Posts Tagged ‘Control’

What to Consider When Picking Out Your First Set of Golf Clubs Monday, February 8th, 2010

Golf is a game enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. Whether you are seven, seventeen or seventy, golf is a game that is both challenging and fun. As with many other things in life, starting is the most difficult part. A beginner golfer has several choices to make, and one of the most important of these choices is what kind of clubs to get. These days, it is very easy to spend a lot of money on state of the art golf clubs. However, the game of golf can also be played and enjoyed with a set of more inexpensive clubs. There are several aspects to consider when you are picking out your first set of golf clubs.

If you are new to the game of golf and are not sure whether you will like it or not, or if you are the type of person that tends to take up a hobby and tire of it quickly, an inexpensive set of golf clubs is probably your best option. Not only is it a more affordable approach, but choosing an inexpensive set also gives you the option of replacing them with a better set of clubs at some point down the line. Most stores and websites carry several varieties of inexpensive golf clubs.

If you do not want to spend a lot of money on a golf club set, you can also consider buying a half of a set of clubs. This option is more reasonable for beginners, as well as for many experienced players who want to save a few dollars. As the name suggests, a half set of clubs contains about half of the standard number of clubs. If you are choosing a full set, keep in mind that the rules of golf allow a maximum of 14 clubs to be carried at one time.

Your skill level will greatly influence the specific clubs that you decide to use during your game. If you are new to the game, you may want to carry more of the lower numbered irons (7, 8, 9, PW), which tend to be easier to control but have less distance. If you are just starting out, you probably do not need more than one wood. In most cases for a beginner, a three wood is generally easier to control than a driver, and the difference in length will not make much of a difference. The putter will be one of your most important clubs, and since there are so many different styles of putters, it is usually not sold as part of a set of golf clubs. You can simply go to a good golf store and spend some time trying out different putters with the help of a golf professional.

Most standard golf clubs are designed for a right handed male who is about 5 feet, 10 inches tall. If you are close to this in height, you probably do not need to be measured for your golf clubs. Being measured or fitted for golf clubs is similar to being measured for a suit. If you are taller or shorter than the standard height and are picking out your first set of golf clubs, you should definitely consider being measured. This way, you can be sure the clubs you have chosen are just right for you. There are golf clubs designed specifically for left-handed individuals, women and for children as well. Keep in mind that custom clubs usually come with a higher price tag.

Another thing that you may want to consider when picking your first set of golf clubs is whether to use steel or graphite shafted clubs. Steel shafted clubs are generally more affordable and more durable whereas graphite shafted clubs are lighter and can also help produce a faster swing. Wooden drivers are all but a thing of the past, as most modern drivers now have heads made from metal such as titanium, or a composite such as carbon fiber. Titanium is ideal for golf clubs as it is lighter, stronger, and more resistant to corrosion. Most importantly, however, it has an increased hitting area, or sweet spot, which can provide greater accuracy. If you are taking the game seriously, you may want to buy metal woods. If you are just starting out, older wooden drivers are adequate.

It is important to remember that golf is as much a game of practice and positive thinking as it is of skill and accuracy. For most golfers, golf is not a game that you can quickly master. It takes time, dedication and plenty of practice. Some golfers, even after improving their game to an acceptable level, develop a hitch in their swing which can throw their entire game off. As stated before: whether you are seven, seventeen or seventy, golf is a game that is both challenging and fun. Choosing a set of clubs that feels comfortable in your hands and practicing often will help you get the most enjoyment out of golf, and will help your score as well!

Jason Nichols is a freelance writer who writes about sports, often focusing on a particular product used in sports such as golf clubs .

How To Improve On Your Golf Swing Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Watch the pros on Tour and notice how in-control they look at the finish position of the their golf swing. Why? Because they are!

They are in perfect balance. Even the pro who might look a little “crooked” at the end of the swing has a balanced swing. Vijay, who is slightly bent to the side at the finish position of his driver, is still in perfect balance.

How often do you think an amateur practices or even thinks about his or her finish position? Probably never. I would surmise that once contact has been made with the golf ball, most amateurs’ thoughts shift to the ball flight rather than where our body is finishing the swing.

Why is the finish position so important to a successful golf swing? And beyond that being in a balanced finishing position?

The finish position is directly related to two very important concepts involved in the golf swing. Number one is swing plane and clubhead is number two.

The swing plane is defined as the path on which the golf club should travel upon during the swing.

A quick review of the swing plane tells us that beginning with the address position, into the backswing, onto to the downswing, into impact, to follow through, and completing with the finish position, the golf club is intended to travel on a specific arch. This arch is a result of the biomechanics of the golf swing sequencing properly. In other words, everything working with the correct timing.

Think of the club traveling in a circle during the swing. This imaginary circle is your swing plane and it dissects your back shoulder on the backswing and transition phases of the swing.

Returns to the same position as you started at impact with the ball, and dissects your front shoulder during the follow through into the finish position.

If the golfer maintains the clubhead on this path during the swing this is an indication that the mechanics of the swing are being performed properly.

What does a balanced finishing position have to do with the swing plane?

A balanced finishing position is yet another indicator that, number one, the golf club is following the correct swing plane, and number two, the golfer is performing the mechanics of the swing in the correct sequencing with proper timing.

Secondly, the finish position is directly related to what is referred to as “feeling” the clubhead.

Ask any Tour player they will tell you that they can “feel” the clubhead at any moment during the swing.

Completing the swing in a balanced finish position requires you to be “tension” free and feeling the club head through the entire swing.

Now the bigger question is, how does the amateur golfer get to a balance finish position?

Easier said than done. To develop “feel” in the swing, maintain the proper swing path, and develop a balanced finish position requires mastering three principles.

Principle number one is proper swing mechanics. In order to develop “feel” and correct swing path requires the golfer to develop the correct mechanics of the swing.

Not only do you need to learn the different fundamentals of the swing, you need to train yourself to put these fundamental in proper sequence.

Principle number two is the body. The body swings the club. Your body must have the flexibility, balance capabilities, strength, endurance, and power to perform the mechanics of the swing.

If the body is unable to take the club on the proper swing plane because of a lack of flexibility or lacks the power to develop clubhead speed. The ability to maintain a proper swing path, and finish in a balanced position will be compromised.

Principle number three is practice. In order to develop the proper swing plane, create “feel” for the club, master the mechanics of the swing, and develop a body to support the swing, you must practice the swing and train the body. Over time this will result in the development of components of a proper golf swing.

The amateur will often leave out one of the three principles. If the golfer does not practice, train the body, or develop swing mechanics, it is unlikely ou will keep the clubhead on the correct swing plane.

Bottom line, a balanced finish position is a very good indicator that particular swing was efficient. It also should tell you that your body is flexible, strong, and powerful.

Visit the Putting Tips website to learn about putting pictures and putting grip.

Key To Good Golf Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Playing good golf is predominantly about having a well planned mental approach to the game. If you lack a good way to control your mental state then you may find it much more difficult to be successful. Quite a few people get dispositional when the round is falling apart. Losing their cool is one of the most common mistakes that that all golfer can make. If you do not stay clam then your golf with be of a lower standard and so will you. There is a considerable amount of different books and audio tapes that can help you establish your golf mentality. It is usually the biggest factor to having a winning round.

The very first thing to thing about when when stepping out onto the golf course is to be as confident as possible. If you are don’t have a lot of faith in yourself as a player then you have a reduced chance of winning the match. Those who are unsure of their own ability usually remember the the things they do badly. Lack of confidence is a huge consideration and can increase your overall net score. For example players with a poor mental approach will think more about the times the play a bad shot than the times they get it right. When people who lack confidence begin their game they are often more uptight than the confident player. The confident player is the golfer who will imagine the good and not the bad when he is golfing. The player who doubts himself only seems the problems ahead. If while you stand on the tee you have doubts about whether you can make the shot then already the shot is more often than not going to be bad. To be a winning golfer you need to think about yourself as a winner even when you are not the winner. This can be pretty challenging but self belief has to come from you. Getting it right is about putting focus on on what you know you have done well and not putting focus on on what you don’t believe you are capable of.

Other important things to read about are patience, enjoying the challenge and overcoming your nerves. Just be sure to remember all the good things that you can do when you are walking up to play the first hole. If you really think about it golf is only a game and you should be able to have a good time whatever the result is. It can be unnerving at times but it can also be great when you do play well . The more you focus on the rounds you have played well the more controlled you will play overall. The more you like playing golf the the lower your score will be, remember that and you will be a much more consistent golfer.

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You can find a great number of goof value golf cart bags on the web to choose from but finding good value can be more challenging than you might think. A cheap golf club set can also be a difficult task for anyone.

Learn How To Compare Different Type Of Golf Balls Friday, December 4th, 2009

If peak performance is what you are after then you need to learn how to do a proper golf ball comparison. Just like choosing the right golf clubs, picking the correct ball for you is just a matter of matching the different types of balls with your swing and how you play golf. Golf balls are all the same, aren’t they? They may be small, but they are one of the most engineered pieces of golfing equipment.

Have you ever taken a really close look at a golf ball? They have different feels, different densities and different spins esulting in a different action, depending on how you play the game. To get the best out of your game and your golf ball, you need to match each section of the golf ball with your level of skill and style,

First off, you need to chose the correct golf ball compression. The compression is the measurement of how tightly wound the ball is. Depending on your swing speed, depends on how the compression comes into play. If you’re swing speed is quite slow, then you will want a lower compression. Therefore, the faster the speed, the higher the golf ball compression that you will need.

In total, the compression ratings are broken down into three seperate groups.

The first group is the 80 compression golf balls. They tend to be the softest and produce what essentially results in a sling shot effect when they are hit. They fly farther after being hit but they are much hard to control and hit accurately. They are the most popular type of golf ball amongst women, senior and junior players for their distance alone.

The next group is the 90 compression rating golf balls. Due to their middle of the road standing, soft enough to provide good distance on a slower swing but hard enough to provide a good degree of control, these are a good match for most male players in a golf ball comparison. They also prove to be a great choice for the more advanced female players.

The final group is the 100 compression rating golf balls. Fast swing speeds are needed for top performance due to these being the hardest balls. These type of balls are most popular amongest the low handicap and scratch players due to the faster swing speeds and the higher level of control.

Of course the only real way for you to know which is the best fit golf ball compression for your game is to do your own golf ball comparison. So, why not take a few of each of the golf ball compressions out to the driving range and find out which ones work best for you.

Learn about putting grip and putting drills at the Putting Tips site.

Tips For Picking The Right Golf Driver For Your Game Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

One of the most frustrating aspects of golf is the idea that you can shave off a few unneeded strokes, but you don’t know how. Sometimes, you can take a look at your driver; the driver is crucial in setting up each hole. Here are some tips for picking the right golf driver for your game.

1.The club head – The best club head size for your game is determined in your decision in the balance between control and the size of the “sweet spot”, which is the area that provides the best hit in a shot. The smaller sizes range from 150 to 155 cubic centimeters and are considered standard; they provide the most control but have a smaller sweet spot. Midsized club heads are about 195 cubic centimeters and are moderate in both control and sweet spot size. Oversized heads are any ones larger than midsized. They give the largest sweet spot, but are harder to control, partly because of the sheer weight.
2.The shaft – Choosing a shaft is a two-step process. First, you must decide between graphite and steel shafts. Then, you must choose a flex level. The decision between materials relies on your experience and end goals. Steel shafts are strong, durable, and offer control; however, you must be strong in order to produce the same distance that graphite does. Overall, stronger players should use steel shafts if control isn’t quite up to par. Graphite shafts are versatile but expensive. They are less durable and offer less control, but require less strength.

Flex, as the name implies, is the flexibility of the shaft. There are five basic levels of flex in golf: L for Ladies, A for Seniors, Regular, Stiff, and Extra Stiff. Flexible shafts provide more power, which is a great aspect for beginning players as well as those with weaker swings. However, as shafts become less and less flexible, there is more control available. This is why stronger players should drift towards the Stiff and Extra Stiff flex levels; that is, if you have a 90-110 MPH swing, try out the stiffer two levels. Average swings are around 75-90 MPH, and players with those swings should stick with the regular level for now.
3.The weight and length – Obviously, the basic characteristics of weight and length should be considered. Basically, lighter clubs give faster swing speeds and farther hits. This translates into a simple concept: Players with stronger swings choose heavier clubs for more control. Lighter drivers work better for those without stronger swings.

The length of the driver is another decision in the balance between control and distance. Drivers with a length of 43 to 44 inches are considered traditional. Drivers 45 to 46 inches long can give a slightly longer distance. Any longer than 46 inches poses the opportunity to have a greatly increased potential for distance as well as a greatly decreased range of control.

Many of the aspects that must be considered depend on your swing and willingness to sacrifice control for other benefits. These are your tips for picking the right golf driver for your game.

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Learn more about picking the right golf drivers. Read reviews of recommended drivers like the TaylorMade Burner Driver.

The Proper Golf Swing – Easy Steps Often Overlooked Saturday, July 4th, 2009

If only we all had the perfect golf swing, wouldn’t that be nice? Too bad we don’t – but hey, that is why I am here right? I have all kinds of great tips that you can use to make your golf swing better than you ever dreamed possible. You would be surprised to learn how many people don’t really know what the proper golf swing is all about. Keep reading and test your knowledge!

First comes the grip, even if you have been playing for years there is a chance that you are not holding the golf club in the best fashion. People can pull off swings with things all out of whack but if you want to be good, I mean really good, you have to learn what makes a grip a good grip.

So, grab your club and hold it like you would if you were going to take a swing at the golf ball. How are your hands situated? Neither hand should be facing right down, this is vital to a good swing. Many people have their hands going in all directions and this leads to a very awkward swing indeed. You should have your hands to the side, similar to the way they would be facing if you were to be shaking someone hand. Your thumbs should be going in the same direction towards the head of the golf club with the only real spot of overlap there the backhands thumb is under the other hand a bit. Does that make sense? Having this correct grip will change the way that you play golf, just give it a try, it will take you far in learning the proper golf swing.

Another thing to remember is that the golf swing does not have to be one continuous motion. Most of the best golfers have a small pause at the top of their backswing. By taking that little break just before you begin your downswing you will be able to assure that your downswing is all that it can be. If you rush it and you go too fast then you are going to run into trouble and lose all control on the way down. This will lead to wild swings that get you nowhere in your game.

Then there are the body factors, the actual muscles and things of that nature. What many people do not realize is that there are a lot of muscles that go into playing golf, in fact if you are not careful you could even throw out your back. It may be tempting to use the wrists a lot when you swing that club but you need to understand that a good golf swing does not come from the writ, it comes from the legs and the trunk of your body. When you throw your whole body into the proper golf swing you are going to connect with the ball every time and you are going to find that your stroke is more powerful and more accurate than if you tried to simply strong arm the club.

The proper golf swing is made up of many little elements that all go together to make one perfect whole. By focusing on each of them you will be able to put them together like a fantastic puzzle t the end. This will leave you with a golf swing to die for and you will be the envy of everyone at the club, I guarantee it.

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Joseph Tierney is a golfer and college student from Florida. You can find out more about improving your golf swing at Golf Swing Tips

Choosing the Right Golf Club for You Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Golf club selection can be difficult for seasoned players, and even more so for beginners. There are so many variables in this difficult choice different club types, designs, and features, not to mention your own skills, swing and needs. To help you make a choice, or at least narrow the field, the following information on golf clubs is an overview designed to help you make the right golf club selection for you.

Cast Iron Golf Club
With cast iron golf clubs the majority of the weight in the golf club is around the perimeter of the club head. This feature makes the sweet spot larger, which is great for both beginners and those who encounter difficulty making full contact.

Forged Iron Golf Club
The choice of professionals due to design and function, the forged iron golf club has a slightly heavier toe, with the center of the gravity for the golf club at the center of the club head. Forged iron golf clubs are an alternative as your experience and skill increases.

Club sizes
Golf clubs are available in a range of sizes to suit the player, from standard to midsize, and even oversized.

Standard clubs have a smaller head, meaning a smaller sweet spot as well, and are the usual choice for advanced players and professionals.

The beauty of a midsize golf club is the larger sweet spot for better ball contact. The head size is a little larger than the standard golf club, and these clubs are the best choice for players with average skill as they are easy to control.

If you have a hard time hitting the ball straight, oversized golf clubs are for you. They have a huge sweet spot, and some control is sacrificed because of it, but this does not stop this being the choice of many seniors as the huge sweet spot gives you much longer distance!

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Jay Moncliff is the founder of www.golfclubsreviews.info a website specialized on Golf Club, resources and articles. For more info visit his site: Golf Club