If you are one of those golfers whose idea of a golf swing with power is by making every effort to try and hit the ball as hard as possible, you are guilty of one of the most common mistakes made by poor golfers.
Trying to hit the ball as hard as you can will rarely give you golf swing power or the desired long drive. More often than not, you will note that the ball ends up going disappointingly close rather than further. In fact persistent efforts to hit the golf ball as hard as you can, will most likely end up giving you golfers’ elbow as you strain your unprepared muscles to achieve the desire of your heart.
There are two main reasons why this approach does not work in helping you achieve golf swing power. Firstly golf clubs have all been cleverly and specially designed to fulfill various tasks. And within those clubs, there are several that will help you gain various degrees of golf swing powered long drives.
This is the reason why use of physics in this situation (that is the right technique so that you hit the ball at the right angle and in the correct way to gain your long drive) works much better than brute force.
Secondly there is an amount of strength and power that needs to be applied. This can only come from muscles that have been strengthened and condition to achieve consistent golf swing power.
The real secret behind effective golf swing power is golf-specific exercises that help you to use your spine correctly as an axis to promote consistency in your drives and to keep you focused on the correct swing play. Only this can give you true golf swing power and much longer drives on the course.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Do You Dream Of A Golf Swing With Power
Friday, April 29, 2011
Golf - the rich mans hobby?
Golf was invented in 15th-century Scotland, where some of the world’s oldest golf courses are located. It is a relatively simple game that sees you using a club to hit a ball into a hole, yet it is also complex, mainly thanks to the huge size of the courses compared to the tiny balls and holes.
Golf is played with golf clubs, which come in three types: wood, iron and putters. Clubs can be expensive, but a good set of clubs will help your game, as there are differences between each one that affect how far the ball goes. A one wood (a driver) will hit the ball very much further than an eight wood, for example.
There are many golf tournaments in the world today, with the two most important being the professional tournaments, the Masters and the PGA Championship. Many countries also hold open tournaments that amateurs can also enter, such as the US Open and the British Open.
Probably the most famous golfer in the world today is Tiger Woods, who was won ten major golf tournaments to date, making him one of the best golfers ever. Most people think that Jack Nicklaus is the best golfer ever, as he won more tournaments than any other, but if Tiger Woods keeps playing and winning like he is for another decade or so then that could easily change.
If you want to get into golf, there are plenty of ways to learn without having to go around a full-size golf course. Many places have ‘pitch and putt’ mini-golf courses, where you can go with nothing more than a chipping club (an iron) and a putter, and play on mini-holes. Children who are not yet old enough to do this can play crazy golf, which is generally putting-only, and has fun, brightly-coloured obstacles on the course and holes which make the ball do interesting things. It’s surprising just how fun golf can be, and many kids get their start with crazy golf only to go on and play real golf as a hobby for the rest of their lives.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Perfect Golf Swing Is Within Reach
The perfect golf swing. Aren’t we all look for it? Now the educating part. The perfect golf swing is not attainable! Did that get your attention? Let me say it one more time. The perfect golf swing is not attainable! Unless…you have a higher level of strength and flexibility specific to golf.
I know you’ve probably heard this before…but the question is…did you take it to heart? Or did you just shrug your shoulders and continue on the same frustrating path to your hopeful golf improvement?
When we break down the golf swing mechanically and physically…it’s amazing to see what the body goes through when a near perfect golf swing is performed. There is an enormous amount of core strength and flexibility. Upper spine and low back strength. Then hamstring strength and flexibility. Shoulder stability from a rotation standpoint. Quad strength to maintain adequate knee flex and posture. I could go on and on.
Are you getting the picture?
To achieve a near perfect golf swing takes a physical approach. One that focuses on your current limitations and how it is affecting your swing. Once you realize what limitations are causing your swing faults…you’ll be well on your way to a perfect golf swing.
How many times have you made an attempt at a golf swing only to fall off balance and mishit your shot badly? How your backswing? Have you tried and tried to make that 90 degree shoulder turn like your pro said, only to create such a tense and powerless you were ready to give up the game?
I’m here to tell you…you’ve got to change your approach if you want to achieve that perfect golf swing. Start with YOU and you’re on your way!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monty eyes 2014 Ryder captaincy
Colin Montgomerie would return to the European Ryder Cup captaincy if offered the job for the match against the United States at Gleneagles in 2014.
In October, the Scot led Europe to victory at Celtic Manor in Wales.
"Whether I'll be captain or not isn't my decision," he said about 2014. "I'll not be promoting myself in that way."
When pressed, he said: "If they ask me, yes. But no-one's asked me and we have fantastic candidates in Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinlay."
Montgomerie, the eight-time winner of the European Order of Merit and a Ryder Cup winner as a player, suffered a slump in his own personal form in the lead-up to the 2010 match.
After announcing he was standing down as captain following the victory in Wales, Montgomerie said he hoped to concentrate on his own game again - and qualify for the teams for Illinois in 2012 and Gleneagles in 2014.
However, the 47-year-old's best finish so far this year was equal 26th at the Sicilian Open and he has missed two out of five cuts.
Montgomerie hopes that, when the Ryder Cup comes to his homeland, Europe will be defending the trophy won under the captaincy of Jose Maria Olazabal in 2012.
And, while pointing out that "it is not just myself" who would like to be captain, Montgomerie has now expressed his willingness to play his part in any capacity.
"If the European Tour would like me to do something to help in that way, great," he told BBC Scotland at the launch of a new golf competition that aims to raise £1m in aid of his mother's cancer charity, the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation.
"Of course I'll help the Tour in any shape or form.
"We did a great job in Wales. Everybody got together. The whole Tour got together. I wasn't on my own there.
"We had a great support there, a great team behind me to win that back against a very strong American team.
"And it'll take that strength of team to win again in 12 and, hopefully, in 14."
Monty's Monthly Medal, to be held on the weekend of the Open Championship in July, will give British club golfers the chance to qualify for a final in September at which the former European number one will also play.
Injured Woods out of Quail Hollow
The 14-time major winner was injured hitting an awkward second shot at the 17th during the third round of the Masters.
He has a mild medial collateral ligament sprain in his left knee and a mild left Achilles tendon strain.
Any setback in his recovery could affect his participation in The Players Championship (12-15 May).
The tournament at Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, is regarded as golf's unofficial fifth major.
Woods, the former world number one who is currently sixth in the rankings, said he was sorry to miss next week's event at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.
"I personally contacted tournament officials and expressed my regret in not being able to play," he said on his official website.
"This is an outstanding event, but I must follow doctors' orders to get better."
Woods, who has not hit a shot since the Masters, has been advised to rest and use cold water therapy, with soft tissue treatment to follow later this week. He is also wearing a protective boot to move around.
There is no definitive time frame for Woods to return to action.
"This is precautionary. We're not at all concerned," said Mark Steinberg, his agent at International Management Group. "He's just listening to his doctors, which is kind of nice. He certainly didn't listen to them before the US Open in 2008."
Steinberg said there was a "reasonable chance" Woods, who held a series of golf clinics in Asia the week after the Masters, will be at The Players Championship.
"We'll do the same next week, do an early to midweek test to see if it's good enough where he can be hitting the ball," he said.
Despite being injured at Augusta, the 35-year-old fired himself into contention on the final day, sharing the lead on the back nine, before finishing in a tie for fourth.
Woods won the last of his major titles at the 2008 US Open and has not won a tournament since the Australian Masters in 2009.
Shortly after he became embroiled in a sex scandal that forced him to take five months out of the game and led to divorce.
Woods's health is becoming a possible barrier in his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles.
He has had four operations on his left knee, most recently after that Torrey Pines US Open win in 2008, after which he spent eight months out of the game recovering.
On his return from scandal in 2010, he also revealed he had ruptured the Achilles in his right leg in December 2008.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Nike Putters
With one swing you can send the ball 220 yards to the green but it then take numerous attempts to send the ball eighteen feet across the green. Putting is a difficult part of the game to master and so having the right putter can help reduce your score and increase your confidence. Choosing the right putter is one of the most important decisions you will make when it comes to golf equipment.
Golf Buy It Online have an extensive range of Nike putters for all types of golfer, from junior to senior, left handed and right handed and men and women. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honouring and respecting the traditions of the game of golf, and to providing golfers with the absolute finest equipment. The Nike putters collection features such models as Nike Golf Unitized Tiempo Putters, Nike Golf Unitized Techno Putters, Nike Golf Par Red Junior Putters and Nike Golf Ignite 003 Mid-Mallet Putters as well as many more. The construction of the Nike Golf Unitized Tiempo Putters and Nike Golf Unitized Techno Putters creates a powerful and sustained response which provides fantastic distance control. Nike Golf Par Red Junior Putters have been designed for maximum forgiveness and reward. This incredibly designed putter with red insert is the perfect putter to compliment the drivers and irons in Nike’s Par Red Range. Nike Golf Ignite 003 Mid-Mallet Putters offer a soft responsive feel because they are created with a full-face polymer insert that is 85% lighter than steel.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Power Of Combining Golf Swing Basics With Exercise
When training in good golf swing basics is combined with the right exercise program, the results can be nothing short of miraculous.
Take the superb performances witnessed in junior golfers like the Song sisters, Ty Tyron and Michelle Wie. The amazingly high level of performance of these very young junior golfers has often been discussed. Several theories and reasons have been brought forward. Most of them are not true. For example a common belief is that these younger golfers perform better and respond better to golf swing basics taught because of their flexibility. This is absolutely NOT TRUE.
The difference between junior golfers and adults is usually strength and not flexibility. I have personally worked with hundreds of junior golfers and I have watched in amazement as a very short period of time of doing strength exercises has yielded increases in their golf drives of as much as a whole 50 yards.
However a quick word of caution. Participating in the wrong strength training exercise programs can damage a golfer instead of improving their game.
My work with junior golfers has practically proved something to me beyond any reasonable doubt. And that is the fact that training in the correct golf swing basics at the same time that somebody is doing the right golf-specific exercises, is a very powerful way of developing and improving anybody’s game.
Without exercise the best training in the world on golf swing basics will have NO impact at all.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
5 Ways To Enjoy Golf More.
We all love the game of golf, but some times it is just as they say, a good walk spoiled. Here are a few ways to enjoy golf more.
1 Don't play the blue tees.
Unless you are at least a 10 handicap or lower, why bother making the golf course even harder than it has to be. If you are shooting in the 90's or triple digits, it makes no sense making a conscious decision to making the course more difficult. Play the white tees and take the extra level of anxiety out of the equation.
2 Improve your lie
When you are having a recreational round of golf, there is no way you should be playing the strict rules of golf. The average round of golf would be at least 6 hours at courses all over the world. Golfers would be returning to the tees all day after hitting there first ball out bounds, or searching for every lost ball for 5 minutes. So if we are bending the rules to save time, why not bend them to improve your lie, something you can actually benefit from. Play winter rules all the time.
3. Play different games
Instead playing the same match with your buddies, compete in other categories other than score. Some examples would be:
Most fairways hit
Least amount of 3 putts
Most 1 putts
4 If it is your honor, take it.
You just birdie the hardest (or easiest) hole on the golf course, it's your tee, you earned it, take it. Challenge yourself to get another one, you will be surprised how often you can have two birdies in a row if you are actually trying to get two birdies in a row.
5 Lower your expectations.
If you are a average golfer you play golf twice per week if you're lucky, on top of that, you don't practice as much as you should.. You can't honestly think that your game is not exactly what it should be. Just enjoy the game itself, don't be so hard on yourself when you're not playing well. Even the pros have bad days.
Spain's Sergio Garcia stays in hunt for China Open win
The Spaniard, whose last victory came at the 2009 European Tour's HSBC Champions in Shanghai, shot a 67 to complement his flawless 66 in the opening round and leave himself two shots behind leader Jamie Donaldson.
Garcia's brother Victor Junior is carrying his bag at the Luxehills International Country Club in the absence of the player's regular caddies.
"It's been good fun. He's doing a good job. We are just enjoying it out there and we are hoping we can keep doing the same thing," Garcia told reporters at the $3 million event, co-sanctioned by the European and OneAsia Tours.
"It's been good for the first two days and hopefully we'll keep it going."
Welshman Donaldson fired a brilliant 11-under-par 61 to open up a one-shot lead over seven players at the halfway stage for a total of 13-under 131.
With preferred lies in play, the round did not break any records but he scorched the course with a flawless display including five birdies on the outward half and six coming home.
"That was a special one. I didn't do anything wrong today. It was a great round," Donaldson said.
There was disappointment for major champions Padraig Harrington and South Korean Yang Yong-eun who failed to make the cut.
Donald takes charge at Heritage
Second-round leaderboard:
-10 L Donald (Eng) -9 Garrett Willis (US) -8 C Villegas (Col), J Furyk (US), J Day (Aus), C Campbell (US) -7 B Crane (US), I Poulter (Eng) Selected others: -5 G McDowell (NI) -4 K Na (US) -2 M Kuchar (US) Level B Davis (Eng) +5 R Fowler (US) +11 E Els (SA)
Donald, who would overtake Lee Westwood and top-ranked Martin Kaymer if he wins, fired 65 to reach 10 under.
Garrett Willis (69) is second with Camilo Villegas (68), Jim Furyk (66), Chad Campbell and Jason Day (65) all eight under at Hilton Head Island.
Ian Poulter is one further back after a 66 at the Harbour Town course.
The 33-year-old Donald, the world number three, would claim the top spot if he wins in South Carolina because Kaymer is taking the week off and Westwood is playing in the Indonesian Masters which carries less ranking points.
Donald, who won the WGC Match Play earlier this year and was tied fourth in the Masters, carded five birdies on his front nine at the Harbour Town course before dropping a shot at the 10th and picking up two more strokes at 11 and 15.
Westwood shares lead in Indonesia
Tied at nine under with Shaaban Hussin and Hyun-bin Park, Westwood was five under for the round after 16 holes before lightning threats stopped play.
Westwood, 37, could replace Martin Kaymer as world number one if he wins.
But fellow Briton Luke Donald could overtake him and Kaymer by winning The Heritage in the United States, where he is three off the lead after day one.
World number two Westwood will have to return at 0630 local time on Saturday to finish the last two holes of his second round at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Converting to a conventional putter on Friday, Westwood birdied his opening four holes before making the turn in 32.
He added a birdie and bogey on holes 12 and 13, respectively, before recording a birdie the 16th just before play was suspended.
"Obviously I'm disappointed because I had two more holes to play" said Westwood. "I'm still in contention and have to see how things go in the next two days."
On Twitter, he added: "Good day on the links. Opened with four straight birdies - but got to say I hate not finishing!"
- Indonesian Masters leaderboard - The Heritage event leaderboard
Kaymer backs McIlroy to recover
McIlroy entered day four at Augusta leading the tournament by four shots, only to card a disastrous final round of 80 to finish joint 18th.
The German, however, says that the Northern Irishman will be "many, many times in contention for majors".
Kaymer added: "People should never forget that he is only 21 years old".
McIlroy led the Masters from the opening day, carding a stunning 65 which was followed by a second-round 69 and a 70 on day three to raise hopes that he may land his first major title.
However, his game unravelled on the back nine of his final round and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel took full advantage with a 66 to claim the Green Jacket.
USPGA champion Kaymer is confident McIlroy will emerge mentally stronger from his Augusta experience and continue to challenge for the four biggest prizes in golf.
"The life he has and the position he was in [leading the Masters] is not normal [for a 21-year-old]. Everybody has to learn how to be in the position that he has been in. He is a fantastic player", he said.
Kaymer also commented that he views England's Lee Westwood as his main rival in tournaments and the world rankings, rather than 14-time major winner Tiger Woods.
When asked who his biggest threat was, Kaymer said: "Definitely Lee Westwood. The way he has played the last couple of years... he should definitely have won a couple of majors by now".
Westwood could reclaim the world number one spot with victory at the Indonesian Masters, while countryman Luke Donald could top the rankings for the first time should he win the Heritage US Tour event.
On the prospect of being knocked off the top spot in the rankings, Kaymer said: "It's important to be number one, but it's not the most important thing in my life.
"One day it will change and I will be two, three, five. Hopefully it does not happen, but it's not something I am scared to lose and as long as I try 100% that's all I can do."
Friday, April 22, 2011
Improve Strength For Golf To Reach Your True Potential
Strength for golf is a term you’ve all heard by now. It’s all over the television during professional tournaments, and golf instructors are now throwing the term around.
What makes strength for golf so important and why should you listen?
Let me briefly explain.
The golf swing is traumatic to the body! I can’t put it any simpler than that. When you are swing an object that is over 3 feet long at over 85 mph, there is a physical cost.
The physical cost is undo stress on the major joints of the body. The lower back is the most common area to get injured, along with the hips, shoulders, knees and even wrists.
If your body is physically weak and restricted (low level of flexibility), you will have a minimal chance at playing good golf and staying injury-free as well.
How many times have you gone to the range or the course, only to come home with your lower back stiff, aching or in pain? What about other body parts? I’ll be you’ve felt your hip joints or maybe even your shoulder joints at some point.
If you saw a slow motion video of the human body swinging a club, you’d be shocked. The body is put in some torqued positions throughout the swing. When the body is weak it breaks down. That’s a fact!
In comes strength for golf!
By working your golf specific muscles, you will not only improve your swing mechanics quickly, but your game will transform. You will feel like a different golfer on the course. Your playing partners will be in awe.
You may think I’m hyping this up, but all the above is true! You will quickly realize this has been the missing link to your golf game improvement all along. And don’t ever think it’s too late to start a program of strength for golf.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Strengthen Your Core For Golf Using A Fitness Ball?
Some call it a Swiss Ball, some call it a fitness ball, others use the more modern term ‘stability ball.’ Whatever you call it, the stability ball has been used in exercise and rehabilitation for years and has recently been adopted by personal trainers and fitness instructors for use in strength training and muscle development, especially when it comes to exercises designed to strengthen the core muscles.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) says that core strength is important because the muscles of the lower back and abdomen serve as a solid foundation for nearly all bodily activities, movement, and posture. Incorporation of the stability ball into an exercise routine helps to further strengthen core muscles due to the continuous adjustments that the body’s muscles must make to remain stable on the ball.
Use of the stability ball has become fairly common is core-based exercises like crunches, but many trainers have discovered benefits of using the ball in other exercises as well. It can even be used in non exercise settings to help strengthen core muscles. Reebok University Education manager Lisa Wheeler recently told CNN correspondent Kat Carney that stability balls can even be used by office workers. Replacing the desk chair with a stability ball can lead to strengthening the core muscles while simply sitting at one’s desk.
A stronger core can benefit anyone, but golfers in particular will see benefits from the increase in core strength and stability, leading to longer drives, and better posture and balance. If you want to improve your core, get on the ball!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
How to improve your golf swing - 7 Tips, 7 Strokes, 7 Days
Here are 7 quick fixes that you can apply to your golf game instantly and will have you dropping strokes very soon.
Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 1. Stretch your muscles for 5 minutes before you hit the first tee. Warming up and stretching could save you strokes during the first few holes try it and see it definitely won't hurt your game.
Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 2. Slow your swing down. If you focus on a slower smooth tempo you will end up hitting the ball straighter and likely longer. When you try to hit the ball as hard as possible your mis-hits are going to be amplified big time.
Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 3. Try to swing through the ball. Golf clubs have certain lofts for a reason let the club do the work. Try to make crisp contact with the grass and leave a small divot.
Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 4. Stand behind the ball and pick a target before you swing. You should have a target to aim for rather than aiming just straight ahead.
Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 5. Picture the ball flight in your head. This one is my
favorites because golf really is a mental game I find, and sometimes just using your head will save you some strokes.
Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 6. When Putting, focus on your distance first and then the aim. Having good distance control can help turn those 3 putts into 2 putts on any hole.
Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 7. Keep your eye on the ball. Try to focus right down to the dimple. It will help you from lifting your head in your back swing.
For more tips like these on how to improve your golf swing in the next 7 days visit the Golf Swing Guru
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Power Of Your Core and The Golf Swing
The golf swing relies upon core strength, endurance and proper engagement in seeking elements of stabilization, control and coordination. Core conditioning is very important for a golfer because all movements in your entire body stem from the strength in this area. Wherever you find a weak core, you find a major source of energy leaks in the golf swing.
The core is where the body's center of gravity is located and where force production begins. Most people have a very weak core, and as a result, chronic posture problems. Over time, this creates wear and tear on the body. A golfer with a weak core is vulnerable to injury and struggles with efficiency in their swing. How strong is your core for golf? Let’s find out.
Try this core test.
•Lie on your back with your knees bent.
•Place one hand underneath your lower back, then extend your knees to 90 degrees.
•Press the lower back firmly against your hand.
•Slowly lower your feet towards the ground by keeping the same tension on your hand.
Which one of the following best describes what happened when you performed the exercises above:
(A) Your lower back lifted and you could no longer feel any pressure on your hand.
(B) Your lower back lifted and you could feel some pressure on your hand.
(C) You were able to keep the same pressure on your hand throughout the movement.
If you answered (C), congratulations! You are well on your way to developing the core strength you need for better golf. If you answered (A) or (B), start with some basic exercises on engaging the core region of your body.
Ping Putters
Golf Buy It Online stock and supply a huge range of Ping Putters so every golfer can find a Ping putter to suit their style. Currently in stock at Golf Buy It Online are Ping Golf Ug-Le Putters, Ping Golf Redwood Zing Putters, Ping Golf i-Series Half Moon Putters and Ping Golf G5i Piper Putters as well as many others.
Ping Golf Ug-Le Putters feature an insert cavity that is precision machined to ensure consistency and set the Ug-Le putter apart from the rest. Ping Golf Redwood Zing Putters are made from “303” stainless steel; this series offers classic model shapes designed for players seeking the very best. Ping Golf i-Series Half Moon Putters feature increased Moment Of Inertia and easier alignment to produce a firm response with a soft feel. Ping Golf G5i Piper Putters have a dual-durometer insert to provide the feel and distance control golfers long for on putts of all lengths.
Anyone for Tee?
The basic golf game is generally referred to as stroke play – tournaments work using the stroke system, and it is the most widely-played version of the game. In this game, for every shot you make under or over the par of each hole, you have one point either subtracted from or added to your score. For example, if hole 1 is a par 4 and you take five shots, then your score is +1. If you then move on to hole 2, a par 5, and take 3 shots, scoring an eagle, your new score is –1 – that’s one minus two. This means that you’re aiming to end up with a score far into the minus numbers, with the lowest score winning.
Stroke play is heavy on maths and low on excitement, however, because it was designed for a large number of golfers playing at the same time. If you are just playing head-to-head against a few friends, it is far more interesting to play for skins. With skins, the person with the lowest score on each hole wins the hole, and the person who wins the most holes wins the match. Skins is often played for money, with players paying a certain amount to enter the game and a share of the prize money being awarded to the winner of each hole.
For children, there are two alternative rule sets: pitch and putt and crazy golf. Pitch and putt is the more serious of the two, resembling a much smaller version of a normal golf course where the player only needs to take one shot onto the green and then putt the ball into the hole. In crazy golf, however, the green is the whole course, and each hole is littered with strange obstacles, often based around a theme. While the game is fun for a family on holiday, it’s not going to turn your kids into pro golfers any time soon – although it might inspire them to take up real golf.