Choosing The Right Golf Equipment
Buying golf equipment can be like dumping money into a money pit, but armed with some knowledge you can save time and money in selecting the right clubs for yourself. As with most things in life, you can spend a
lot or you can spend a little several times before you get what you really need.
Golf Clubs
When you are starting out and not completely sure you want to commit to this addictive game, you should either rent clubs at the golf course, or buy a starter set of clubs.
The advantage of buying a set of starter clubs is that you can become accustomed to them, which enables you to concentrate on your swing instead of wondering how the set of miss-matched clubs you just rented are going to work out.
As you become better at the game, you should think of investing in a better set of clubs, fitted to you.
Generally, a set includes a driver, one or two fairway woods, 4-9 irons, a wedge or two and perhaps a putter.
As you become more experienced, you may want to consider buying your driver separately. Some players want a driver to give them more accuracy; some need the distance.
Find The Right Senior Golf Clubs
When you are thinking about changing golf clubs to fit you better as you age, you want to look for golf clubs that will give you distance as well. You may want to have an iron that is custom made, a hybrid club or a clone wood. These are just a few different ideas when you are thinking about golf clubs. Although the clone clubs are slightly different from the original clubs, many golfers find that these clubs are more suited for their changing needs. Whether you need new irons, woods or drivers you can find some with just enough flex in the shaft that will help you gain more distance.
There are many manufacturers of senior golf clubs such as Calloway, Wedgewood, Adams and Nike. You need to choose a golf club that has enough flex in the shaft, but not too much. It will depend on your ability to swing the club as the amount of flex you need. The flex is what allows the golf club to bend as you swing and connect with the ball. You will choose from the ladies flex, senior flex, regular, stiff and extra stiff flex. If the flex of the shaft is not matched with your swing, you could miscalculate your swing.
Many golf course pro shops do have golf clubs with different flex shaft ratings that you can use out on the driving range. This allows the senior golf player to find the right club that will give you the distance. Before you buy a club, trying different shaft flexes will enable you to find the one you need without mistakenly buying the wrong one. You can also find a shop that custom makes golf clubs for senior golfers and have a set of clubs made especially to enhance your game.
Whether you buy an expensive senior golf club or a discounted club will not matter as long as you buy the right club with the right amount of flex. You do however need to buy something durable, this is where it pays to be critical with discount clubs. Just because the club gives you the distance might not mean it will be the best. Some discount clubs may loosen up as you use them more. This could cause the flex to become softer than what you need.
Senior golf players have more advantages today then what they had in the past. The clubs are designed more for their use and flexibility whereas golfers in the past usually only had a few club flexes to choose from as they gained more experience in the game. Finding the different golf clubs and understanding the best clubs will help your game. You can look at different websites under the manufacturers of the clubs to see what they offer and what the ratings are before you seek a pro shop to try the club on the greens.
What about the balls? Do they make a difference?
There are numerous balls available and the box will usually have a chart on the back and direct you to the right ball for your needs. As you learn the game and get better at it, you should experiment with different balls which could improve your accuracy or distance.
Having the right equipment is an important aspect of the game; buy wisely!
To your golfing success
Fran
P.S. Click here for more info
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Christmas Gifts for Golfers
10 Golf Accessories Gift Ideas
Golf accessories make a wonderful gift for the golfer in your family or among your friends. There are so many different golf-related items that you can buy, it is never possible for somebody to have them all! This list will give you a sure way to provide something that will bring a smile to his face.
Of course, most golfers do have the basic equipment that they need, including clubs, golf shoes and a golf bag. You may have noticed that they often buy new clubs, even when you think they must have enough - but they will want to choose these themselves. So unless they tell you exactly which club to buy, it is best to think again.
Golfers are constantly needing more balls and tees so for a small gift, you might choose those. However, for something a little more imaginative, consult our list below.
1. Umbrella. Although he probably has a golf umbrella already, if you look closely at it some time you will probably find that it is torn or broken in some way, so you can get him a new one. He will probably appreciate a new umbrella that looks a lot like the one he has now.
2. Specialized golf gloves. These are a good gift if his current gloves are worn out. He may be very attached to them and take a while to get around to adopting the new ones, but worn gloves do not give such a good grip so you can be pretty sure he will switch soon.
3. Pinseeker (also called a scope or rangefinder). Point this gadget at the flag and it tells you the distance to the hole from where you are standing. This is useful for deciding which club to pick.
4. Digital scorekeeper - a special calculator for recording scores of up to 4 players as they go around the course.
5. A putting practice mat. These are for use in the house and they are very popular because they replicate the surface of the golf course much better than most floors or carpets.
6. If the golfer has a large backyard where he can practice, a chip and drive mat protects the lawn from damage and a driving net will catch the balls.
7. A ball dispenser or shagger. This speeds up practice sessions by dispensing balls.
8. Wristbands and elbow trainers. The aim of these is to develop strength in the right muscles for a cleaner, stronger swing.
9. Golf books. Many golfers love these, but it can be a mistake to give a book about improving the swing or other aspects of play unless you know that he wants it. Biographies of players that he admires can be a better choice, or the history of a famous course. Most golfers enjoy humorous golf books too.
10. DVDs of classic golf tournaments such as the Open. For older golfers, choose a DVD of a tournament from the 70s or 80s that they will remember, especially if the winner was a great player that they admired.
You can buy many golf accessories at your local golf course store but remember that nothing there will be new to him. It is often better to look for gifts online where you will find a much wider range of golf accessories.
Enter your search information in the Amazon search box and find the perfect Christmas gift for your golfer.
Merry Christmas
Fran
P.S. Click here for more info
Golf accessories make a wonderful gift for the golfer in your family or among your friends. There are so many different golf-related items that you can buy, it is never possible for somebody to have them all! This list will give you a sure way to provide something that will bring a smile to his face.
Of course, most golfers do have the basic equipment that they need, including clubs, golf shoes and a golf bag. You may have noticed that they often buy new clubs, even when you think they must have enough - but they will want to choose these themselves. So unless they tell you exactly which club to buy, it is best to think again.
Golfers are constantly needing more balls and tees so for a small gift, you might choose those. However, for something a little more imaginative, consult our list below.
1. Umbrella. Although he probably has a golf umbrella already, if you look closely at it some time you will probably find that it is torn or broken in some way, so you can get him a new one. He will probably appreciate a new umbrella that looks a lot like the one he has now.
2. Specialized golf gloves. These are a good gift if his current gloves are worn out. He may be very attached to them and take a while to get around to adopting the new ones, but worn gloves do not give such a good grip so you can be pretty sure he will switch soon.
3. Pinseeker (also called a scope or rangefinder). Point this gadget at the flag and it tells you the distance to the hole from where you are standing. This is useful for deciding which club to pick.
4. Digital scorekeeper - a special calculator for recording scores of up to 4 players as they go around the course.
5. A putting practice mat. These are for use in the house and they are very popular because they replicate the surface of the golf course much better than most floors or carpets.
6. If the golfer has a large backyard where he can practice, a chip and drive mat protects the lawn from damage and a driving net will catch the balls.
7. A ball dispenser or shagger. This speeds up practice sessions by dispensing balls.
8. Wristbands and elbow trainers. The aim of these is to develop strength in the right muscles for a cleaner, stronger swing.
9. Golf books. Many golfers love these, but it can be a mistake to give a book about improving the swing or other aspects of play unless you know that he wants it. Biographies of players that he admires can be a better choice, or the history of a famous course. Most golfers enjoy humorous golf books too.
10. DVDs of classic golf tournaments such as the Open. For older golfers, choose a DVD of a tournament from the 70s or 80s that they will remember, especially if the winner was a great player that they admired.
You can buy many golf accessories at your local golf course store but remember that nothing there will be new to him. It is often better to look for gifts online where you will find a much wider range of golf accessories.
Enter your search information in the Amazon search box and find the perfect Christmas gift for your golfer.
Merry Christmas
Fran
P.S. Click here for more info
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Golf Lessons
Getting the Most from Golf Lessons
It’s never easy asking for help, but in golf, it is almost a necessity. Unfortunately, we often ask our buddies and partners, when in reality we should take a lesson or two.
We think that a Pro would critique harshly, but they are honest, positive and very helpful.
Lessons at the local course aren’t as expensive as you might think and they are worth it because your game will improve rapidly and cause you less frustration,making the game much more enjoyable for you.
Of utmost importance, is being honest about your game. The Pro will ask you what you want to start with;driving, chipping, putting or whatever you feel you need help with.
Listen carefully and follow the instructions. You may have doubts if the Pro changes your stance, your grip or your swing; the Pro knows best.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Don’t worry about if the question or concern in stupid-they’ve heard it all before and will not make you feel like an idiot for asking. If you don’t "get it", tell him/her that you’re not getting it. You should never walk away from a lesson with unanswered questions.
You can concentrate on one thing during a lesson, or several. You might start with a lesson in driving; get the right grip, the right stance, the right swing, the right follow-through in one lesson, and then practice
it. Next time, you might work on your short game, or putting.
You’ve invested in the equipment, doesn’t it make sense to learn how to use them to their advantage and improve your abilities?
To improving your game
Fran Watson
P.S. For more help with your game click here.
It’s never easy asking for help, but in golf, it is almost a necessity. Unfortunately, we often ask our buddies and partners, when in reality we should take a lesson or two.
We think that a Pro would critique harshly, but they are honest, positive and very helpful.
Lessons at the local course aren’t as expensive as you might think and they are worth it because your game will improve rapidly and cause you less frustration,making the game much more enjoyable for you.
Of utmost importance, is being honest about your game. The Pro will ask you what you want to start with;driving, chipping, putting or whatever you feel you need help with.
Listen carefully and follow the instructions. You may have doubts if the Pro changes your stance, your grip or your swing; the Pro knows best.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Don’t worry about if the question or concern in stupid-they’ve heard it all before and will not make you feel like an idiot for asking. If you don’t "get it", tell him/her that you’re not getting it. You should never walk away from a lesson with unanswered questions.
You can concentrate on one thing during a lesson, or several. You might start with a lesson in driving; get the right grip, the right stance, the right swing, the right follow-through in one lesson, and then practice
it. Next time, you might work on your short game, or putting.
You’ve invested in the equipment, doesn’t it make sense to learn how to use them to their advantage and improve your abilities?
To improving your game
Fran Watson
P.S. For more help with your game click here.
Playing Golf is more than a mind game
What Makes You Think You Can Play Well?
Many people take up golf and think they can play well from the outset.
Although golf is a highly technical game that can take years to master,most people think they should be playing a lot better than they do in a short space of time.
We expect to play consistently well with little or no practice, which is very strange because we would never expect that from most other sports.
All sports require skill, and none more than golf where a top round needs consistently good play on many holes and being in the right state of mind to allow that to occur.
Beginners luck is precisely that and unfortunately it is unlikely to return to the golfer who doesn't put the time and the effort in to play regularly, practice regularly and learn from the professionals on the golf course and from the best books, DVD's and videos.
Taking shortcuts will land you in the bunker or the water and that is a fast way to put a damper on your game.
As with any sport, the better your performance, the more fun a round of golf will be, and the only way that will happen is by improving your levels of skill.
You may not be able to afford a personal pro, however there are other ways to obtain instructions from the best golf pros in the world. Much of this information is available relatively inexpensively. There are also various golf aids available to help improve your swing even when you can't get outdoors.
Check out the major online golf stores and see what they have available, you might be surprised to see the help you can get with very little money down.
Also consider getting some good tapes to help you with mind control as all things being equal, the person who has the top few inches of their head in the right place on competition day will always win.
To a lower score!
Fran Watson
P.S. Check this out
Many people take up golf and think they can play well from the outset.
Although golf is a highly technical game that can take years to master,most people think they should be playing a lot better than they do in a short space of time.
We expect to play consistently well with little or no practice, which is very strange because we would never expect that from most other sports.
All sports require skill, and none more than golf where a top round needs consistently good play on many holes and being in the right state of mind to allow that to occur.
Beginners luck is precisely that and unfortunately it is unlikely to return to the golfer who doesn't put the time and the effort in to play regularly, practice regularly and learn from the professionals on the golf course and from the best books, DVD's and videos.
Taking shortcuts will land you in the bunker or the water and that is a fast way to put a damper on your game.
As with any sport, the better your performance, the more fun a round of golf will be, and the only way that will happen is by improving your levels of skill.
You may not be able to afford a personal pro, however there are other ways to obtain instructions from the best golf pros in the world. Much of this information is available relatively inexpensively. There are also various golf aids available to help improve your swing even when you can't get outdoors.
Check out the major online golf stores and see what they have available, you might be surprised to see the help you can get with very little money down.
Also consider getting some good tapes to help you with mind control as all things being equal, the person who has the top few inches of their head in the right place on competition day will always win.
To a lower score!
Fran Watson
P.S. Check this out
Monday, October 24, 2011
Golf Balls
Do Balls Make a Difference?
What are the benefits of changing your golf balls?
As there are continuing developments in all aspects of the sport, from the design of the golf clubs to the type of golf balls we use, it becomes all the more important that you use what's best for YOUR game, and that can even mean a change of the type of golf balls you use.
To ensure consistency with your game you will need to use the same balls in practice that you intend to use when you are playing in tournaments.
This is not quite so imperative when practicing at the driving range where you won't be expected to lose a bucketful of high dollar golf balls amongst the driving range hacks.
You will need to use your preferred balls when practicing your short game, as the type of ball you use will determine the distance you can expect from your swing.
You need to be assured that the practice swings you do in training, will equate with the same performance on the course.
Golf balls have had more development than any other sports ball and that development continues to improve the quality of our game beyond what many golfers understand.
You need to choose the ball that best suits your swing and this decision can have as big an impact on your game as choosing the correct golf clubs.
There are three main categories of golf balls. The first and cheapest balls are the solid two-piece balls that consist of a hard shell covering an inner core. These balls are the best for beginners because they allow
for less than perfect swings and they are easier on the pocket when they get lost in the rough or the water.
The intermediate style balls are three piece or multi-layered. These are for more advanced players as they allow better control and the ability to add spin to the ball. The downside is the fact that the ball is softer, and a softer ball won't have the distance of the harder and cheaper balls.
The high performance balls are for advanced players and offer the best of all options with more control and the ability to go the distance. These top-of-the-range balls are considerably more expensive and unless you can exploit their benefits the intermediate balls are probably a better option.
P.S. For more information on improving your golf game, click here.
What are the benefits of changing your golf balls?
As there are continuing developments in all aspects of the sport, from the design of the golf clubs to the type of golf balls we use, it becomes all the more important that you use what's best for YOUR game, and that can even mean a change of the type of golf balls you use.
To ensure consistency with your game you will need to use the same balls in practice that you intend to use when you are playing in tournaments.
This is not quite so imperative when practicing at the driving range where you won't be expected to lose a bucketful of high dollar golf balls amongst the driving range hacks.
You will need to use your preferred balls when practicing your short game, as the type of ball you use will determine the distance you can expect from your swing.
You need to be assured that the practice swings you do in training, will equate with the same performance on the course.
Golf balls have had more development than any other sports ball and that development continues to improve the quality of our game beyond what many golfers understand.
You need to choose the ball that best suits your swing and this decision can have as big an impact on your game as choosing the correct golf clubs.
There are three main categories of golf balls. The first and cheapest balls are the solid two-piece balls that consist of a hard shell covering an inner core. These balls are the best for beginners because they allow
for less than perfect swings and they are easier on the pocket when they get lost in the rough or the water.
The intermediate style balls are three piece or multi-layered. These are for more advanced players as they allow better control and the ability to add spin to the ball. The downside is the fact that the ball is softer, and a softer ball won't have the distance of the harder and cheaper balls.
The high performance balls are for advanced players and offer the best of all options with more control and the ability to go the distance. These top-of-the-range balls are considerably more expensive and unless you can exploit their benefits the intermediate balls are probably a better option.
P.S. For more information on improving your golf game, click here.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Improve Your Golf Game
Constant Small Improvements for Long-term Success
You should analyze your game after the shot. Look where the ball went and question what you did to get that result.
Information and education will assist in improving your game. Get that information from recommended books and videos. Get it from golf professionals who know what they are talking about, but always be wary of getting advice from friends and playing partners. There are always people willing to give you advice but bad advice is often worse than no advice at all.
If the ball has gone somewhere other than the right direction, check your alignment and see if your final stance is correct. You can find a lot of information as to why your shot has gone astray. You can look at the ground and observe the path of your club. You can look at the position of your feet after the shot. Maybe your shoes are letting you down by allowing too much movement in the conditions you are playing in. Look at the final position of your golf club. Consider how you were holding the club and whether you were gripping it too hard.
You shouldn't over analyze during the course of a game but making small improvements throughout play, when you notice areas that need adjustment, can pay dividends at the end of play.
By constantly chipping away at all aspects of your game you will see noticeable improvements that can take your handicap to the next level and that is why practice is so important.
And the practice that is most important are in the areas that you find you have the biggest weaknesses.
While it might be more fun to go to the driving range and hit the ball as far as possible, you will probably see better results from practicing improving your short game or getting better at getting your distance right on the putting green.
To your golfing success
Fran Watson
P.S. For more information on improving your golf game, click here.
You should analyze your game after the shot. Look where the ball went and question what you did to get that result.
Information and education will assist in improving your game. Get that information from recommended books and videos. Get it from golf professionals who know what they are talking about, but always be wary of getting advice from friends and playing partners. There are always people willing to give you advice but bad advice is often worse than no advice at all.
If the ball has gone somewhere other than the right direction, check your alignment and see if your final stance is correct. You can find a lot of information as to why your shot has gone astray. You can look at the ground and observe the path of your club. You can look at the position of your feet after the shot. Maybe your shoes are letting you down by allowing too much movement in the conditions you are playing in. Look at the final position of your golf club. Consider how you were holding the club and whether you were gripping it too hard.
You shouldn't over analyze during the course of a game but making small improvements throughout play, when you notice areas that need adjustment, can pay dividends at the end of play.
By constantly chipping away at all aspects of your game you will see noticeable improvements that can take your handicap to the next level and that is why practice is so important.
And the practice that is most important are in the areas that you find you have the biggest weaknesses.
While it might be more fun to go to the driving range and hit the ball as far as possible, you will probably see better results from practicing improving your short game or getting better at getting your distance right on the putting green.
To your golfing success
Fran Watson
P.S. For more information on improving your golf game, click here.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Trouble shooting
Getting Out of Trouble
It is always best to stay out of trouble in the first place and that is why learning to control the ball and place it where it should be is the fastest way to a better score rather than relying on big drives off the tee.
Unfortunately that is not always the case and as golf is constantly challenging us to perform better and better we strive to go for more distance or attempt shots that we aren't 100% comfortable with.
Obviously the inevitable will happen and we will need to decide how to get out of the rough and salvage the hole.
All too often golfers make the wrong decision by not erring on the safe side and accepting that one more shot or a different iron might be a better solution.
You might think you can clear that tree with a 7 iron but if there are any doubts whatsoever it will be wise to select a 'safer' 8 or 9 iron just to be sure.
Consider using a pitching wedge if you aren't completely sure you will make the shot with the 9.
A safe shot can set you up for a good recovery by placing the ball in an easier position whereas taking risks might mean you don't make any gains at all.
It's like a seasoned gambler where you know the odds and playing safe often leaves more money on the table at the end of the day.
Golf is all about making the right decisions more often than not and a decision not to play safe can be detrimental to your score, particularly when the distance you might have gained with another club would probably have been minimal anyway.
Always play within your skills when you find yourself in difficult situations.
Salvage bad shots and then take a few extra chances when there is less likelihood of error.
To a lower score!!
Fran Watson
P.S. You can find more tips here:
P.P.S Once you've tried a few techniques, come back and post a comment.
It is always best to stay out of trouble in the first place and that is why learning to control the ball and place it where it should be is the fastest way to a better score rather than relying on big drives off the tee.
Unfortunately that is not always the case and as golf is constantly challenging us to perform better and better we strive to go for more distance or attempt shots that we aren't 100% comfortable with.
Obviously the inevitable will happen and we will need to decide how to get out of the rough and salvage the hole.
All too often golfers make the wrong decision by not erring on the safe side and accepting that one more shot or a different iron might be a better solution.
You might think you can clear that tree with a 7 iron but if there are any doubts whatsoever it will be wise to select a 'safer' 8 or 9 iron just to be sure.
Consider using a pitching wedge if you aren't completely sure you will make the shot with the 9.
A safe shot can set you up for a good recovery by placing the ball in an easier position whereas taking risks might mean you don't make any gains at all.
It's like a seasoned gambler where you know the odds and playing safe often leaves more money on the table at the end of the day.
Golf is all about making the right decisions more often than not and a decision not to play safe can be detrimental to your score, particularly when the distance you might have gained with another club would probably have been minimal anyway.
Always play within your skills when you find yourself in difficult situations.
Salvage bad shots and then take a few extra chances when there is less likelihood of error.
To a lower score!!
Fran Watson
P.S. You can find more tips here:
P.P.S Once you've tried a few techniques, come back and post a comment.
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