Blaine561's Canada, eh!

It was only a matter of time before golf and technology merged, and that time is now. From computer gadgets to software, you’ll find that there are some very interesting technological advances aimed at golfers.

Scorekeeping is one place where software has really come into play. Keeping score on a single game of golf isn’t that difficult, but tracking a series of games and establishing a handicap for tournament play has traditionally been serious business. There are several types of scorekeeping software for golf players and some are even recognized by certain tournament officials to establish eligibility to play.

The options include online sites that are very simple to use. The golfer enters his or her information online and the program does all the calculations. Some golf organizations include the use of this type of program as a benefit of membership.

Evaluating a player’s swing has always been the bane of golf professionals and instructors. Where exactly is the player going wrong? And how can it be corrected? There are a couple of major programs for swing analysis available. Typically, a movie is taken of the golfer while he executes a typical swing. Then the computer software overlays an image of a perfect swing, giving the golfer and the instructor a frame-by-frame analysis. Not only is the golf swing slowed down for a critical look, but it’s easy to pinpoint any problems.

Practice is another area improved by technology. Those who want to practice their golf games often have very limited options. They can go to a driving range or golf course to get in real practice, or they can practice putting in limited space. But the golfer who lives in a crowded neighborhood can now use one of several golf aids to practice swings right in the backyard.

In this case, the answer doesn’t have to be high-tech, though there are some really great technical options. Some golfers use a net to catch the ball a few feet past the swing, though this does at least slightly limit the benefits of practice because there’s no way for the golfer to tell whether it would have been an excellent shot. Some of the high-tech golf aids allow you to see how far the ball would have traveled and the exact path it would have taken.

There will probably never be a time when computerized golf takes the place of 18 holes on your favorite golf course, but there’s no doubt that technology has an important role in golf today.

The best clone golf clubs may be the best thing for your game no matter what level of player you are. Pay less for the same quality and performance as the leading brand names.

If you are searching for the best clone golf clubs, there are a number of things you should be aware of. This is where the real value comes in to play when talking about golf equipment deals. Do not be mistaken by thinking these are low-grade clubs for the beginner golfer just because they are offered at a third of the price of top selling gear from companies like Callaway, Ping and comparable gear. The best clone golf clubs are made using the same top quality materials.

Whether you are in the market for irons, wedges, putter or woods, buying the best clone golf clubs may very well be the best option for you. If you are the type of person who doesn’t give in to popular brand names, but stands by quality and performance, then the low price you will pay for clones will be a big bonus. These clubs are designed to look, feel and perform like the top brand named clubs, but will come to you at up to a third of the price.

Many times, the best clone golf clubs can be custom fitted to your body style and swing. Having them tailored to your specifications will ultimately give you optimal performance on the golf course where you demand it the most. Please take the time to research what clones can do for you before you go out and purchase a set of expensive clubs that may not be right for you, you’ll be glad you did. It can save you a lot of money and a lot of unnecessary strokes.

There are many golfers who have been exposed to many a golf swing video and yet there has been no effect on their game. At least not a positive one.

In fact for some their game has consistently gotten worse whenever they try to implement stuff that they learnt from a golf swing video somewhere. So the truth of the matter is that there are many golfers who do not believe that a golf swing video can have any sort of impact in a golfer’s game or even its’ quality.

There are several reasons for this. For instance there is no way a golfer can perform consistently or even hope to see their game gradually improving, without being physically fit or at least golf fit. The truth of the matter is that the game has changed tremendously in recent times.

For example the trend towards larger club heads and therefore heavier ones has put additional strain on the required physical strength and endurance that a typical golfer requires to perform at any level and not just the highest. Is it any wonder that the golf swing video does not impact most games?

The fact is that the golf swing, for example is a very unnatural swing action to the body. In fact the more unnatural it is, the better effect and results a golfer will tend to have.

This is the reason why it is usually difficult for most golfers to implement the swing techniques they view frequently in golf swing videos. There really is only one effective solution to the problem and that is exercising and conditioning the golf muscles in the body to find the golf swing as natural as possible.

This can easily be achieved by enrolling in any golf-specific exercise program carried out by somebody who is qualified and knows what they are doing.

That’s really the only way a golfer can fully benefit from the useful advice and techniques available in most golf swing videos.

Water hazards probably account for more penalty strokes than anything else in golf. But water hazards—as dealt with under Rule 26—often lead to controversy when interpreting the rule. So I’m careful to review the topic in my golf lessons and discuss it in my golf tips.

The controversy stems from interpreting where the ball last crossed the water’s edge. Since the decision affects where you take a drop, it makes sense to have a good understanding of the rule, especially if a match is on the line or your working on a personal best.

The Rules
Golf’s rules define a water hazard as “any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface draining ditch, or other open water course (whether or not containing water), and anything of a similar nature.” Courses mark water hazards with yellow stakes and lines. But the rules don’t stop there, as I mention in my golf tips and during my golf lessons; they also discuss a lateral water hazard.

The rules define a “later water hazard” as part of a water hazard “so situated that it is not possible, or is deemed by the committee to be impracticable, to drop a ball behind the water hazard in accordance with Rule 26-1b.” In other words, it’s a water hazard that doesn’t lie between the tee and the green. The course marks these off by red stakes or lines.

The Remedies
If you hit into water you do one of four things:

1.You can play the ball as near as possible to the spot from which the original ball was played.

2.You can drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the ball entered the water’s edge, directly behind the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped. There’s no limit to how far back the ball may be dropped, as long as the point of crossing lies between the drop and the hole.

3.You can play the ball as it lies in the water hazard.

4.If a ball goes into a lateral water hazard, you can drop a ball away from the hazard but within two club lengths of the point from which the ball last crossed the water. However, the ball can’t come to rest any closer to the hole than the point at which the original ball crossed the hazard.

The Controversy

A major source of controversy is establishing where the ball last crossed the hazard, not where the ball entered the water, which could be relevant in situations in which where a ball lands on the ground, then rolls back into the water.

The easiest way to deal with this type of problem is to determine the point where the ball was last on, or over, dry land, before it crossed the hazard. Next, determine if the point is between the red or yellow stakes. If it is, you can decide on the best course of action from that spot.

The additional dropping option for a lateral water hazard, however, means that the ball can sometimes be dropped on either side of the hazard, as long as it is within two club lengths of where the ball crossed the edge of the hazard and no closer to the hole. That can make a difference when you finally determine where to drop the ball. Unfortunately, no golf instruction can help you make that decision.

Hitting out of the water is rarely an option—and it’s not a choice I recommend in my golf lessons and golf tips—but it has been known to happen. Payne Stewart chose to play the ball from a water hazard during the final hole of his 1989 Ryder Cup Match with Jose Maria Olazabal. The attempt failed and he lost the hole and the match. Think carefully before choosing this option.

Grounding the Club

If a player chooses to hit from the water hazard, he or she can’t ground the club at any stage of address. Grounding the club may be unintentional, but it’s still a breach of the rules and subjects the player to a penalty—two-strokes in medal play and the loss of the hole in match play. The rule resembles that covering the grounding of a club in a bunker.

Knowing the rules governing water hazards won’t necessarily lower your golf handicap. But it will give you an idea your remedies next time you hit into the water. Since you can be penalized for violating the rules, think carefully before deciding. If you’re in a tournament and you’re confused about what to do, don’t hesitate to talk with officials.

A power golf swing is the dream of every golfer. How many times have you hit one just perfect and tried desperately to remember what you did that caused this to happen?

A power golf swing is not about swinging hard.

So many times a golfer will try to “put a little more into it” to get a few extra yards. If you’ve tried this…what happened? Did you get those extra yards or did it go shorter and even offline?

That’s the point I’m trying to make!

To hit a LONG drive or add yards to every club in your bag…you need to be able to generate more clubhead speed, but under control. That’s where most golfers lose it.

If your body can’t physically make an optimum swing, from a mechanical standpoint, you have no business trying to swing any harder. The result will be a blown up score and drives that go significantly shorter…not longer.

The beauty of getting your body in better ‘golf shape’ is that you can hit the ball with more force…but with much less effort.

Let me explain.

If you’ve improved your core strength and flexibility for example, you will be able to make a FULL shoulder turn (backswing) with minimal tension. This backswing has now a ton of torque built up. With your newfound strength and flexibility…you will be able to ‘unleash’ that torque, powerfully into the golf ball.

Doesn’t that make sense?

Now imagine if you improved your overall body specific to golf. Now you’ve got a power golf swing that is under control and killing it off the tee! Your playing partners won’t know what hit them.

So the key to remember in an effortless power golf swing is improving your bodies ability to rotate and store energy…then ‘unleash it’ into the ball at impact.

If you are lacking distance and feel like you’re trying to swing harder, this is the reason why. A fit golfer has a HUGE advantage over an out-of-shape one.

Follow this advice and you’re on your way to an effortless power golf swing!

Core training for golfers is a must for developing maximum power and distance. As in all athletics, the core is your engine. Everything comes from the core! The modern golf swing is definitely a “core-focused” movement; unlike the older swing technique of lower body action dominant.

You probably have heard the term core training for golfers, but do you know what it means and how to implement it into your golf performance routine?

Your core is the middle section of your body…specifically your abdominal region. If your core is weak or restricted in rotational flexibility, you will have a minimal chance at hitting long drives.

I see this all the time in the senior golfer. No core strength or flexibility, resulting in a HUGE decrease in yardage off the tee. The senior golfer will say things like, “I’ve lost so much yardage off the tee the past few years”; “I use to hit my drives 50 yards further”; “If I could only get 20 more yards I’d be happy”.

This can be a very frustrating situation; but one that can be remedied easily, quickly and in the convenience of your home with minimal equipment. Improving your core rotational strength and flexibility does not require equipment in a gym or club.

You can do exercises as simple as grabbing a single handweight, getting in your golf posture, and rotating back and through holding the handweight in front of your stomach. You can also do stretches right in your office chair. Sitting upright and reaching around your chair, turning as far as you can to the right, then turning to the left.

These are just some very basic core training for golfers exercises, but they would give you a “kickstart” into doing a complete program for your core.

You will be amazed at how much power you acquire in your swing when you implement a core training for golfers program. Even if that’s all you did for the time-being, you’d be way ahead of the game.

But my guess is once you start slow and easy, you’ll get the “runners high” and want to do more. This does not have to be a gut-busting routine! You can spend as little as 10 minutes a couple of times a week and see results.

Don’t put it off any longer!

Start your core training for golfers today!

The key to playing par golf is to focus on more than just golf techniques, and pay attention to your entire body. Fitness is key to any sport, whether you’re running up and down a basketball court, throwing a football or playing the links. Without a proper fitness routine, your body is not going to be able to deliver the results you need.

When it comes to golf, there are four basic elements to good fitness: balance, flexibility, strength and endurance. You will want to assess how well you currently perform in each of these categories to determine how you should plan your fitness routine. If you find that one area poses difficulties for you, you will want to begin slowly in that area and work up to harder exercises and stretches. As with any new fitness routine, make sure your doctor has cleared you to begin.

Balance is essential in golf. Golfers who have exceptional balance will have more efficient reaction times and movement speed, because improved balance allows them to execute weight transfer and hip rotation without jeopardizing a stable address position.

Flexibility allows your muscles to extend through their full range of motion when you swing; it is actually the single most important physical characteristic likely to influence your golf swing. If your body is tight in any one area, your swing is going to be hindered and swing compensations begin.

Strength is what provides you with power behind your swing and distance to your drive. In addition, adding strength to your “golf muscles” will help prevent injury. In golf, focus on your “go” muscles and not your “show” muscles.

Finally, endurance is what keeps your game in peak performance whether you are teeing off on the first hole or sinking a putt on the last hole. If you have stamina and endurance, you can count on a good performance throughout your game and not worry about fatigue setting in midway through.

All of these areas can be addressed through exercises and stretches incorporated into a fitness routine. Once your body can meet the demands of your golf game, you have a basis to build upon by perfecting techniques and skills. Together, these tasks will turn you into a par golfer.

What kind of golf clubs are you playing with these days? Are they the golf clubs that you should have chosen? Really? Do you even know? There are many different kinds of golf clubs out there and if you did not check them all out before you made your final decision you have no way of knowing if you choose correctly.

Purchasing golf clubs is one of the most important things, if not the most important thing that you will ever have to do when it comes to playing golf. Your golf game is going to depend on the golf clubs that you choose to play with. Your swing is everything to your game and without the right golf clubs you will not be able to swing the right way.

When choosing the right golf clubs you need to take a good long look at the shaft. The flexibility of the shaft of any golf club is going to tell you a lot about the club. Not everyone is comfortable with the same amount of flexibility and you need to find the golf clubs that you are the most comfortable with. Try out many different flexibility levels to see what suits you the best. The golf stores will let you do this. Even if you plan to buy them for less online you can still visit a golf store to see how the golf clubs feel in your hands. I recommend everyone do this before they commit to any particular golf clubs.

While you are in the golf store get your swing measured. This will also help you to find the best possible golf clubs for your golf game.

Different golf clubs have different lengths and not all lengths suit all golfers. You need to check out the different lengths to see which will suit your body and your game the best. In most cases a standard length is the way to go but short people and tall people will need a different length when it comes to their golf clubs. You do not want to have to bend in order to hit the ball, the length of your golf clubs is another essential aspect to a good golf game.

You will also want to take into consideration your handicap in golf. This too will have a bearing on the golf clubs that you should be choosing the next time you are in the market for new clubs.

Your ability in golf will have a direct bearing on your choice of golf clubs as well. There are golf clubs that are made for those just beginning to play golf and golf clubs made for pros. If you are just starting to play the game and you are not even sure that you are going to like it yet then you do not want to go out and spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your golf clubs do you? That would be crazy. What if you end up hating it? It is a far better idea to start out in a more affordable price range with your first golf clubs.

The concept of plane confuses some players. It also confuses some players that come to me for golf lessons. Many are unclear about what it is and what its impact is on your golf swing. Whether you understand the concept of plane or not, swinging off plane is never good.

Focusing on two points—spine angle at address and the position of the left arm on the downswing—clears up the confusion about swing plane and explains its effect on your golf swing and your golf handicap.

Several reasons exist for swinging off plane. Picking the club up with your hands or rolling the clubface open during the swing are two. The most common reason for swinging off plane is adopting the wrong spine angle at address, as I’ve often pointed out in my golf tips,

Spine angle forms the natural axis around which your shoulders should turn at a 90-degree angle. The spine angle you set at address is critical because it decides the shape and plane of your swing. It’s the reason why I focus on adopting the proper spine angle in my golf instruction sessions.

If a player tilts too far over at address, the flatter spine angle causes the shoulders to “tilt” during the swing. As a result, your left arm comes off your chest during your swing, your backswing becomes upright, and your swing plane too steep. Fat shots, deep divots, and pulls and slices are symptoms of a steep plane.

If a player leans too far back at address, the more erect spine angle causes the shoulders to flatten during the swing. As a result, your left arm squeezes too tightly against your chest, your backswing becomes flatter, and your swing plane too shallow. Hitting behind the ball, thin shots, and loss of power are symptoms of a shallow plane.

Keep in mind that a taller player has a naturally steeper swing plane than a shorter person does, and a shorter player has a naturally flatter swing plane than a taller person does.

While your shoulder turn and arm swing are related, a good backswing requires a left arm swing that’s on a slightly higher plane than your shoulders. This arm angle allows your shoulders to have more of a free passage to the ball on the downswing. If your left arm swing is off, you’ll automatically be on the wrong plane with your swing will be off.

Here’s a test I use in my golf lessons to tell if a player is on plane with his/her swing. Take a club, assume your normal posture, and swing to the top. Hold that position for a second. Now, loosen your grip and let the shaft fall.

If the shaft hits you on the top of the right shoulder, your swing is on plane. If it hits you on the head or neck, your swing plane is too steep. Conversely, if it falls behind your back without hitting your body, your swing plane is too shallow.

Employing a simple move at the top of your backswing ensures that you’re taking the right swing plane as you start into the downswing. As you begin your downswing shift your weight onto your left foot while, at the same time, bringing your right elbow back down to your body. Remember to retain the angle of your wrist as you complete this move. It’s the seat of power and the key to maximum distance.

As the weight shifts to the left and the elbow drops down, the club falls automatically into the right slot for the correct swing plane. This movement flattens the swing ever so slightly. It’s the ideal position from which to swing the club down at the ball, delivering the clubhead squarely to the ball.

In essence you’re actually employing two swing planes to hit the ball correctly, one slightly different than the other. The first comes from executing the correct take away. The second from dropping down your right elbow just before the downswing.

That slightly different swing plane is crucial. It runs right through the correct angle of your spine, the natural axis around which your shoulders should turn, enabling you to deliver a clean crisp blow to the ball with a square clubhead and good power. And that’s the goal of all golf instruction on swing plane.

I hope this article clears up the confusion about swing planes. If you work on taking the club back on the right plane and on dropping your right elbow down during your swing, you’ll see results. That, in turn, will help you lower both your individual golf scores and your golf handicap.

A core golf workout that produces a power golf swing is one that focuses on rotation. The primary movement in the golf swing is rotating your upper body back, then rotating it through to the finish. That is why it is critical you implement exercises that involve rotational strength and flexibility

There is a lot of confusion with golfers on what to focus on when trying to improve power in the golf swing. Your power comes from your core. Just like in any other sport, your core is the engine to the swing.

Participating in a core golf workout for more power in your golf swing does not take fancy equipment or for that matter a lot of time. Getting creative with what you have laying around your house or even your office will do just fine.

A good example is at your office. Your sitting in your chair in front of your computer and your back gets stiff. Don’t just let it get stiffer, do a rotational stretch right there on the spot in your chair. Reach around the back of your chair with one hand, and leverage the other hand against your thighs to rotate as far as you can. Hold it for 10 seconds and go to the other side.

How simple was that? Try it right now as you’re reading this article!

That would be considered one exercise for your core golf workout that will improve your power golf swing.

Do this several times a day, and try to rotate farther each time you do it. You’ll notice you can go much farther the more you do it.

How about a strength exercise for your core?

Get creative. Grab anything you have in your home or office that you can hold in your hands. While sitting or standing, extend your arms straight out in front of you and while looking straight ahead, rotate with your arms as far as you can to the right holding this object. Now rotate to the left. Do this a total of 20 times.

You’ll notice you will be able to rotate farther and farther after each rotation!

How hard was that? No gym. No fancy equipment. Just a can of soup, or even a half gallon of milk. If you’ve got some hand weights gathering dust, that’s even better. Try to increase your weight as time goes on.

Hopefully you’re getting the idea of what a core golf workout is that will improve your power golf swing quickly.

As a golfer, always pay attention to the physical requirements of the golf swing. What position your body is in. What movement your body goes through. And at what rate of speed.

When you approach your golf exercise and golf stretching program with this mindset you’re on your way to a power golf swing that will be the envy of your foursome.