To play the game of golf, it is essential that one has the proper golf equipment. Golf equipment can be a costly investment, as there are so many gimmicks and gadgets being sold to improve one’s game. However, for the weekend duffer, nothing more is needed than the essentials: golf clubs, a bag to carry the clubs in and golf balls.
According to United States Golf Association rules, a golfer should carry no more than fourteen clubs in the bag. The essential clubs needed are a driver, fairway woods, irons, wedges and a putter. The golfer can mix and match the number of particular clubs to suit his game as long as he does not exceed fourteen clubs. Golf is not an inexpensive game, as the average golfer will normally spend between $500 and $1,000 to purchase a complete set of clubs.
Golf bags are an essential part of golf equipment because it would be impractical, if not impossible, to haul fourteen clubs and golf balls around a golf course. Bags can be made of fine leather but most golfers usually use some sort of lightweight nylon bag. It is advised that a golfer choose his bag based on how he will primarily be getting around the course. If he will primarily be riding on a golf cart, he may want to choose a larger bag that will accommodate more accessories, balls, towels, etc. If he plans on walking, then a light bag with a comfortable shoulder strap is recommended. Many of the light, nylon bags are being made with retractable legs that will allow the walking golfer to prop up his bag while on the course.
Golf balls are usually sold in boxes of three, called sleeves. Many times it is most economical to purchase packages that include five or six sleeves. The two main balls sold are balata and two-piece balls. Balata balls are made with a hard rubber core, wound with rubber bands, and covered with balata (a soft, plastic cover). The two-piece ball is normally a large, hard rubber core, surrounded by a surlyn cover. Surlyn is a hard plastic that is more resistant to nicks and cuts. The balata is softer, but most advanced golfers feel they can shape the flight of the ball easier than with a two-piece ball.
There are other pieces of golf equipment that the beginning golfer may wish to obtain. The first is a pair of golf shoes. Golf shoes range in variety from wingtip, to tennis shoes, to sandals. Most shoes made today come with soft rubber spikes, to assist the golfer in setting his feet into the ground. Another recommended piece of equipment would be a golf glove. After a day of swinging a club around 80 times, blisters can form on the grip hand if not protected by a glove. Other pieces of golf equipment that should be considered are golf tees, ball markers, a club brush and an umbrella, for rainy days.
The Essentials of Golf Equipment
Golf for the Whole Family
It used to be that the man in the family would go out for the afternoon with his buddies and spend the day playing golf. Over the years, more women have become interested in golf and they started playing too. With the popularity of some of the more popular golf professionals, especially Tiger Woods, children are also very interested in the game. Now, golf time looks a bit different. Still, people go out with their friends for a round of golf but the family taking the afternoon together to play is becoming even more popular and a great time for everyone to bond and do something enjoyable for the afternoon. Golf has become a great family past time.
For people who want something fun to do as a family, golf is ideal. The family can spend some quality time together, in the outdoors enjoying the scenery. They can add a bit of competitive spirit by playing the game and can also help one another honing the skills of the game. There are many courses that encourage family time by offering certain days and times at a discount for families. There are also activities that are designed specifically for families such as lessons and golf vacations.
Golf vacations are increasingly popular ways of taking a vacation. Many of the golf vacations that are available are to locations that are beautiful, sunny and have plenty of things to do besides golf. The packages that are available often include lessons, games and lodging at luxurious resorts. The entire family can enjoy the travel experience together. They can enjoy the luxury of their accommodations as anyone would on a vacation.
When it is lesson time, everyone can split up into their respective classes and learn how to better their performance on the course. This is a great way to get some alone time while giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy themselves. When it comes time to play, the whole family can hit the course and enjoy putting into practice what they learned. After golf, they family can enjoy sight seeing and restaurants in the location in which they are staying. It is an ideal, well rounded vacation that the entire family can enjoy.
With so many options available now for all ages and genders, it is no wonder golf is becoming a family past time. Golf can be played by everyone and enjoyed by everyone. Practice can be a lot more fun too with everyone participating. When it comes time to play, it’s fun to compete with one another and enjoy each others’ company.
All about Golf Clubs
A good set of golf clubs is the weapon of choice for the advanced golfer. A complete set of clubs consists of woods, irons and a putter. According to the rules of golf, as set forth by the United States Golf Association (USGA), a golfer’s bag may hold 14 clubs. Most golfers will carry a driver, two fairway woods, 7 irons, 3 wedges and the putter.
A driver is a long-shafted club with a full head used to strike the ball that is set upon a tee. The club head does not have much lift to it, to achieve maximum distance off the tee. The fairway woods have club heads that are slightly more lofted than the driver, and are used for long shots when the ball is lying on the ground. Most brand name drivers cost between $200 and $400. Fairway woods normally retail from $150 to $300.
Golf irons are the essence of a set of golf clubs. Two thirds of the shots in a normal round of golf will utilize an iron. Irons are used to hit the golf ball off the ground from distances of 125 yards to 225 yards. Each iron is assigned a number based upon the loft angle of the club head. The 9-iron has the most loft, and is used to hit short, high shots. A 2-iron has very little loft, and is used to hit low, long shorts.
Wedges are normally included in the purchase of a set of irons. The most common wedges are the pitching wedge, the sand wedge and the lob wedge. These golf clubs are used for short, controlled shots, normally very close to the putting green. Some golfers may choose to remove one of the wedges in lieu of a 2-iron. Also worth noting, there are two primary types of irons available. Forged irons are precision clubs that can give experienced golfers a greater ability to shape their shots. Cavity-back irons are considered to be more forgiving, with a larger sweet spot and primarily for golfers who want to focus on hitting straight shots. A set of 10 irons can range in price from as little as $250, to as much as $1,500.
The final and perhaps most important golf club, is the putter. The putter is also known as the “money club” because it is the club used to tap the ball into the hole. The purpose of the putter is to roll the ball, so there is no loft on the club head. There are many varieties of putters in all shapes and sizes. Some of the putter shafts are so short that the golfer grips it near his knees, and some are so long that they are gripped at the golfer’s chest. Many golfers spend their entire lives changing putters to find the one that feels right for them. Simple putters can cost as little as $20 but some of the more exotic putters can cost as much as $300.
Golf Tips – Hitting the Driver
Golfers have had an ongoing debate for years, “Which is the most important club in the bag?” The putter usually wins out in the discussion simply because more strokes are attempted with the putter throughout the course of an eighteen hole round than the driver. However, those that favor the driver in the discussion do have a compelling point – if you are able to get off the tee box long and accurately, it makes it all the more possible to shoot a low score on a given hole.
When setting up to hit the driver, the feet should be slightly wider apart than normal. They should actually be outside of the tips of your shoulders. Also, in the setup for a normal golf swing, the back foot is set perpendicular to the swing line. When hitting the driver, because the feet are wider, you may want to turn the back to outward slightly, to take some of the stress off the back knee.
From this point, the back swing should be similar to any other club. Don’t be tempted to take the club back faster just because you want to hit the ball far. Increasing the tempo of your back swing can throw of many other elements of the golf swing. Club head speed should be generated on the downswing.
It is also important to stay “on” or “over the ball when you take back the club on your back swing. Do not allow your hips to slide backwards with the club. The hips should turn, not slide, and that front foot should stay on the ground during the back swing.
The club should be taken back straight and away at to cause a wide arc, but you must stay over the ball. The weight should be shifted to the back foot without sliding the body. It cannot be said enough, “turn the hips, don’t slide them”.
The setup and back swing are really the only elements that should be changed between using the driver and other shots. There are slight differences that will occur throughout the swing based on a wider stance, driver length and a heavier club head – shoulders turn further, chin tucks into chin deeper, down swing is faster – but these are naturally occurring events, and the golfer should not give thought to giving assistance for any of them. The only caveat to that statement would be to make sure that your arms and shoulders are working in conjunction, and that one is not getting ahead of the other.
Golf tips – Recovery Shots
Every golfer that plays the game is going to find himself in tricky situations – in a bunker, behind a tree, in thick brush, in deep rough – from time to time. It is just the nature of the game, courses are designed to be a challenge to the golfer. Even the best golfer in the world, Tiger Woods, is not immune from mistakes, and their often-penalizing consequences.
The first and most important part of dealing with an unfortunate lie is knowing what you can and cannot do with a certain shot. Everyone wants to be a hero, and every golfer wants to make progress toward the hole. However, trying to move in a straight line towards the hole, regardless of the obstacles in the way, can have disastrous consequences. Often times, realizing that a certain shot is beyond your abilities is prudent, and that the smart play is to simply chip back out to the fairway.
Below are a few shots that may help you out of some of those tight situations. Again, you have to know your own game, which means you need to put in the time practicing these shots on the driving range and practice facilities.
If you find yourself off the fairway, and behind a tree, you may want to hit a low hook or a cut around the obstruction. To do this, use your normal golf setup, with a slightly wider stance. Align your body to the side of the obstacle, but slightly turn the club in your hand to cause the clubface to make contact with the ball in the direction that you want it to move. Taking a normal, straight swing, with a slightly twisted club, should produce the action on the ball that you desire.
Another difficult position to be in is in a greenside bunker, at the furthest point away from the hole. You know these – the one’s where you have more sand to hit over than green to land on. This shot should be played slightly differently than a normal sand shot, with the clubface not as opened, the body in a more natural golf swing stance, and the shot itself should be taken with a forceful swing. Remember to finish with a high follow-through.
The buried sand shot – or “fried egg” – is not really as hard to play as it looks. To make the shot work, you must get under the ball, which usually means choosing an area to for the clubface to enter the sand may be about two inches behind the ball. You should take a forceful forceful, downward swing, with a lot of power in right (push) hand. Because of the angle and force of this swing, there will not be much follow through on your swing, there will likely be less sand flying out with the ball, and the ball will have virtually no spin on it.
Golf Tips – Your Grip
Although it seems that gripping a golf club may be the most elemental part of the golf swing, and maybe it is, it could also be the most important part of the swing. Gripping the club too tight or too loose, gripping it the wrong way or in the wrong place, could throw off your entire swing. Having an improper grip can greatly detract from the power and accuracy of the swing, and for the advanced golfer, it can hamper the way they try to shape a shot.
There are primarily two types of grips that a golfer should use, and neither of them is a hand-over-hand baseball, or axe handle, grip. The interlocking is where the golfer slides his left index finger between the ring and pinkie fingers of the right hand. The overlapping grip occurs when the golfer lays his left index finger on top of his right pinkie or on top of the notch between his pinkie and ring fingers. These grips allow the hands to hold the club steady while cocking and rolling the wrists throughout the swing.
The grip should begin about one finger width from the end of the club, or more, for shorter controlled shots. When the hands are together, the club should lie along the callous pad line of the hands and not in the palms. When the hands are closed around the club, the thumbs should be aligned straight down the club grip. Your forearms should form a “V” down toward the club.
Although there is no hard fast rule as to how firmly the golfer should grip the club, the prevailing belief is that it should be loose, yet firm enough to keep it from moving in your hands. The swing will naturally cause the hands to strengthen the grip, so try to keep “loose grip” in your mind throughout the swing. Because there is no rulebook on the grip, it is just one of those aspects of the game that the golfer will have to experiment with, and adjust, through repetitive practice and play.
Through practice, the grip is something that should become second nature to the golfer. It is not something that should require as much thought as other aspects of the golf swing, but its importance should never be forgotten. It is recommended that a golfer always keep a club nearby, and just practice applying and reapplying the grip over and over.
Elements of a Golf Swing
There are some basic elements of the golf swing that the golfer should use as a mental checklist when taking a shot. The first element is the body’s alignment toward the target. Stand five to ten feet behind the ball, with the ball directly between your body and the desired target. Locate guidance targets on the ground (leaves, blades of grass, dirt, etc.) inches in front and behind the golf ball that should be on a direct line with where you are standing and the target. Keep your eyes on those ground targets as you approach the ball.
Align the clubface behind the ball, with the center of the clubface on a direct line between the two ground targets you have selected. Grip the club with just enough tension to keep it from slipping in your hands throughout the course of the golf swing. Align your feet on a parallel plain with your ground targets, shoulder width apart, and the knees slightly bent. The front foot should be pointed slightly outward, toward the target, to allow your hips to flow freely through the swing.
Tilt your torso slightly towards the ball while keeping your back straight. The arms should now hang freely in front of the body to grip the club. The shoulders should be parallel with the ground targets and the toes, and your head should be tilted downward with your eyes on the ball. These motions described are known as the set-up, or addressing the ball.
You are ready to begin the golf swing. Keeping your back elbow tucked as closely to your ribs as possible, slowly take the club back on a straight line along the plain of the ground targets. Keep your front elbow locked throughout the back swing and never take your eyes off the ball. This motion should naturally tuck your chin into your front shoulder. Hips should remain still and slightly tilted, while the front knee will turn inward. At the apex of the back swing, allow your wrists to break slightly.
Bring the club downward toward the ball, uncoiling the wrists, and shifting your weight onto your front foot. You should attempt to generate force and speed on your down swing, while never take the clubface off of the target line. Upon making contact with the ball, the clubface should strike the ground as it moves through, taking a divot from the ground in the area past where the ball was lying, and through your second ground target.
Finish the golf swing with a nice, high follow through of the club. Your hips should be turned toward the target. Your weight should have shifted, and should now be firmly on your right foot. Smile and watch the ball fly toward the target.
Five Reasons Why The Golf Course Has Become An Extension Of The Board Room
Ask any corporate big wig, and he’ll tell you that most of those mergers were sealed in a game of golf. Ask any sales-based hotshot and he’ll tell you those he struck most of those deals in the golf course. Ask any movie producer and he’ll tell you that the winning treatment was offered while he was choosing an iron.
Golf has transcended the parameters of a mere sport. Today, it has become a social and a cultural phenomenon that allows people to get together in the spirit of fun and healthy competition. Under such an atmosphere, these people develop bonds that pave the way for the biggest deals that shape the commercial world.
But what is it, exactly, about the sport of golf that makes it an extension of the boardroom most of the time? How come the golf course became a venue where business and leisure do meet? And why do golfers feel that they belong to this brotherhood which they must uphold?
Hopefully, the five reasons we will discuss below would enlighten us on these questions.
1. No other sport can foster the development of relationships as much as when people take up golf. Whether for business ties or personal friendships, the long time spent together on the golf course allows you to get to know each other better and bond like the oldest of friends. You both go at your own pace, enjoying the scenery, managing your game, rejoicing over triumphs or trying over and over again to get that hole in one.
2. Golf allows you to see a different side of the person, other than the one you see in the boardroom. In this relaxed and leisurely setting, you can observe and discover the person’s prominent qualities which may convince you to either agree or disagree to a proposed business deal. Golf has been said to be a test of character. If you find out that he cheated on the score card, would you still take the risk of getting into business with him?
3. Golf does not need a lot of brawn unlike other sports. However, it requires a great deal of patience, intelligence, focus, creativity and control. Throughout the game, you will be able to recognize how this player is able to call his shots, control his pace, survey and analyze the golf course and strategize how to turn things to his advantage. If his game is good, one deduces business is good in his hands too.
4. Golf lets you expand your business circle. It’s a gold mine of business contacts, as almost all the executives play a round of golf every once in a while. Unlike in the usual business gatherings where conversation can be shallow and time is very limited, golf brings you much closer to another person than just being a mere acquaintance or “someone you know from the business”. Not only can you win business connections, a personal friendship with them is not that unlikely. Even if the whole point of golf playing is to discuss some things about business, it is inevitable for you to talk openly about other matters, like family, personal goals or your various interests. With the relationship taken a step further, the deal can materialize with more probability.
5. A round of golf gives you ample time to lobby a business or arrange a deal without the additional tension or stress. You can manage to give some key details and you are able to fully explain these. No more fancy presentations or hard core negotiating, just a pleasant talk during a game of golf. Such a relaxed pace and a breathtaking environment certainly makes for a far more agreeable mood.
Golfing Fitness
If you don’t exercise and stretch, you will probably develop back pain as a golfer. Golfing is a repetitive game. Because of this it places strain on certain areas of the body, including the back. In fact, many professional golfers experience back pain at one time or another during their career. Since you are a beginning golfer, the chances are high you will not experience much back pain. However, you will need to work to prevent back pain. To do this, make sure you get regular exercise and stretch your back after golfing. Remember when it comes to golf you very often must maintain the same (sometimes uncomfortable) postures repeatedly. Do what’s right and protect your back.
Strength train to add power to your game. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to golf well, but you will need some strength and power behind each ball you hit. If you want to drive the ball further, you will have to have good technique. However, you will also have to be strong and powerful. So make sure you strength train important parts of your body including your abdomen, back, arms, forearms and shoulders.
How to Buy a Golf Club
A golfer is only as good as his next swing. That’s the thing with golf. And that’s probably what makes this game so addictive. Because you can’t always replicate your swing, the only thing you can control when you play is your attitude towards the game and the kind of equipment you have.
One of the most important items that almost every golfer obsesses about is the golf club. So many things depend on the specific golf club to use that all golfers who are worth their salt take shopping for a new golf club very seriously.
But the golf industry is so swamped with various sizes and shapes of golf clubs it is difficult to choose the right one for your game. How do you know which golf club to buy? And how do you know if it would really help improve your game?
Many golf equipment manufacturers and companies these days are claiming that it’s all in the club head, that the way to improve your game is to get a golf club with a head design that’s perfect for your kind of play. But the head is not the only factor!
When you buy a new golf club, there are several considerations and only in making the right decision will you have the opportunity to improve your game.
The Price Myth
It is a common enough myth that anything more expensive than the rest automatically means that it’s better. But smart shoppers have long since debunked this myth. Many people today are spending less money on equipment and more time on the course.
You want to play better? Spend more time practicing than shopping for high priced golf clubs that don’t even guarantee an improved game no matter what sort of marketing hype the makers are stirring.
Just think about it. Are drivers really worth hundreds of thousands of dollars? Are iron sets worth three grand? If your club cost you $800, are you playing great? Chances are no, they are not worth it and your game is pretty much the same.
Paying high prices for a golf club will not lower your handicap. However, if you choose your club well, even if it’s a cheap one, your chances of improving your handicap scores are better.
Then, once you have achieved a decent level of play, that’s the time to go for custom-fitting. And even then you should always go for value than for show. After all, that is what golf is about. It is an awkward set of bodily contortions and yet they produce such a graceful result. Your golf club may be inexpensive but once you perfect your swing, all eyes would be on you, not on your club.
What You Need to Know
Before you go to the shop and evaluate the array of golf clubs on display, you need to know the basics of golf clubs, especially if you’re still a beginner. Knowing what to look for should help you make a smarter choice.
Now, you don’t need telling that the golf club is the tool you use to strike the golf ball. Neither do you need an in-depth discussion on what the three basic components of a golf club are.
Just remember the following important tips to help you choose the best club around:
Shaft – This is the axle of the club, the part that many golfers consider as the most complex component and probably the most important. There are several different types of shafts with varying degrees of flex, flex locations, weight, length, materials, torque, etc. Other critical factors include the shaft deflection, lie angle, loft angle, swing weight, and grip size.
Having the proper shaft length can improve the squareness of hit and balance in your swing. On the other hand, the lie angle has a direct effect on the direction of your shots. If you have higher swing speeds, you want a shaft with stiffer deflection. If you have lower swing speeds, the more flexible shafts give your downswing that extra “kick.”
Head – This is the part that directly comes into contact with the golf ball. Like shafts, golf club heads can be made from several kinds of materials. Here is a summary of recommended club heads according to your level of play:
BEGINNER IRONS: Zinc
BEGINNER WOODS: Aluminum, Titanium Alloys
BETTER IRONS: 431 Stainless Steel
GOOD WOODS: HST Aluminum
BEST IRONS: 17-4ph Stainless Steel, Bi-metal, Tungsten Insert
BEST WOODS: Titanium, Maraging Metal, Bi-metal, Tungsten Insert
For putters, the material choices are not important. What matters are the shape, weight, and type of inserts used. So when looking at golf club heads, pay attention to the basic design principles, such as weight distribution (What is its perimeter? Low center of gravity or high?), size (Traditional or oversized?), and styling (Keel sole? Deep face? Wide body?).
Grip – As the least expensive components of your golf club, it often the part that is most often overlooked. How important could it be? Well, for one it is your only point of contact with the club. Hence, it is the only component of the golf club that you can actually control while you are playing the game.
Grips tend to oxidize, harden, get slick, and lose their grip after a certain period of time. So the only thing you need to keep in mind about grips is to change them often.
Golfers use a set of clubs when they play. A “set” is restricted to no more than 14 clubs so you can see just what kind of task is ahead of you. It’s difficult enough to choose one golf club. Now you have to choose fourteen?
Of course, each of them would depend on your personal preferences but traditionally, a “set” is made of: Irons 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW, Woods 1, 3, 5, and a putter.
Now the next question is: What is the difference between Irons and Woods? And how do you choose the best ones out of each?
Woods
As its name itself implies, the wood is historically made of wood. Today, however, woods can be made of a variety of materials. Metals, especially, are considered as more advantageous than wood since it is much easier to precisely mold metal than wood. Design technologies such as perimeter weighting and low center of gravity are more forgiving with metals than with wooden woods.
You generally use woods when you focus more on distance than on accuracy. For instance, you have a golf hole that is 450 yards from tee to green. When you hit off the tee, you need the “bigger” club – the wood. This hollow-bodied large-headed golf club is recommended when you are making shots 175 yards or more away from the green.
The driver is usually a 1 wood with 8-12 degrees of loft (the measurement of the angle between the shaft and the ground) while 3 wood has lofts between 15 and 18 degrees. 5 wood has a loft between 20 and 22 degrees.
Most seasoned golfers use a variety of drivers with lofts ranging from 8.5 to 10 degrees. For beginners, however, you will probably fair better with lofts of 10 degrees or higher. Golfers also often carry 3 and 5 woods (called fairway woods for the reason that they are pulled out during the second shot of the play) in addition to their drivers. 7 and 9 wood, on the other hand, are referred to as utility woods.
2 and 4 woods exist but their popularity reached their peak more than 20 years ago. Today, they have fallen out of favor as newer technologies have improved the performance of woods. Now, most golfers prefer to carry 7 and 9 wood in their bag.
Irons
Like woods, irons were also historically made of iron (hence, the name). Now, they come in a variety of materials, mostly steel. Compared to woods, irons are smaller and considered as “finesse” clubs. This means that they are meant to be used when the shot calls for a greater level of accuracy than distance.
Irons are recommended when the shot is less than 200 yards away from the green. And the general rule is that the closer you are to the green, the higher the iron you will use.
Irons come in a standard set of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 irons and pitching wedge or PW. For most people, the hardest clubs to hit are the 3 and 4 irons so to compensate, many ladies, seniors, and higher handicap golfers are changing their 3 and 4 irons to higher lofted woods like the 7 and 9 woods.
Putters and Wedges
Wedges are actually just specialty iron golf clubs, sometimes referred to as “blade clubs.” That’s because when you use wedges, you are usually close enough to the green that all those game improvement designs (like perimeter weighting and low center of gravity) lose their significance.
At this point, the game calls for increased shot control and shot shaping than technologies to improve distance and force of your swing. The blade design of wedges encourages this.
The first wedge is called the Pitching Wedge with a loft of 48 degrees. From there, wedges increase in 4 degree loft increments: 48 (Approach Wedge), 52 (Sand Wedge), 56 (Lob Wedge), 60 (High-Lob Wedge) and 64 degrees.
Putters are golf clubs with a special purpose: to get the ball into the hole. Are you familiar with the expression: “Drive for show, putt for dough?” Well, drivers are for slamming your shots 250 yards right into the middle of the fairway. The putter is used on the green, where it really matters.
There are many styles of putters: short, belly, long, bent, center-hosel, heel-toe, mallet, and so on. Many golfers carry a variety of putters and wedges and one set of irons in their golf bags. Why? Because you can do a better job with a lot more tools in your toolbox.
How important are the Numbers?
So you know that you are allowed to carry a maximum of fourteen golf clubs in your bag and that these clubs have their specific numbers. Yet, how important are these numbers? What do they represent?
The numbers found in golf clubs represent the loft, for the most part. The general rule is that the lower the number, the lower the loft. The lower the loft, the longer the shaft. The longer the shaft, the harder to hit.
Experienced golfers tend to favor drivers with lower numbers as these clubs require more skill to hit than higher numbers.
Of course, as already mentioned, lower lofts and longer clubs often result in greater distance of your shots. But it also means a loss of accuracy. That is why woods (since they have lower lofts and are traditionally longer than irons) are used for distance shots as a rule.
The Correct Lie
This is no paradox. Choosing the correct lie (the angle between the hosel and the rest of the club head) is an important aspect of selecting the right golf club. It has to do with golf physics. Adjustments on the lie can be made to better fit a player’s physical characteristics.
For instance, if you are shorter than the average player, a flatter lie is recommended to better fit your arms which are positioned closer to the ground. If you are taller, on the other hand, a more upright lie can help you adjust for your arms and torso which are higher up.
The way to determine the correct lie is to grab hold of the club and get into position. With your club at address, look at how the bottom of the club head is touching the ground. The perfect lie is one where the middle bottom of the club head touches the ground.
If the toe is up in the air and the heel is on the ground, then your club’s current lie is too upright. You can adjust this by fixing the hosel (the part of the iron that connects with the shaft).
So after all these factors involved in golf club shopping, it all really boils down to one thing: preferences. And you cannot really identify your preferences until you start playing.
If this is your absolute first time playing golf, don’t attempt to buy your own equipment just yet. Instead, rent one or borrow from a friend who’s into golf. Then only after you get the hang of the game and understand your preferences should you even attempt to make your own golf club choices.
Are You Still Thinking about Your Last Shot?
Will the last shot you played determine where the golf ball goes this time?
You might be surprised to realize that for many people the shot they have just played will have a major impact on their next shot.
The golf player who can switch his mind off that last shot, and move on, will always have a decided advantage over the competition.
If you are one of the many golfers who let their previous performance affect the rest of their game, then retraining your mind will do more for your game than all the tuition that any golf pro can give you.
How many times have we seen Tiger Woods play winning shots from out of the rough?
How many times have we seen him come from behind to win major tournaments?
There is one thing that other players will never do, and that is to write Tiger off if he has not been having a good game. This is because they know he has the mind power to put everything behind him.
In doing so, all the subsequent strokes are focused on winning the tournament.
Even the best golfers in the world duff their shots on occasions, but the way they handle those situations is a major reason why they are at the top of their game.
They don't let mistakes have any impact on the rest of their game, as they know that if they do, they will have no chance of recovery.
Your mind and the thoughts that you allow it to have, are the most powerful influences on the performance of your game.
It impacts on so many areas of play that it is often the downfall of so many golfers who could be better than their handicap suggests.
Consider the additional tension in your body when you are thinking about the last shot and how the next one needs to be so much better to compensate for your error.
That tension is translated into your swing and the possibility of a great shot is diminished accordingly.
Are You Playing with the Right Golf Balls?
Many people buy their golf balls based on economics.
If your game is not up to par and you think those water holes are looking a little ominous, you are more likely to buy a box of cheaper balls knowing that the pain won't be as great if a few of them get lost in the 'drink'
If you are looking for peak performance, then your choice of golf ball is crucial.
Golf ball selection can be as important to the success of your game as the clubs you will be carrying around the course.
Your golf balls need to be matched to your swing and your style of play.
If your style and golf balls are mismatched then you cannot hope to get the best results.
Sure, they might all look the same, but golf balls are technologically advanced balls, and all of them are designed with a specific purpose in mind.
There are balls for all different levels of skill, from the beginner to the pro, and within those levels there are balls designed specifically to match various playing styles.
The balls are designed with different densities that allow for varying levels of spin, distance and control.
The various types of covers on the balls and the core of the ball determine these factors.
Before you even consider buying a golf ball, you need to know what your style of play is and what type of ball you need to maximize your performance.
This will change if you are still progressing through the game, and as you master new skills you will need to change the type of ball you use accordingly.
If you are unsure of your style, spend a little time with a golf pro and get him or her to watch you play some shots.
Ask them to tell you what type of ball you should be using.
If they are any good at their job, they will be able to advise you what balls to buy.
Good ball choice can also help correct some errors that you might have in your style of play.
It could be that the balls you are currently using are mismatched to the way you are hitting them and this is actually more prevalent than many people understand.
Relax At Casa de Campo
Dubbed the Caribbean’s most “complete resort” on their official website, Casa de Campo is a fantastic resort to get away from it all and enjoy. Located in the Dominican Republic, this resort has a bit of something for everybody, whether you enjoy golfing night and day or doing the regular touristy things. Casa de Campo is beautiful, historic and the perfect place to book your next vacation.
Accommodations
Casa de Campo has excellent accommodations for the weary traveler. Choose from a wide variety of guestrooms and villas. Enjoy spacious floor plans, room service and a private terrace for each room. The resort is huge and makes sure all of its guests are taken care of.
The villas are fantastic and provide you literally with a home away from home. Choose from 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom villas! Luxury is around every corner at the Casa de Campo, and their villas are the perfect example of just that.
Dining Out
This resort does not disappoint when it comes to food to satisfy every last hunger pain. With tons of restaurants to choose from, such as the Lago Grill, El Pescador, the 19th Hole and the Tropicana Grill, you’ll want to try as many as possible before it’s time to check out. Whether you want a dinner with your family or a romantic meal for two with cocktails, you’ll find the perfect place to dine right on the Casa de Campo resort grounds.
Recreation
If you love getting outdoors, soaking up the sun and involving yourself in physical activities, Casa de Campo has plenty to keep you busy. The deep sea fishing is a great activity to do with a friend all day or just half of the day. There is also a river tour that lends itself well to photo opportunities for the budding photographer. Likewise, bike rentals, the equestrian center, the various pools, trails and even the shooting center make this resort your one-stop shop in the Dominican Republic for all that you need and more.
Golf
There’s really nothing like playing a round of golf at Casa de Campo resort. Three distinct courses call Casa de Campo their home: Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and Links. All designed by Pete Dye, these courses have been plunged into the spotlight as some of the best in the world.
Teeth of the Dog
A fantastic course, Teeth of the Dog provides for a one-of-a-kind experience, where you get to golf right on the Caribbean Sea. Designed to be fun for the occasional golfer and the professional, Teeth of the Dog makes many opportunities to challenge your skills and allows you to have a great time. Caddies are standing by to complete the experience.
Dye Fore
While relatively new to Casa de Campo, Dye Fore is an excellent golf course with beautiful views of the ocean, the mountains and even the Chavon river. While difficult, the course is a lot of fun and will really test your golfing skills.
The Links
Filled with hills and tall grasses, The Links will challenge you as a golfer, but not leave you so frustrated you’ll want to give up your game. According to the official website, this course comes into contact with water at five different holes, making it quite reminiscent of the traditional Scottish golf courses. You can even take a gander at the wildlife that calls the course home, such as wild birds.
And don’t forget: The Casa de Campo offers several packages and deals that allow you to stay at the finest hotel, take part in the best golf and relax in the luxurious spa for a discounted rate. You won’t want to pass that up!
Are You Better on the Front or Back Nine?
Looking at the way you perform through the course of a game can give you a lot of powerful information that can be transferred into results the next time you play.
I have talked to many golfers and there seems to be a consistency with a lot of them relating to their performance on the front nine compared to the way they play on the back nine in most tournaments.
Not that there is a consistency in their game, but a consistency in the part of the game where they consistently fare worst.
Some people struggle to get their game right for the first nine holes and then improve on the back nine, whilst others start off fine and then fade on the last nine holes.
It is like there is a switch that gets flicked half way through the game and their performance changes in one direction or another.
There is always a reason why this is happening and targeting that reason can result in some excellent improvements to your score.
More often than not the second nine holes result in a poorer performance and this can be due to a number of factors.
Those factors can be fatigue or a lack of hydration.
Dehydration in itself will result in fatigue.
These are simple factors that can be easily addressed with regular intake of water and foods containing some carbohydrate content to keep the energy levels up.
Other people find they perform worse on the first nine holes and that can often be from tension where they tend to relax later in the game and start playing better.
Once again, if you are aware that this is happening you can address the problem by making an effort to relax.
Learning relaxation techniques can do more for many people's game than all the advice in the world and it might be just what you need to take your game to the next level.
Are You a Leftie?
We can't blame the golf club manufacturers for targeting their most profitable market of right-handed golfers, but it is quite difficult for those golfers who play left handed to find the selection offered to the mainstream players.
I have known a few golfers who made the change early on by training to play right handed but this is unrealistic for most people.
You should be playing in the most natural manner possible and if that means left handed then so be it.
Unfortunately with everything these days it all comes down to economics and profitability and there just isn't enough money to be made for many manufacturers in the left-handed market.
The percentage of left handed players to right handed players is somewhere in the region of 8 percent so the market is quite small, although it is a niche market that some manufacturers are targeting albeit at more expense in most instances.
But there is always a silver lining to the problems that we might encounter.
At a recent after tournament function I was introduced to an elderly gentleman who was playing on a low handicap and had done so for many years.
During the discussion he mentioned left-handed clubs and the fact that he had started playing left handed initially.
He hadn't learnt how to play from a professional and had developed some bad techniques.
Eventually, due to frustration with his game and the inability to source the clubs he wanted to, he enlisted some professional help.
After much discussion it was decided that he should try playing right handed and the golf pro would give him the necessary guidance.
It was a godsend as he was effectively starting from scratch and he learnt how to play golf without any of the bad techniques that he had developed on his own.
The change from left to right, along with the professional training had held him in good steed for the rest of his golf playing life.
Sure, it was a major decision that most golfers wouldn't make, but you can never beat a golfer at trying to improve his game no matter what steps they might take.
Add Variety to Your Practice
I see many golfers practicing the same shots over and over again.
That's Ok if it is an area that needs concentrated attention, and the more you practice a shot the better you will become at it.
If you practice a shot enough you will virtually do it on autopilot when you get to the course, but you must also remember that variety will make you a better all round golfer.
The more techniques that you can master the better you will be on competition day.
You can do this by trying new techniques when you practice.
Observe the results you get when you use different clubs or try different techniques.
Try adding some spin to the ball and see how this affects the flight.
Use different types of golf balls to see whether your level of expertise has changed and allowed you to get more benefit from the different ball compressions.
Even consider testing new golf clubs.
As your game progresses, so will your need to change equipment accordingly.
You won't want to be using the same clubs you had when you started playing and you will probably not want to be using the same golf balls either.
Better equipment will allow you to make shots that weren't possible before, and practice will help get you to the next level where you can take advantage of this equipment.
Try adding more backspin to your shots and see if this helps position the ball better for the next shot and offer more control on faster courses.
Your practice time should also be a time where you allow yourself the opportunity to experiment and try to broaden your game.
Having the ability to add spin to the ball might be the difference between hitting a tree and landing on the green.
You can never learn too much in the game of golf.
Accuracy First and Distance Will Follow
Most beginners have one thing in mind, and that is to hit the ball as far as possible.
Many golfers never quite get out of this mindset and this is one of the reasons why they will never get the distance that they are capable of hitting the ball.
The wise golfer will practice for accuracy first and concentrate on the distance once they have mastered the art of control.
It's not much point hitting the big yards off the tee if the ball is going to end up on another fairway or in the rough.
All you will succeed in doing is make the following shots all the more difficult.
A drive down the center of the fairway, albeit a few meters shorter, will set you up for a better approach shot and a lower round score.
By playing with smaller, more controlled swings, you will gain control of your shots sooner and you will progress to the longer distances faster.
You will be learning correct techniques that will hold you in good steed for the rest of your playing career.
By developing accuracy first, you will also be lengthening the distance of your drives and will in fact hit the ball further.
By starting with smaller swings it will be easier to train your body to develop the correct actions, and these actions will always be needed when you progress to the longer drives.
As you master your swing, you can progress to a full swing knowing that you will have the control to hit the ball in the right direction.
This combination of correct action and a full swing will ensure you will hit the ball further than would be possible if you had only aimed for the big shots from the outset.
If you find that your drives are going wayward, then it would be wise to focus on control, even if that means limiting your swing until you are hitting the ball straight.
A Unique Putting Tip
Here's a simple technique to improve your putting.
Before you can expect to putt well on greens with a slope, you need to learn to putt well on the flat.
This will train you to swing your putter through a straight line and hit the ball squarely on the face of the putter.
Now you need to get a putter that has a line on it that you can see clearly, as this will be the line that you will follow through to the center of the ball.
On the practice green (preferably one that you have at home, as this technique might not be appreciated) you will mark straight lines with a builders chalk line in several directions from the center of the hole spanning out around the green.
Getting someone to hold the chalk line at the center of the cup will make the process easier.
Now move around the green flicking the line to leave chalk marks along the ground.
Next - place your golf ball on the line leaving some of the line on the ground visible behind the ball. This will help you to guide your swing.
You will then be able to swing your putter using the line on the ground as a guide and the line on the putter itself to connect with the center of the ball.
In a very short time you should find that you are managing to putt from a relatively good distance and get the ball in the hole most of the time.
This will help you to develop the correct posture and consistency to putt well.
After doing this for a while from different positions on the green, move the ball off the line and visualize that there is still a line on the ground by creating it in your mind, looking from the ball to the cup and back again several times.
Line up your putter as before and look at the line on your putter to hit the center of the ball with this spot on your club.
You are now retraining yourself to see an invisible line from the ball to the cup that you can use on any green you play on.
A Few More Putting Tips
How often have you been frustratingly close to sinking a putt only to come up short?
Or maybe you have only just missed the hole to see your ball go sailing past adding too much distance for the return putt.
A lot of games have been lost on the putting green and in most instances it has been due to the wrong distance, rather than the direction of the ball.
Most beginners quickly get a feel for the direction the ball will travel, even on sloping greens.
You've probably seen it yourself when a newcomer to the game places the ball within inches of the hole on a sloping green time and time again.
What you won't see quite so often is the ball stopping a few inches past the hole when they miss.
There are many factors that come into account when determining the distance a ball will travel on the green, from the slope, to the preparation of the green and whether it is wet and slow or dry and fast.
It can make a huge difference depending on the time of the day with greens getting faster as they dry off in the afternoon sun.
So reading the distance of a putt is what you really need to concentrate on to get your ball to drop in that hole.
Once again it all comes back to practice and there is no better practice than on the day of the tournament in the conditions that you will be playing in.
Always take some time to have a few practice putts before you start play to 'dial in' your distance.
One thing you must always remember; the golf ball will never drop if it doesn't reach the hole.
Sounds too obvious to even need mentioning doesn't it, but more often that not putts will come up short.
Always aim for the back of the cup so that, provided you have your direction right, you are going to have a chance of making the putt.
A Balanced Approach
Golf is all about balance. You need to get the right balance on your feet, in the movement of your body, in the swing of the clubs and so on.
Balance goes further than just the body however.
You need a balanced approach to the game with your mind in sync with your body.
You need to only consider the one stroke that you are playing and not let other holes impact on your balance.
When we get golf lessons we're taught about the distribution of weight on our feet and the weight distribution when we swing to strike the ball.
Many of the techniques seem foreign to the beginner but it is all about training the player to find balance in their game so the actions are effortless and natural.
Our balance should flow through with the movement of the swing in one fluid action to the striking of the ball and even after the ball has been hit with a balanced follow through.
It is a natural feeling that will become second nature with practice.
It is through finding balance in your mind and body that you will start hitting consistently good shots.
Without this it will be very difficult to find any consistency in your game.
Once you get your upper body correctly positioned behind the ball, you will find that you are naturally placing more weight on the back foot.
Try it next time you have a practice swing.
Stand balanced on your feet with no more pressure on the front of the foot than the back.
Position yourself behind the ball and gently swing through without making any effort to concentrate on the distribution of the weight on you feet.
You will find that this will come naturally with no effort at all and that is precisely how you should feel when you are striking the ball.
