. If you do, you will hit the ball perfectly and with much more power than you are used to.

History of The Sport of Golf in America

Was golf introduced in the U.S.A. solely as a means by lazy employees to get a Friday afternoon off? You be the judge!Perhaps .Perhaps not. What is the history of the spread of golf in the US ? The first notice of golf in America was in 1743 when 96 golf clubs and 432 golf balls were shipped from Leigh to Charleston, South Carolina. The apparent size and volume of this shipped golfing material was an obvious hint that golfing was alive and well at least in Charleston – in the American South. . Savannah Georgia as well may have had an early rival golfing organization.The first permanent golf club formed in the year of 1888. It occurred in Yonkers in the State of New York. The St. Andrew’s Golf Club was formed by John Reid The Reid gang of golfers came to have the nickname of the “Apple Tree Gang”. Reid and his friends were exceptionally devoted to golf and its pursuits. Their first golfing course was laid out around a large old apple tree hence their nickname became “The Apple Tree Gang”. The moniker stuck/.Many consider that Reid should be considered as “The Founder of American Golfing “while others would insist that Charles Blair Macdonald - a golf enthusiast, golfing writer and golf course architect deserves the honour.Macdonald, whom it is said can be said to be “True Pioneer of The Game of American Golf”, was the driving force behind the creation of the pivotal Chicago Golf Club, the first 18 hole golf course in the United States of America. This was in 1892 that Macdonald, the golf pioneer, was able to lay groundwork by convincing and persuading 30 Chicago business associates to pitch in the princely sum at the time of $ 10 apiece so that a nine hole golf could be constructed and developed. This golf site was to destined to become the prestigious and historic Downers Grove Golf Course. Later the next year an additional 9 holes were added to complete the first 18 hole golf course in America.Macdonald, who had studied in Scotland at the St. Andrews University, is also credited with development of golf course architecture in the United States. Among the best known and recognized legacies is the National Golf Links course on Long Island, New York State, Along with that Macdonald left his mark by both assisting in and in creation of the USGA – the United States Golf Association?The USGA emerged in the wake of a dispute between the St. Andrew’s Golf Club and the Newport Rhode Island Golfing Clubs. In the summertime of 1894 each team hosted an invitational golfing tournament, without the apparent knowledge of the other. Each prestigious golf club declared the winner of their tournament to be the “National Amateur American Golf Champion” of the United States. An unhappy loser of both golfing events- the golfing authority and mainstay McDonald himself, personally fueled the debate which went on to a loggerheads. The solution in the end was for Mr. Macdonald to arrange to be the driving force and organizer of an official golfing tournament - a major annual event that amazingly enough he somehow would administer. This administrative organization dreamt up and logistically laid in place by Macdonald emerged to become the United States Golfing Association which is now known by the shorter acronym “USGA”.Can it be said that history of golf in the United States was solely an attempt by lazy employees to get a Friday afternoon off? You be the judge! Perhaps or perhaps not.

Dooks Golf Club: One of Irelands Best Kept Secret

Ranked one of the Top Golf Courses in the world. Dooks Golf Club has a few things to brag about...No. 8 in the top 10 courses for welcome, No. 6 in the worlds 10 most difficult courses no 1 in the world in the 10 best value courses, and No. 1 in 16 in the world for the 10 best value courses makes Dooks Golf Club one of Irelands best tourist spots not to mention the spacious and slope greens.It is surrounded by mountains on its three sides and alongside the Dingle bay. Dooks Golf club is a mixture of flat and wide greens for some holes and very high terrains on other holes. The course runs 6500 yards and offers some blind shots and obstacles. It has contrasting flat holes that are easily visible.Formed in 1889, the Dooks Golf Club was suggested by the Royal Horse Artillery to the neighboring aristocratic golfers while they were training in that area. It is currently one of the oldest golf links in Ireland. The setting itself has offered most of its members and guests the chance to experience genuine Irish traditional culture and the prestigious traditions. If you’re looking for a peaceful environment, the Dooks Golf Club can give you that feeling perfectly.It started as a nine-hole course and soon developed into an 18-hole course around near 2070. This was agreed upon by the members to add more holes.Dooks Golf Club has offered a lasting impression to every golfer who has been there. The golfers would be astonished at the great scenery including wildlife and the topography. You will see the abundant number of flora that fills its courses and leaves an unforgettable memory to those who have experienced there.If you enjoy the birds alongside playing golf, a lot of nesting ground for many beautiful birds can be found there. Skylark, Pennyroyal, and the Whimbrel are among them.With the natural beauty, you can also see the modern state of the art amenities that have classical designs that display the history of Dooks Golf Club and its transformation into a world class link golf course.Although the clubhouse has been restructured from time to time in the previous years, it still maintains a rustic and friendly feeling inside it. Irish and other meals are served in their restaurant as well as chilling drinks during the late afternoons in their bar.Although not as popular as other golf courses, they are still one of the best one around and offers a different feeling than the usual more popular ones. Only rarely negative comments have been left by previous golfers who have been there. The good thing is they're still returning there from time to time and still regard it as one of the best golf courses all over Ireland.Dooks Golf Club can be found at Glenbeigh, County Kerry and should be considered in the top list of every golfer's plan to golf in Ireland. If you haven't checked this one yet, try it for once in your life and you'll see yourself coming back again.
Roland Washington is the author of Golf-Vacation-Advice.com, a site that gives advice on where to enjoy and relax playing golf. Be a member of the most popular golf courses in Ireland and experience golf and what it should be. Roland's contact information can be found at roland@golf-vacation-advice.com

How to Perfect Your Golf Swing and Golf Like a Pro

Consistent attention to stance, angle, and balance will effect the perfect golf swing, with a little practice. Well actually, the perfect golf swing will take a lot of practice. But when the time comes to play in a competitive tournament, friendly match, or business foursome, the perfect golf swing will be the perfect business and leisure asset.Accuracy is the buzzword when working on your perfect golf swing, since the swing in and of itself is not the end result. The flight of the ball to the green or thereabouts should stem from the development of the perfect golf swing. A perfect golf swing should depend on physical conditioning or height, or a special club or distance to the tee.The perfect golf swing should occur by habit, after hands-on training to correct bad habits and sloppiness. A good golfer should be able to correct themselves. The perfect golf swing should be able to encompass variables of distance, wind, turf, angle to the tee and length of the fairway in all wind conditions.Golfers who experiment with their tee shots often discover that an automatic generation of a swing can be a great starting point for a great swing. But a perfect golf swing comes about after enough positive experience with a certain rhythm that occurs again and again, until the body can tell better than the mind how to do it. Then a perfect golf swing can be employed as a function of the golf game anywhere from tee to green to rough to fairway.Many players will grind away at the perfect swing, using manuals, videotapes, books and even coaches to get the best whack at the ball. Consistent accuracy is more than mere mechanics. The perfect golf swing tempers a determined player’s concentration with effort that limits exertion.The perfect golf swing has a methodology that is different for each player. Golf takes repetition and concentration, especially when problem areas need extra attention. The intense skill and methodologies necessary for the perfect golf swing can be discarded and focused upon depending on their effectiveness.Little by little, the perfect golf swing can adjust a player’s handicap and show him or her how to map the perfect stroke for every part of the course.

5 Keys for your Success in playing Golf.

1. Always use same swing pose every time you shift the ball from sand bunker.Every time you have to shift the ball from the sand bunker, always use same swing pose, then adjust only the position of the ball, and also consider to adjust the weight of down swing whether it should be harder or lighter, in order to estimate the distance to the target. Unless you are in the really difficult situation such as the ball sinks into the sand , or in any circumstances that normal approaches could not be applied, then will use special techniques. Normally, the factor use to decide how deep the sand you should dig into is depends on individual experience in sand bunker shifting, but the basic approach is addressing openly , keep the putter floating a bit above the sand, then swing down to the same line where you are addressing. It is also useful to keep in mind that you should hit the ball on the left and slices from outside reach in and the power must come from the upper part of the body while your feet buried into the sand and do not be afraid to hit the sand. 2. Your swing must be smooth and continuous.There are so many people who see a friend can drive far more than oneself , then try to follow his approach by trying to use as much power as they can , as a result , they won't be able to control the ball's direction. The one of important thing for golfer is to maintain equilibrium between the body and the swing and keep it stable. Up swing with gentleness , not fast and jerk, then transfer the weight to right leg, when down swing, transfer the weight down to your hip while your eyes still watch at the ball , and hit the ball to the desired direction. The most important thing is you must maintain your position the speed of the swing at the same level every time.3. When shifting...the head must be still.One important cause that affect to the changing direction of the ball is tottering head when shifting , which will change the balance of your body. Therefore, to do effective shifting you must keep your head still and stable throughout the process. the basic approach when doing shift is stand open, lay the ball close to the right leg, maintain the weight to the left leg, hold the grip in short figure and do the stroke like when you are putting. About which size of putter should be used is really depends on individual experience and expertise. You should get much training enough to decide which size of putter suit you the most.4. When up swing, make sure that your left shoulder aligned with the right foot.Address in correct posture when up swing will bring the most effective and powerful to the hit. You must always remember that when up swing turn left shoulder to align with the right leg. This pose will draw the power from muscles between the shoulder and the waist while full speed of the swing being generated. The enough and proper training will develop you swing very quickly. 5. Find the focal point where the putter hit the ball.The technique that many pros use to find the proper focus to hit the ball is to keep putter a bit away from the ball and leave the small gap between the ball and the putter. This gap will allow you to know where the putter will hit the ball, as a result, you can decide the right focus.

Prepare to drive! (Tee off)

I will advise how to prepares to play tee off (drive), which if golf players know the right approach and get proper training as a routine, as a result , this will help you to play tee off shot effectively and also help improve your score.Step 1. Make sure you pitch the tee correctly by leave the tee top high enough , this could be measured by when you lay the top of the driver on the ground, the top of the ball have to stay higher than the top of the driver. Also, you have to make sure that the ball lay straight to the inner feet foot. As a result of this approach, the direction of the ball and the carry distance greater than putting the ball lower than the driver and hit at lower approach and if golf player can do this approach correctly, the direction of the ball won't deviate and go to the desired target. However, if you are in the situation that you must tee off against the wind, you should pitch the tee lower and adjust the ball position right to the middle between your legs in order to avoid the wind deviate the direction and power of the ball.Step2. After you finish placing the ball for tee shot you should turn back to stand behind the ball again then look through the ball to see the desired target in order to mark the ball’s drop point. meanwhile, you should also consider the direction of the wind, position of any obstacles and the slope of the fairway etc., then you can approaching to the tee drive.Step 3. Grip by using only left hand first in order to arrange the proper angel for driver to touch the ball (square or right angel) and in order to arrange the driver to line up with your left arm.Step 4. Put the driver’s head down behind the ball, to make square angle to the ball pathway, then separate feet and bend down the knees in normal approach. This will help to control the direction of the ball to be straight line. Besides, this approach also help you to estimate how much the distance you should keep far from the ball before driving. don't try to reach to the ball because if you do so, the driver will not be in the right position. You can check whether you are in the right approach is your hip, shoulder have to line up on the same line of the ball’s pathway.Then use the right hand grip the driver but do not move your body, otherwise, you will lose the right position, as a result, the shot will become slice shot.The position of the ball before tee off is also important. The driver will first touch the ball a bit when you do up swing positioning the ball at the left foot and this approach will bring the full power of your shot so you can drive the ball as far as you can.May I remind you that an effective drive shot requires extensive practice and training and this definitely worth your time and patient and you can improve your scores.

How to choose golf clubs that has grip suit you the most.

The most important factor that can affect to the quality of your play and affect to the distance of your shot and the accuracy is the size of grip. If you are a golfer who are looking for the set of golf club that has grip that most suit to your play, this article may be useful to you.Nowadays, golf clubs that being sold in many of golf equipment shops, particularly in Asian country, usually has smaller grip than ones that being sold in western or Europe . This is just because they are designed to fit the hand size of Asian people who usually has smaller hand size than European people.However, the golf clubs that has larger grip mostly available for professionals. This type of golf clubs also usually has harder iron stalk.Why is that?The answer is likely relate to the principle of physics, that is, small-sized hand grip will help golfer to grab the golf club by using the left hand firmly. As a result of this principle, golfer will be able to swing at the highest speed, which means more distance of the ball as well as be able to open during follow through and release a lot easier than using clubs that has larger hand grip.However, large-sized hand grip bring the advantage of control, which I have always mentioned to my students that the good golfer must practice to do the shot that has both power and accuracy. Therefore, you can see that the size of hand grip really matter to the quality of your swing and overall performance and this is the fact that can't be ignored.Please do not judge the quality of golf clubs o its brand or self conclude that this brand drive far more than any brands. So now I will suggest the best way to try and see whether hand grips suit to you, which , mean it will give the equilibrium between the power with maximum accuracy or generally called Distance VS. Control.Try to grab the grip by using left hand, slice hand up and down to find the position that your hand fit the grip the most (if you are a right handed person) not too tight, (which means this grip is too big for you) or too loose (which means this grip is too small for you) and if the fit position not lower than 1 inch from the club's base, that is, you find the club that suit to you.

How to maintain body balance when playing golf?

There is a story about a golfer who can not walk normally just after lose the balance during gave a shot at sand bunker and got an ankle injury.After he had X-ray diagnostic, he was told that his ankle bone is broken, and this requires 6 weeks to recover. The situation like this can happen to many of amateur golfer, but the majority of them are not often the worse case. You may have seen many of golfers in your group losing their body balance after take a shot, some of them scream or exclaim out loud. The cause of this is due to they can not maintain their body balance in most case.So how to keep and maintain the balance during approach, swing or even taking a shot?You, as a golfer, can practice to keep and maintain balance effectively if understand the basic principle about these balancing theories1. Rules of the centre of gravityAccording to the principle, the centre of gravity will change if position of the body is changed (movement), for example if we lift an arm up overhead, the centre of gravity will also be lifted up. If we lift the left arm, the centre of gravity will be changed to the left and if lift an arm up and point to the front, the centre of gravity will be changed to front also. So when you are approaching, try to bend down you knees a bit in order to the balance and stability.2. Size of basementThe wider basement, the more stable. Therefore, for approaching to tee off, you should keep stretching out your legs a bit wider in order to maintain the balance. However, unlike tee off approach. You can stand normally for shifting and putting because these approaches require less movement.3. Relation between the centre of gravity and basementThe more of the centre of gravity close to the middle point of the basement, the less chance to lose the balance. When taking back swing, do not transfer the weight of the body to the right side by moving the whole body, instead, try to turn only shoulder and hip. By doing this way, the centre of gravity will also be move to the back side but less movements needed, as a result, we can maintain the balance and we will try to keep the centre of gravity still be on the basement as much as we can.4. Your weightThis theory is all about the total mass of the body that affect to the ability to maintain the balance. Person who has more weight and active muscles will be able to maintain the balance better than those who has lighter weight. 5. Momentum and External circumstancesIf you are playing in bad weather, especially in strong wind from the front tacking against yourself. You may adjust your approaching by a bit lean forward to maintain the balance6. FrictionFriction is the most important factor that affect to the balance of the body during movement. Generally, the less friction, the less ability to control the balance. From this theory, please make sure that your golf shoes are in good condition because good shoes will increase friction with the green’s surface so it will help you to control the balance during take a shot.

Just change the way you think, and you will be a putt guru.

Just change your attitude.All of the successful golfer who are very keen on putting are always believe that they can be the putting expert. On the other hand, many of golfers who are normally fail to develop their putting always believe that they can not develop their skill, only they can remember is about bad putting experience, but never remember about their success putts. Apart from what I have mentioned above, successful golfers will always enjoy what they do during the putt and strongly believe that they will definitely be able to make it on every single putt they perform, so what I am trying to say is even though, in reality, you may not be able to do the excellent putts like many experts do, but you definitely be able to think like them.1. Change your attitudeTo have positive attitude about your putt is compulsory. You have to think that you can become a putting expert like others do. Be confident with your putting method and what you have done and believe in your sense of success rather than stick too much in correcting the putting principle. Successful golfers always enjoy their putts and they will never worry about putting result. That means, you will never success in putting if you think you will never put the ball into the whole. So try your best to have positive attitude about your putt, and see whether you eventually improvements.2. Believe that you can make itYou will never success if you “just” putt and pray for luck to push the ball into the whole. Successful golfers are confident in what they think and believe in what they have done and they are highly expects the excellent result of their putts. Once you have decided on what you are going to do, then stick with it even though you have failed from the previous shots.3. Be concentrateOne the target is the whole in front of you, so you must concentrate to the target as well as the methods that you are going use. I can say that you have to concentrate on everything that relevant to the putt, start from getting to know the green, choose the line for putting, approaching, targeting, take the shot as well as try to use your sense to help you make decision. If you can do this, you are likely to be successful in putting.4. confident in your sense and feelingBen Crenshaw, one of the most renowned pro golf said that “if you want to good at putting, you have to have a very good mood when you are on the green” Good golfer believe in their sense and feeling rather than principle of putting mechanism. They use their feeling and instinct to decide what to be done rather than using “how to” theories.5. Use your imaginationPutting also requires your ability to use eyes and vision, so imagination is really important in order to study the green’s “look and feel” about in which direction that you are going to play and enable you to consider about the path of the ball. The more you know about the green, the more opportunity to get a success in putting.

Instruct to playing Golf

Is It Time to Change Up Your Golf Grip?
Working on your golf grip can improve every element of your game from tee off to green skills. Many people change up their golf grip as they progress through the ranks. A beginner with a nonexistent handicap might have an excellent grip but a lousy swing. As they improve, the clutch of their grip may change.Maintaining a good golf grip can be as important as building a great golf swing. Using a golf grip can maintain steady execution of specialized swings toward different types of targets. A golf grip that works wonders for the tee off to the green can choke the delicate control needed for putts and chip shots. Most people tend to overlook the importance of a golf grip in favor of special clubs and extreme techniques.Many people tend to borrow or use clubs without properly assessing whether or not the golf grips work for them. Many play for years without really shopping for a customized golf grip on their golfing gloves. Without the appropriate traction and perspiration absorbency, the standard golf club finish does not support the most optimized golf grip.Golf grip does not just affect the swing of the club to impact but addresses the face of the club and its relationship to the ball during the entire swing. Follow through is an important element in many aspects of a player's game and golf grip is a hidden control that skillful players can use. Many players do not realize they can lose a lot of power in their swing by inappropriately gripping the club. You cannot bring power to the ball if the connection does not occur. Your golf grip is often the culprit of a great swing with poor connection. The proper golf grip allows for more "feel" in the handling of a ball from the hinge of the wrist at the top of the club. Through practice and proper application of the golf grip, a serious player can apply the right combination of accuracy and force to the ball to direct it onto the green and fairway.People who are comfortable working with their hands often have a great golf game, since control and flexibility of the thumb, knuckles, and wrist assist in good golf grip control and swing execution. The key to developing a better game is to bring newer and more sophisticated, yet efficient, techniques while incorporating what works.Proper attention should be paid to a golf grip that works when other things don't. Many players invest in custom clubs because they may have certain characteristics in their swing and golf grip that work best with less weight, a better feel, or additional features.The best golf grip occurs when your hands form naturally in the proper alignment without testing or drawing power away from your arms or shoulders. "Tensing up" does not always mean the stress of the swing is in the ball connection, but effort to maintain the grip. Every player should experiment with grips to see what new or more effective results a different technique can yield.