Archiv für May, 2009

Golf Channels

With the ever-rising popularity of the game of golf, mainstream television decided they needed to cash in on the golf craze and founded The Golf Channel.  The history of this cable phenomenon is really a storied one.

In 1990, cable and cellular entrepreneur Joseph Gibbs of Birmingham, Alabama, offered to host a professional golfer for the 1990 PGA Championship.  Mr. Gibbs was ecstatic to learn he would be hosting Arnold and Winnie Palmer during the week of the tournament.  A friendship was instantly born and as the friendship blossomed so did the discussion of a 24-hour cable network devoted entirely to golf.

After conducting a Gallup survey to determine public interest, Joe Gibbs was pleased to realize that there was a strong interest for a golf channel among the general public.  The successful entrepreneur and the golf legend were convince that The Golf Channel would flourish with offerings for the golf-loving viewer.

By 1995, the new corporation had raised over $80 million to finance and launch The Golf Channel.  It debuted with less than 1,000 cable subscribers.  The Golf Channel’s first live televised tournament was the Dubai Desert Classic which debuted on January 19, 1995.

Since then, The Golf Channel has grown by leaps and bounds in popularity.  Many cable and satellite dish systems now carry The Golf Channel as part of their regular lineup of channels.  It is now broadcast in Japan and Canada and in 1999, reached a “break even” status on their financial statements.

Today, The Golf Channel is considered the place to go for golf news and programming.  They have a daily golf news show called “Golf Central” along with “College Central” which is dedicated to college golf.  They air highlight shows of past tournaments and have many programs with professionals handing out golf tips to the eager viewer.

Not to be left behind with the reality TV phenomenon, The Golf Channel has joined in with their reality-based program called “The Big Break”.  This program was designed to help aspiring professionals gain exemptions into PGA Tour and LPGA events.  It has proven to be wildly successful.

In 2005, The Golf Channel helped set up a special match play event called Big Stakes Golf, in which teams of two paid a $100,000 entry fee to play in a special tournament where the winning team split a $3,000,000 first-place prize, the largest in golf history. In the end, mini-tour professionals Garth Mulroy and David Ping won the grand prize.

Two guys had a dream – one with business savvy, and one with golf savvy – and when The Golf Channel was born, that dream became a reality.  Many households depend on The Golf Channel for their daily golf news – and this author’s household is no different.  We love The Golf Channel – and you will too! 

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Golf Balls

Casual golfers don’t give a lot of thought to choosing the right golf ball.  They think of the golf ball as simply a tool that really isn’t important.  After all, you’re just whacking it around the course, right?  Wrong!  Having the right golf ball can gain you distance in your drives, make it easier to pull off finesse shots, and so much more!

Basically, there are three types of balls:  balata, two-piece, or a combination of both.  Golf balls are constructed with three types of purposes in mind as well:  distance, spin, and control.  Choosing an appropriate golf ball really depends on what you are looking for in your golf game.

Are you a low handicap player looking for great spin and control?  If so, choose a balata golf ball.  This is just a softer ball that has a softer cover and allows for more spin.  This is the ball that most professionals choose.  They are also more expensive than other balls.

Perhaps you have a higher handicap and are looking for more distance and durability.  This is where a good two-piece ball will be best.  This golf ball has a harder cover which creates less backspin allowing you to hit it further.

Some golf balls are designed for slower swing speeds with a lightweight construction that catches air.  They are generally marketed for women or seniors, but plenty of men will play these balls because it gets them extra distance.

Believe it or not the weather you are playing in can make a difference in which golf ball you use.  Course conditions can also dictate golf ball choice.  Let’s say the course has been deluged with rain.  In this case, you will need a ball that will travel father and produces less spin.  If you are playing on a rock hard, sun-scorched track, choose something softer that will land soft and spin.

Look at the temperature as well.  Balls for men come in two compressions – 90 and 100.  When you hit the ball, the ball compresses.  Therefore the 90 compression ball will be softer than the 100.  If it’s cold, the ball will not compress as much so you will want to play a 90 compression golf ball.  If it’s hot out, you will want to opt for the 100 compression.

In general, two piece balls are going to give you more distance and they will be more durable so they will last longer.  Solid core golf balls will offer less trajectory and can spin for better accuracy.  Even the dimples on the ball can have an effect on your game.  Smaller dimples lessen trajectory while larger dimples increase it.

Choosing the right golf ball really is important to playing a good game.  There are many, many choices on the market.  Explore which golf ball you may want to use and then try it out.  Experiment and in time, you’ll find exactly the right golf ball for you.

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Golf Apparel

When it comes to golf apparel, you really have many choices available.  What to wear isn’t always first on the golfer’s mind, but choosing the right golf apparel can make a difference in playing well and playing not so well.  It’s true!

Many golf clubs have rules as to what golf apparel is acceptable on their course.  This usually means no tank tops or short shorts, all players must wear shirts with collars, and no jeans are allowed.  Other courses are less restrictive in their clothing and you can choose what you want to wear as long as it is tasteful.

Generally male golfers will wear khaki pants and a collared polo shirt.  In warm weather, fitted shorts are generally permitted as part of the golf apparel.  Most men will also opt for a hat to keep the sun out of their eyes.

Golf apparel for women, however, can run the gamut.  Golf skirts are very popular for female golfers because they are less restrictive, but others opt for shorts or loose pants.  Polo shirts are also worn by women – some sleeveless polos are also allowed on upscale courses.  Women tend to opt for visors to keep the sun away although hats are another option.

When choosing your golf apparel, you should take care that the clothing is not too restrictive.  You will want plenty of room to move around because your golf swing depends on your body moving in a fluid, smooth motion.  There’s nothing worse than clothing that is too tight – especially on the golf course.

When choosing pants or shorts, it’s convenient to have pockets.  Many golfers like to have pockets so they can carry golf tees, divot fixers, ball markers, and even extra balls, although we don’t recommend the latter as it can throw off your swing quite a bit.

You will want to choose clothes that are made of lightweight, breathable fabrics – especially if you golf primarily in cold weather.  Many manufacturers of golf apparel know this and keep it mind during production, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find clothing like this.

You can find adequate golf apparel in many places.  Golf course pro shops will carry specific lines of golf clothing that will conform to their dress code, but they will be a bit more expensive than buying them in a store.  Find a golf store and you will find a great selection of golf apparel to choose from.  Finally, you can get some great deal on golf apparel on the Internet in many, many places, often at discount prices. 

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Business on the Golf Course

There’s probably no better place in the world to conduct business than on the golf course.  Business executive all over the world know that sharing a common frustration with their golf game promotes the perfect environment for business talk.  More partnerships and businesses have been changed on the golf course than you could ever imagine.

When you are conducting business on the golf course, you have the luxury of sharing a common goal – to beat each other.  Yet at the same time, when you are playing with business associates on the golf course, you really need to practice some decorum when playing golf with a potential business affiliate.

So how do you balance business with sport on the golf course?  Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question.  Just as with any decision in business, you have to weigh the outcome with what is happening.  If you are trying to land a big account, you probably won’t want to make fun of your potential client’s missed chip shot.

However, you won’t want to gain a reputation as a suck-up either.  If your potential client makes a 7 on a par 3 hole, you really don’t want to whoop and holler because it will be obvious you are just trying to stroke his (or her) ego.  Conducting business on the golf course is a delicate proposition, so start with a plan in mind.

DO NOT – and we stress this a lot – DO NOT begin your golf match with a declaration of what you hope to accomplish by the end of the round.  If you want to insure that you will be landing that big account, don’t put on your golf glove on tee #1 and declare your intention.  The idea behind conducting business on the golf course is to make friends first and then do your business.

As you are playing, keep in mind that you will want to bring your “A” game as much as is humanly possible.  Sure, you might be playing against a person who is head and shoulders above you, but if you are the better player, DON’T let them win just because you want to gain their business.  Play golf like you mean it and gain that prospect’s respect.

There is much business that is done on the golf course every day of every week.  You won’t find a better place to make a business deal than on the links.  However, you will want to use some form of decorum to insure that your business goals will come to reality.  Taking business on the golf course could be the best business decision you ever make!

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Golf Carts

While many people think that golf isn’t really golf unless you walk the course, the reality is that some people just can’t do that.  That’s where golf carts come in handy.  This author personally won’t play golf very often without the benefit of a golf cart, but that’s just my preference – I tend to be a little lazy.  But with the new golf carts that are out today, they really can make golf a little more enjoyable.

Besides not having to haul your golf bag around with you, the golf cart can also help you avoid fatigue and carry along a cooler of snacks, soda, or beer along with you if that’s what you like to do when you golf.  You can also get a good rest on a hot day when you use a golf cart to navigate the course.

There are basically three big golf cart manufacturers that dominate the golf cart market:

* Yamaha
* EZ Go
* Club Car

Some golf carts are powered with small gas engines while others are electrically powered.  The electric golf carts were the first mass-produced electric vehicles for private consumer use.  Modern golf carts may have car-like styling despite being no bigger than a traditional golf cart.  Accessories such as audio entertainment systems, custom wheels, and custom body panels in an assortment of colors are now being offered as choices for the personal golf cart.

Golf carts aren’t just used on the golf course.  Some small communities or neighborhoods will use a golf cart where their lack of pollutants, lack of noise, and safety for pedestrians and other cars are beneficial.  While purpose-built for general transportation, these are called Neighborhood Electric Vehicles and they have various operating limitations such as top speed and heavy regulation on street use.  They do resemble traditional golf carts in style, but some are enclosed to accommodate for use in all types of weather.

There is a huge market for aftermarket parts on golf carts.  Each major manufacturing company has their own line of aftermarket parts to enhance off-road capabilities.  Because golf carts can have a long life, people often buy used golf carts making these aftermarket parts very valuable to people who need to fix broken parts of their golf cart.

Golf carts are considered by many golfers to be an essential part of the golf game.  Others just think the golf cart make a golf course more dangerous.  Either way, the truth is golf carts can really help make the game more enjoyable by leaps and bounds.

 

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Will A Golf Swing Video Really Help Your Game?

Openly or secretly, the majority of golfers desperately want to improve their game.  Be it a hobby, a sport or a passion, if you play golf … you understand this reality.

When you’re out on the course, aside from the companionship of friends and the beauty of the course the joy that playing golf creates is the opportunity to play at our best and keep an ongoing record of your progress.

The central component of playing well is having a consistent golf swing.  It’s as though your swing is the central foundation upon which your game is built.  
No matter how good or bad you are at playing golf, And the plain truth is … there is always room for improvement.   And that “improvement” is often found in correcting flaws in your swing.

Finding and correcting those flaws is the way we all improve our golf game.   Many golfers are surprised that golf swing videos are a highly valuable source of correcting flaws in your swing.  The trajectory of the golf ball (hook, slice, topping the ball, etc.) will usually tell you what part of your swing is creating the flaw.

Just like any movie … not all golf swing videos are created equally.  A high quality golf swing video must be produced by a professional to provide you with the best educational  value.  See if you can get a sample of the video so you can judge for yourself the video quality and the instructor’s teaching style.

A quality educational golf swing video should not only show the golf pro, it should also illustrate that golf pros capacity to teach what he / she knows.

A logical question is “Will a golf video work for me?”   The answer is yes it will, but like anything else in life, the greatest golf swing video can’t help you much if all you do is “watch it.    It’s will require reasonable time and effort but most things of value do.

It’s also true that a golf swing video alone won’t help you if you don’t understand what you are doing wrong in the first place.  Possibly you are not following through, or your stance is a off or poorly aligned, maybe you don’t pivot on your left foot correctly or don’t turn your hips enough during your swing.

Since you can’t actually watch yourself as you swing  a golf club, the best tool for getting an accurate view of your golf swing is to use a video camera to record your swing.   Then you can compare the two videos and see what you’re doing wrong.  Record each swing (drive, chip shot, 5 iron, etc.) from 15 feet away from both (1) behind you and (2) face on.

After the review, when you practice your swing you can concentrate of correcting your swing.  If you keep the recording, you can actually watch the improvements over time … that’s actually quite a bit of fun.

So yes, a golf swing video can be of great help for you and a key tool in your helping improve your game.

Here is the Best Golf Swing Video Course I have Ever found and it helped me take an average of seven strokes off of my game.

 

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An Empty Box Can Help Your Golf Swing

Golfers use various training aids to improve their golf swing. Most of these can be purchased from the sporting good store but did you know that there is something you can use at home? Yes there is and this is the cardboard box where your golf clubs came in.

But before you learn how to use that in a driving range, don’t forget to stretch and warm up by hitting 15 balls with your 5 or 7 iron or wood.

Once your body is warmed up, set it up. To do that, put the cardboard box lengthwise towards the target because the objective of this aid is to let you hit the ball without hitting the box. This should be 5 to 6 inches away from the ball.  If you don’t know how to do it, ask someone from the range to help.

To start, make a few practice swings and let the club brush softly against the ground without hitting the box. When you are ready put a ball and then fire away. Each time you hit the ball, try not to hit the box. If you do, just reset the box to its original position and try not to hit it again.

If you are able to hit a few balls without hitting the box consecutively, move the ball at least half an inch closer to the box. Once the distance between the club and box is about 1 to 2 inches, increase your swing speed to what you do usually.

For those who are able to do it, this means that your swing is within the zone. If not, this means that your swing is on the outside and this could have happened before or after impact. This can happen because you are not holding the club properly or your clubface is not aimed properly. Whichever the case, it is best to consult a professional who can analyze the situation and tell you the best course of action.

Should you be able to hit the ball without coming into contact with the box then it is time to remove it and then practice swinging without the aid. If your shots are going outside again, put it back so you can recall how this is done.

There are other golf swings aids aside from the box to help you improve your golf swing and you will have to shell out more than $10 just to use it. 

The nice thing about the box is that it won’t hurt your pocket because should this be damaged and have a lot of holes. You can throw it away and then find a box with similar specifications so you can continue practicing your golf swings. One alternative is a soft, long and circular foam that is used as a pool toy.

Speed and hand positioning are important to prevent your golf swing from going outside. Keep in mind that a biomechanically correct golf swing path is not inside out or the opposite. It is also not going down a straight path. It is a movement from inside to inside and once you get it, you will be able to have the correct technique to make this ball fly into the air and land near the hole.

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How should beginners take to swinging the golf club

After starting the backswing, it is important you do the activities succeeding the backswing properly, if you wish to get anywhere close to having the perfect golf swing.

The highest point of your swing~Things you should do when the club is at the highest point~What should you do when the club is right above your head

Looking for an awesome system, to help you achieve a perfect golf swing? Check out, The Simple Swing System

Be sure of having your left knee bent slightly towards your right knee when the club position is right above your head. Also make sure that the face of the club is pointing towards the target. These two things are important to be in place if you need to have a good swing.

When the club position is right above your head, it is time for you to get the positioning of your knees right. Your right knee should be ever so slightly bent and your left knee firmly grounded. You can raise your left knee a bit, but don’t do it as a practice, because you could lose your balance easily.

How to end your swing

To hit the ball well from your current position of the club face right at top of your head, exert a lot of power and force at the time of contact with the ball. This will surely send the ball soaring in air.

To be able to hit the ball with power and accuracy every time you swing, must be every serious golfers dream. It all comes down to your technique. Want to play better golf, everytime out, click this link to read more, Golf Swing Perfection

Practice is often considered to be the best solution for you, if you wish to improve your golf swing, and to do this, you dont really need a golf course, as you can do some simple practice exercises at your home itself.

Some simple tips to follow while swinging~Basic things you should know while swinging~Some basic rules for you to swing

The first thing to note is your head must be in line with the ball.

You cannot think of swinging unless the left shoulder is positioned right under the skin.

You must ensure of having your right arm tucked into you and brushing your ribcage.

It is important for the right knee to be bent slightly throughout the swing.

It is important for you to shift the body weight to your right foot when you turn.

Always remember there is no special pill here, it’s how hard your going to work to improve your game. I’ve provide a link to a lot of other great articles, that I think will help your game, Golf Swing Tips & Techniques

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Blind eye to difference in golf swings don’t help

There is no substitute to good practice in golf, which simply put is one of the easiest ways how you could improve your golf swing. Golf is a game of a lot of variables and conditions, and thus mastering the swing means you have complete control on your golf swing irrespective of the condtions.

Interested in a swing system that quite possibly could give you a perfect golf swing? Check out, The Simple Swing Review

There could be times when even the best of shots from you could come unstuck. Don’t worry, as it is normal, and a lot of people say this is what makes the game beautiful. That said, a serious golfer, who wishes to make a name for himself, will not give up on this so easily, and you can see him practice religiously.

Just so that we feel helped in our efforts to learn golf, magazines and books publish a lot of techniques that can be considered helpful. Books and magazines are really helpful from an information point of view, but if you wish them to be counted from playing golf, you must look at following the basics of the game.

The Real Nature Of The Golf Swing

There is just no better feeling in golf than having the club swinging freely through your arms. Imagine your sense of feeling when you find the club following everything you wanted of the outcome. Do you wish to experience the gratifying feeling of having the best golf swing? Then what are you waiting for - Hit the ground hard and practice your swing.

It should be every golfers dream to be able to crack that perfect shot over and over again. It boils down to how bad you want it, how willing are you to achieve this type of play. For more great techniques make sure you check out this article, Golf Swing Perfection

Not many people know that golf is a sport where luck matters a lot, and in terms of golf swing, with the variables attached, you will certainly find the going easy if the fat lady sings on your side.

That said, you will find pro golfers approaching this aspect differently. Rather than believing that luck would smile on them most of the time, they take proactive steps to fix the problem at hand. If practicing hard was a good enough option for pro golfers to get near to the most correct swing, pro golfers also ensure that they take the assistance wherever required from other experts to be up to pace.

Getting a golf swing right involves a lot of practice, and without any doubt, amateur golfers have to put in some hard work. The technique of following the basics has helped a lot of beginners to understand the mistakes in their game and fix them appropriately. Sensibly, even some professionals too have realized the value of adhering to the basics of the game, and have been benefited.

What do you do if your swings are just not matching up to your expectations?. Why should you worry or panic anyways?. Speak to a professional golf instructor, trust it helps because he will help you get rid of all problems in your game.

There are actually a lot of great books out there, that can help golfers at any level, however you have to implement what you learn. Just click through on this link, if you want to read more, Golf Swing Tips

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Considering A Golf GPS System?

If you are an avid golfer, I’m sure you will benefit from one of the new golf gps units on the market.  Nothing creates more pressure for me then having the next group of golfers breathing down my back as I’m trying to determine what club to use on my next shot.  It used to be a routine of looking for markers and then estimating your distance to the green.  Any golfer can relate to this.  GPS technology has solved this problem with the production of the many golf GPS units on market.  In fact, there is such a variety of golf GPS units available that you really should read some golf GPS reviews before deciding which is the best for you.

GPS navigation for travel have been around for several years but it is only fairly recent that major GPS sytem manufacturers have entered this field of specific sports related GPS receivers.  The basic benefit of the golf GPS receiver is that it will tell the user the exact distance to the green.  Nothing could help the user more with course management then knowing how far his next shot is to the hole or how far that huge sand trap is from his position and all provided with just a fast glance at his golf GPS.  Golf GPS has definitely brought the game into the 21st century.  No more having to guess on positioning and distance and most importantly, no more taking that precious extra time of searching for markers and estimating ball location.  The new Golf GPS systems do all the hard work for you and allows you to simply enjoy the game.

These golf gps are easy to use and quite affordable.  The basic uses allow you to instantly know the yardage to the front of the green and the back of the green but they go beyond that.  If you want to determine the distance to bunkers, water hazards, or fairway boundaries, just look at your golf  GPS instead of guessing the distance yourself.  As newer models are released they seem to provide you with more and more choices.

The majority of golf courses in the United States have already been mapped so the advantage of using the GPS is obvious.  If you happen to find an obscure course which hasn’t been mapped, it just takes a bit of time and you can actually map it yourself.  You simply walk the course before you play the course, you’ll be all set.

The Sky Caddie GPS SG5, GolfLogix, uPro, Sonocaddie, iGolf, and the Golf Buddy are among the biggest names in Golf GPS.  These popular GPS units all provide the basics of calculating yardage but they also offer many additional functions that can aid you in your round of golf.  Unfortunately you still have to find your ball, but from that point on, play becomes so easy you’ll have nothing to do but enjoy your game.  You simply locate your ball, glance at your golf GPS and select the club of your choice.  Swing away and enjoy the play.

There are many reasons that golf GPS units are now the most popular golf accessory.  They will definitely speed up your game.  So its a pretty good bet that you’ll enjoy and benefit from any GPS you select, just take your time and read some reviews to decide which is the best golf GPS for you.  A good suggestion is to compare models within the same price range.  There are additions to the golf GPS line every month so jump in and enjoy your game

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