Beginner Golfer Guide
Golfing Blog for All Golfers

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

All golfers – even casual ones – should have a golf club bag. You cannot walk around a golf course without something to put your golf clubs in. What size of the bag you need depends on how many clubs you own, and how many other accessories and necessities you desire to carry along. Some retail stores include a basic bag along with your purchase of a set of clubs, but if you want something with more features, you may want to consider upgrading your bag.

Features of a Quality Golf Club Bag.

Bags that have low prices will usually still contain pockets for items like ball markers and golf balls. Some are equipped with a keyring or towel holder Typically, a set of golf clubs includes 13 clubs and most bags contain enough space for all of them, in constituent to a couple other items, such as an umbrella and a ball earpiece that extends to retrieve balls from tight spots or liquid features. Some bags now also have a water bottle holder.

The bag will contain a few dividers to separate woods, irons, and other kinds of clubs.
Bags that allow room for organization are great, some have places to hold the club as well as the shaft. Protect golf club heads from damage by using head covers.
Woods can easily have the finish scraped off or can be easily dinged. A decent set of covers for the club heads can also be useful when your bag is being tossed around in the back of the cart.

The bag itself should be durable enough to withstand travel. You may wish to purchase a special carrier for you golf club bag if you do a lot of traveling.

There are a variation of styles and colors.
Golf club bags are available for women, some are made up floral patterns and very feminine looks. The carrying strap is something you should look closely at. Look for sufficient padding to protect your shoulder from injury when you are carrying the bag around the course. Some golf club bags have detachable back harnesses designed to more evenly distribute weight and decrease pressure on the shoulders.

To make your golf trips more enjoyable, choose a golf club bag that contains all of the extras you are looking for and one that is made by a reputable company.

If you liked this post, please consider visiting my blog “Golf Apparel For Sale

No Comments »

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

Aside from the full swing and the putt there are not normally dedicated areas at a golf course for practicing other shot types. You’ll perfect your drive by going to the driving range and most courses have a putting surface to practice all manner of short and long putts too. Some of the more important shots though are the ones that get you on to the green.

Chipping or pitching on to the green can be tricky as you’ll likely be trying to land the ball as close to the flag stick as possible but with little knowledge of the speed of the green and any curvature which could roll your ball into an awkward spot. The chip shot is arguably the shot that once mastered will shave significant numbers off your handicap as you should be landing the ball nearer to the hole and needing less putts to hit par or below.

The stance and grip for a chip shot are slightly different to that of a tee shot as you will typically not need to have such a wide stance and more of a vertical swing to get the required loft, distance and stopping power once the ball lands. You also don’t need to necessarily hold the club the same way, many golfers hold the club further down the grip nearer to the club’s head. This way you are able to gain much more control of the ball’s movement.

Your stance will figure heavily into the ball’s trajectory as it will determine how far through your swing you strike the ball. For chipping you need to be stood slightly back from the ball, this means you are going to strike the ball once you’ve completed your down swing and are now into your upswing.

This means the angle of the club head is increased achieving more loft but also minimizes top spin on the ball. With chip shots you want little top spin as this is what causes your ball to roll past your target when trying to get close to the pin.

Taking time to practice chip shots near the putting green (if your course allows this) or even at home can help you develop a natural instinct for how much power and angle is needed to get a perfect chip shot that stops on a dime when you aim for the green. Practice from differing surfaces (rough, fairway, even sand) and distances to help build your skills.

No Comments »

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

A golf clubs for beginners is fact not necessary, of course the higher end clubs can be a hindrance on your play.
Golf is unique in the fact that the sport requires a group of instruments, and equipment to play in full.
Many sports like baseball or basketball just require a few items that are used by an entire team. Golf being an individual sport this aspect changes into a need for the right set of clubs.

Golf clubs are broken down into sets of complete or incomplete, as well as irons, woods, drivers, putters, wedges, and hybrids. Golf clubs can be purchased in any combination of the above, but typically for beginners it is good to start with the entire set.  Also women’s clubs are sold as sets, but typically differ from men’s clubs in size. Golf clubs in sets typically come with a bag that has stands on it, so it can rest on itself while you are taking your shots. Also golf sets occasionally will come with tops for the heads, as well as towels, umbrellas, and even balls.

Golf club sets can be purchased at a number of places. In order of price, most expensive to least, you can buy clubs at a pro shop; this will be your most expensive option. You can also buy clubs at sporting good stores, or golf specialty stores. For those bargain shoppers you can purchase a full set of clubs at Wal Mart, or even your local thrift store. For the internet shopper’s eBay offers a great selection of new and used golf club sets.

The cost for a set of clubs can vary from less than $100 for an entire set, to over $10,000 for the high end clubs. Typically golfers can buy a decent set of clubs for $400 depending on where they are shopping. High end clubs are often bought in singles, thus making it more costly to purchase a set. One driver can cost over $1,000 at a local pro shop.

The term you get what you pay for isn’t true in the world of golf clubs. Unlike cars, or computers, typically golf clubs can be beneficial at a low cost. Further, many prefer cheaper clubs, or used clubs, because they offer a more standard weight and grip. Golf clubs set are special made out of different materials and get vary depending on a users preference. The cheaper clubs have a level feel to them, and don’t offer too much of any one element. If a beginner spends a large amount of money on an ultra light driver, it could be too light for them to learn the basics of their swing, this actually prohibiting them from learning the basics.

Overall it’s important to start off with a modest set of clubs until your game advances to levels that call for new clubs. Plus with all the money you save you can buy your significant other a set, and make a date at the course.

No Comments »

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

For most people, taking golf lessons means going to a professional who can share their skill and experience; but did you know that you can also take golf lessons online? It is still a good idea to take some lessons from a pro if you are just getting started and you can learn much from an expert player, but you probably will not remember everything you learn in a few lessons. It is great to practice with a pro, but supplementing these with golf lessons online makes a wonderful addition which can help you remember what you have learned.

When you are trying to improve your golf game, online courses can be very useful. These Online Golf Lessons make a great refresher which keeps you from forgetting the tips you have learned. Whether along with lessons from a pro or on their own, these web based golf lessons let you review everything whenever you need some help.

Videos

Most people have video recording and playback functions on their phones now and portable video players of all kinds have become nearly ubiquitous. One great addition to golf lessons online and off is being able to record yourself practicing and being able to watch instructional videos any time you like.

Since you can watch your golf lessons online anywhere that you can get a wi-fi signal, this makes them even more useful to you as you work to improve your game – and many online golf lessons even include downloadable video lessons which you can keep on your mobile device to watch them anywhere, anytime.

It is great to take your lessons on the go, but you do not need to have a portable video player to benefit from video golf lessons. You can watch the videos at home any time you need and keep your memory fresh; it also makes it easier to ensure that you maintain proper form while you practice your swing at home.

Audio Lessons

Golf is a game which requires focus and a certain kind of mindset; you won’t become an expert immediately, but when you take golf lessons online, the downloadable audio lessons most of them provide lets you learn in your car or anywhere else by listening to them on your portable mp3 player. This can help you to get into the right frame of mind more quickly.

E-Books

When you choose to take golf lessons online, you will also be able to use e-books that you can download and read on your computer as well as online resources which you can use from any computer. A lot of people prefer e-books on golfing; for many, this seems to be the best way for them to learn the basics.

If you’re trying to perfect your golf game, taking some golf lessons online is a good start. While there is no substitute for actual practice on the course, these lessons can give you an edge on your game which you’ll notice – and so will your competitors.Click HERE to take action.

No Comments »

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

You necessitate to be careful and consistent if you want to play better golf.For improving your game you have to practice swing regularly. Normal practice will help you to develop a perfect swing.For a perfect swing you take flexibility as well as strength.Both of these things work in synergism and in this way your game improves.Flexibility will also prevent some injuries.Golf is considered as game which is not considered strenuous but a golfer needs regular work outs for better performance and more power.Flexibility exercises reduce the stress on muscles which are used in playing golf such as lower back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and hips.Normal muscles extending exercises also remove the blockage in movement.

Useful golf aids such as golf trainers come in two forms:dual hinge golf trainers and weighted golf trainers.These golf training aids are available in drivers, irons and wedges.Dual hinge swing trainers are unique in that they have a hinge on the club that provides instant feedback when your swing is incorrect.An incorrect swing is detected when it is infeasible of tempo and timing and when it is out of the proper swing plane.Instant feed back is provided when a flaw is detected either in your take away, back swing, down swing or follow through as if one of the three components is infeasible of sync (tempo, timing or correct golf swing plane), the hinge opens up and the club breaks at the hinge.You therefore instantly know your mistake and can practice on your very next swing not to make it again.

Holder In One

This lets the golf players focus on their golf game.It safely clamps their golf bags and keeps their drink at an easy level for quick approach.It can be folded easily.This is the rigorous gift for the golf player fancier in the family.

Golf Diary personalized Scoring System

By documenting each game, the golf player can see his scores go down as he changes his approach in each game.Examine various courses, greens and sands and see where you work sounder.

Some new players may feel that employing a coaching aid is an embarrassment, and will tell everyone around you that you are a beginner at the sport, but that is far from the truth really.Many a time you will still see the professional players utilise taking devices to ameliorate on certain aspects of the game.Any pro at the game knows well that you can make use of whatever method comes your way to improve your game.When professionals at football and other sports do not hesitate to utilise coaching devices, why would you as a golfer hesitate to do so as well?

Applying a training device will leave others inquiring how you improved at the game so quick.It brings a great amount of confidence into your game just knowing the fact that you have infeasible in all the practice that was required of you.You will walk on to the course with more of an expectation to win from within, and that is just the kind of edge that can help you make better scores.Developing of course has its mental advantages as well, apart from improvement at the different aspects of the sport.

Now, onto the green.The aim of every golfer is to get the ball into the hole in the fewest number of strokes.You knew that, right? But, did you know, that over 50% of any golf player’s game is spent on the green? It doesn’t matter how long a hole is, you can lose the most shots on the green.That explains why there are so many trainers aimed at helping you better your green-play and particularly your golf swing.We all think those little putting games that you could set up in the office; well they still play a huge part in helping you employ.After all, you can’t just dig a hole in your office carpet! There are more modern devices available to help you improve your aim, and also enable you to understand the line of the hole better.You may be efficient to putt straight, but perhaps you cannot adjudicate the distance, or the rise and fall of the green? There are electronic assists to help you to do this well.

Article Source:Best Golf Training Aids www.afowr.com

No Comments »

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

A golfer’s worst nightmare is not just getting in to the bunker, but it’s not being able to get out once you do. Many amateurs will look more like they’re digging at the beach than getting their ball out of the sand trap which can quickly frustrate the player and cause their focus to slip.

With golf a good portion of your performance will be down to your mental conditioning so knowing how to deal with the occasional sand shot is important so you keep your flow and your cool to recover and hopefully get on the green sooner rather than later.

First of all knowing your position in the bunker is important. Most bunkers have a shallow front approach with a high back wall, intended to roll your ball back down if you hit it but there are times your ball can stop on the back wall demanding a more difficult escape shot from the bunker. The closer you are to the back wall the more loft you will need to achieve in order to clear the bunker and land back on the fairway or on to the putting surface.

You’re typically going to be using the sand wedge as this club gives you the greatest loft, although if you feel that you don’t have to knock the ball as high but want the ball to travel some distance from a fairway bunker you can use other clubs such as the pitching wedge. Players who struggle to achieve loft on their shots should stick with the sand wedge though, remember to open the club face to get more loft and less distance when on the green surrounding bunkers.

Knowing where to strike the ball is one of the most important aspects to a successful bunker recovery; hit the ball in the wrong place and you could end up right where you started. The best sand shots are the ones that cause the sand to splash up and carry the ball like a wave does to a surf board. You want to get under the ball to get the height to your shot but also need to strike behind the ball correctly too.

The correct place to strike is actually the inch before the ball. You need to hit with a controlled amount of power much like a pitch shot. You need to have enough power to push through the sand and lift the ball up and forward, flicking up a lot of sand if you do it right. If you hit the ball with no sand going up then there’s a chance your ball will stick in the sand and roll a few inches at best.

The bunker shot is one of the toughest in golf and so it is well worth practicing or getting tuition to get a fuller understanding of what constitutes a great hazard recovery from the sand.

Be careful with your clubs when in the sand, consider golf club insurance or golf holiday insurance if you play a lot of golf, considering how expensive it could be to lose or damage your clubs it makes sense to take precautions

No Comments »

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

A good quarter of your shots when playing a round of golf are putts, they’re also some of the more stressful shots with games won and lost on nail-biting finishes on the putting green. When watching professional golfers on TV you will often see them miss putts that many armchair spectators will claim they could have made but the putt can be one of the tougher shot varieties to get right.

Fortunately there are plenty of ways to improve your putting skills from reading the green to judging the weight of the putt needed to reach the cup. Firstly you need to get your stance and grip right, the putt is a shot that can be very unorthodox and many golfers claim their method is the best. Some hold the club in a way that it hangs like a pendulum whereas other golfers will have their rear hand acting like a piston pushing the club forward.

Whilst there are lots of theories there are some common rules that all golfers acknowledge such as making sure your palms are both facing each other when holding your putter. This should help alleviate any wobbling or shifting of the club head when putting. Another important factor is the tenseness of your grip, if your hands are too tense or holding the grip too tightly this will affect your putt, usually adding too much power.

You should have a fair level of grip with your forefingers and thumbs but you should be fairly loose when putting too. You shouldn’t be swinging when putting either; you should have more of a side sweeping, pushing motion. It looks like this because you are pushing the ball towards the hole; if you swing like a normal club then you could hit the ball with the bottom edge of the putter which can take a fair bit of travel out of the ball’s rolling motion.

Make sure when you practice to start far enough away to simulate the putt you’d take after a chip or approaching shot. You should aim to get to the hole but aiming for an imaginary circle one foot around the hole should leave you in good stead for getting the ball in the hole on your second putt.

Practicing on a putting green or on uneven surfaces will help you develop a sense of where to aim when on a slope which can help you shave off unnecessary putts too.

Learning and practicing techniques like this should help you lower your official handicap. When playing a lot of golf you should consider some form of golf insurance such as golf club cover or golf travel insurance to make sure you and your clubs are safe out on the course.

No Comments »

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

Golf is a magnificent game of skill and concentration. Many men, women and children play golf regularly in the UK making it one of the most popular sports and pastimes. Whilst many tend to play for fun there are many amateur tournaments at the weekend that many more serious golfers compete in. Any golfer will tell you that the sport can be expensive with some clubs costing hundreds of pounds each.

Golf clubs have a lot of small design features that can all help you hit the ball cleanly and in the correct direction (or at least that’s the theory). Not caring for your clubs and allowing them to get bent or covered in dirt will have a significant effect on your shots. Simply having dirt in the grooves on the face of the club; the sweet spot that you want to hit the ball with will be significantly smaller and so harder to hit perfectly. Make sure you have the right golf insurance policy to cover you when playing, most clubs have made obligatory now too.

If you have golf clubs that are getting caked in dirt or sand then washing the heads in warm soapy water will help loosen the dirt but in order to give your clubs a thoroughly good clean you’ll need to invest in a wire brush and a nylon brush. These should be able to remove all traces of dirt from your clubs to leave them in perfect condition for striking the ball straight up the fairway.

To prevent any knocks or scrapes it si best to get a proper golf bag for all your clubs, with a rain hood being your basic level of protection. Your driver and woods will be much more delicate than your irons and wedges so it is wise to get some head covers for your woods. Some golfers even go as far as getting head covers for all of their clubs.

Another aspect of your clubs that will need care and attention is the grips. Over time grips can split or come loose, sometimes this is due to age but mainly it is down to water damaging the grips. If you encounter rain when out on the course you should use a rain hood to prevent water getting into your golf bag. Your grips will normally be at the bottom of the bag and so could be exposed to any water. If you are well practised at golf why not become a coach, you will need golf instructor cover to do so and you can pass on your knowledge to others.

No Comments »

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

Golf is a magnificent game of concentration and skill, you need both to be working in harmony with each other in order to succeed and hit the ball exactly where you want it to go. There are times though that even the most seasoned pro golfer can hit a poor shot and it can go wildly out of control into the rough, or worse.

Sometimes a miss-hit shot can cause damage to other people’s property such as a car parked in the club car park or the old favourite; a neighbouring greenhouse. It’s no laughing matter though as many golfers can hit the ball high and long which gives the ball plenty of momentum to cause serious damage.

Another possibility is that you hit another golfer out on the course. All golfers know the convention of waiting for the player/s on the hole in front of you to finish and vacate the green before you take your shot. Unfortunately though with some courses doubling back on themselves and many holes packed into a small space you could hit or be hit by another golfer’s ball if you, or they, aren’t careful.

It used to be the case that you could warn others of a miss-hit shot by yelling the word “fore!” it isn’t a legal responsibility to warn other players but many players subscribe to the thought that it should be and so you will often hear players doing each other the common courtesy of yelling “fore” when hitting a poor shot.

If you are unlucky enough to strike a fellow golfer with your ball there’s a good chance they will require medical attention and perhaps even a spell in hospital. Medical bills will need paying by whoever was at fault. In order to make sure that you are not left out of pocket as a result of this a specialist golf insurance policy may be the answer.

Golf Insurance may sound odd but you’d be surprised how expensive golfing could be without it. Your clubs for instance can be costly to replace especially if you are an experienced golfer and have invested in some cases over £300 on a single club alone.

Golf Insurance can cover the medical costs that could happen as a result of a miss-hit golf ball, as well as any damage to homes and property if you’ve hit a bad shot. There are many other instances where golf insurance can be useful as some policies cover golf buggies as well as cover for your golf clubs if they are stolen.

If you’re a golfer and you value your clubs and being able to be free of worries whilst you play golf then golf insurance is for you. You’ll be able to forget about any distracting thoughts and worries and concentrate on hitting the ball straight and true. Check out any 2 for 1 golf offers to save even more money too.

No Comments »

Archive for December, 2009

Make sure you choose the right golf bag for yourself.

Posted in Golf  by racer48
December 25th, 2009

Many people in the UK play golf whether on the weekend, occasionally with friends or perhaps in tournaments at their local golf course. Golf has seen a massive surge in popularity over the past decade, partially due to the influx of younger, exciting professional golfers such as Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy.

Whether it is just the occasional game or you are taking your golf skills seriously, playing on a variety of courses and experiencing different surfaces and conditions is key to increasing your overall ability. An ideal way to accomplish this is by going on a golfing holiday with friends. Not only do you get to experience new courses that test your mettle but you get to enjoy (hopefully) the better weather abroad.

There are some things you need to be aware of when playing golf abroad though. Firstly you will likely be flying and so you’ll need a decent golf bag to protect your clubs in transit but also to carry them when you arrive. There are specialist golf travel bags that protect all of your clubs, including a hard top to protect your club heads.

A good case will serve you well but that won’t always protect your precious – and no doubt expensive – clubs. Baggage handlers are notorious for being less than careful when loading luggage on to the plane. This means that you could end up getting your clubs at the other end but find that they are damaged in some way or lost. Claiming compensation is obviously the first thing to do but can take many weeks to resolve. There is a way though that you can prepare for the worst and be covered for this kind of incident.

Golf Travel Insurance is just like having any other insurance; it protects you and your clubs whilst on holiday. This specialist policy will make sure that if your clubs are damaged or lost then they can be replaced instantly, saving your holiday from total failure. There are other expenses that can end up costing a lot of money or time, such as personal injury.

There are plenty of times on a golf course that you could get injured whether it’s a muscle sprain or getting hit by an errant golf ball. Knowing you are covered for medical costs if you become seriously injured is a reassuring feature of golf travel insurance. Likewise if you cause harm to another person or their property then you are covered for this too.

So if you’re contemplating a golfing holiday then getting golf travel insurance or golf club insurance is a good way to take the worry out of your holiday and lets you concentrate on playing the game of golf.

No Comments »