Archive for driving ranges
Golf Driving Range – How To Use It To Improve Your Game
Posted by: | CommentsGolf Driving Range – How To Use It To Improve Your Game
Article by Brad Long
If you play any amount of golf you have noticed that some golf courses have driving ranges and others do not. From my experience a golf course would not have a driving range because of the area. By that I mean the course is located in a city that doesn’t have enough real estate to be able to provide to its players. While other golf courses never had it included in their plans when designing it.So what is the driving range most useful for? Some would say it’s place to get yourself loose before you head out to the first tee. Others will say its a place to hone in your skills that you can take from the driving range to the golf course. However, most of us who are avid golfers know this is easier said than done. I have experienced a really bad warm up session on the driving range where I couldn’t hit anything where I was looking, and then had a great ball striking round. While other warm up sessions I struck the ball wonderfully but failed to carry that over to my round.Such is the normal ups and downs golfers of all levels will experience. If you watch golf you may have noticed the announcers will watch some of the players warm up before they begin their round. They often make comments on how they looked warming up on the range and how well they were able to hit control shots of all types. This rule pertains to the best players in the world as well. Tiger Woods for example, has been known to have an awful warm up, and then went to the golf course and played “beautifully”, as he likes to put it.So if you are confused on why you may hit the ball great during your warm up before you play, and then fail to be able to carry that over to the golf course – know that you are in company of not only most golfers but some of the best players in the world as well.So what can we do about it? Well golf is like a lot of others sports in that we need to actually practice like we play. Take Basketball for an example. Coaches will simulate “real game” situations everyday during practice to make it seem as much like the real thing as possible. Football coaches do this as well putting as much pressure on the players as possible helping prepare the guys for real game situations.So the next time you find yourself on the driving range hitting 95% of your shots with your driver ask yourself if this is actually benefiting your playing potential. I can answer that for you and say with an affirmative NO. If you could spend 10 minutes or so and picture the first few holes in your mind, and actually hit some of the shots you might experience on those holes, it could help your performance on the golf course.We all know how important it is to get off to a good start and for those who are not as experienced as professionals probably aren’t mentally tough enough to handle a shaky start. Nick Faldo used to play the first nine holes on the driving range before he played some of his tournaments. What does this do for you? It will help expand your imagination and feel, which are vital to be a good player.Anyway hope this little tid bit helped. Take this advice seriously experimenting on your own, and little by little you should start seeing some improvements in your game.
About the Author
Brad Long writes about golf and relationships online. You can see his new websites on King Comforter Sets, Pillow Top Mattress Pad and WaterProof Mattress Pads as well.
Golf Swing: 3 Ways to Develop More Power
Posted by: | CommentsGolf Swing: 3 Ways to Develop More Power
Golf Swing: 3 Ways to Develop more Power
How can you improve the power of your golf swing? This is a question that all of us want an answer to. Most golfers go to great lengths to get that extra yard off the tee. But how many people actually know that golf swing power is the result of these three specific factors?
* The first and probably most evident of the three is ‘swing mechanics’. Everybody is aware of how important the mechanics of a swing are when it comes to driving the ball. If you are over the top with your swing or come inside too much, you’ll see that dreaded slice or snap hook. Your drives will be inevitably be too short, too low, too high, left, right, or a combination of these if you are putting bad swings on the ball.
To improve your game, it is essential for a golfer to work on the mechanics of the swing at every possible opportunity. The golf swing is a highly complex, mechanically movement, that requires constant work to keep it highly efficient and in check. Professionals realise the importance and have swing coaches that work with them on a consistent basis.
Amateurs throughout the world pack driving ranges, week in and week out, pounding balls without any improvement. This, I feel, is a result of one of two things: a lack of instruction, or low levels of golf strength. A lack of instruction leads to the development and ingraining of improper swing mechanics. This only results in slices, hooks, topping the ball, and hitting it fat on the course. And we all know that those types of swings lead to frustration and bad rounds of golf. I would suggest to almost anyone: find a good instructor and take lessons on a consistent basis. This can only help your game in the long run. But if private lessons sound too expensive for ‘just a past-time’ then consider video tutorials and books in the very least. Swing mechanics are a fundamental in improving your power.
* The second of the three factors is what we term golf strength. It is probably the least recognized of the three, but for many is the ‘key’ to longer drives; yet the category is given the least amount of attention, especially by amateurs. Golf strength is defined as how well your body is conditioned to swing a golf club with maximum power (ie. it is a measure of fitness). Although probably the least understood of the three, golf strength maybe the most needed by golfers in general.
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Strength, in terms of golf, is not about how much you can bench press or how much your biceps bulge! Golf strength and weight room strength, are very different. If you do not quite understand the difference, ask yourself one question: How many bodybuilders do you see on Tour?!!
It comes down to this idea: the mechanics of a golf swing require specific levels of flexibility, balance, stability, strength, endurance, and power to perform it efficiently. If your body does not have these required capacities, then the result will be obvious a less than optimal swing.
Essentially, your body supports your swing. I am sure that all of us would choose to build a house on a stone foundation rather than a sand foundation, wouldn’t we? Yet I will say that many amateurs make a different choice when it comes to their golf swing.
Regardless of how much time you work on your swing mechanics, if your body does not have the ‘golf strength’ to support the swing, you are limiting your potential. I have seen it numerous times, people practicing at the range who struggle, not because of trying to get better, but because their bodies are limiting what they can do with their swing. Quite often I see people with limited flexibility, poor balance capabilities, and low levels of strength and power. The bottom line is that your mechanics will not get better until you fix the body that swings the club!
Up to this point we have discussed the two most important ideas when it comes to power on the golf course. A review of the topics tells us that they are optimal swing mechanics and the proper levels of ‘golf strength’. One without the other is going to leave you short when it comes to potential in your game.
* The third most important factor to improve the power of your golf swing is: equipment. Yes, equipment. It does make a real difference to how far you drive the ball. The equipment manufacturers have let this fact be known to everyone, and I bet we all have gone to the pro shop probably more than twice to pick up a new driver that claims to give us that elusive 20 yards. It should be remembered however that, that extra distance might not be down the middle of the fairway; it will give you an extra 20 yards alright… but it could be left, could be right, or it could be down the centre of the fairway. That all depends on points one and two of this article. Equipment and technological advances have definitely lengthened the distance of our drives. But without better swing mechanics and your body in better golf shape, new technology will not help your game. A bad swing will produce a bad result, regardless of what type of ‘new’ driver you may have just purchased.
I think the majority of golfers are aware of the advances that have occurred in golf equipment over the last 20 years. I mean, in the glorious ’80′s when we were still playing with woods that actually had wooden club heads! Imagine that for a moment, and now we are using drivers with space age faces that shoot the ball off of them at warp speed. In addition, we have to mention the advances in terms of golf balls. How manufacturers design golf balls today makes a difference in how far they travel. What a lot of people do not realize is that the USGA has set standards on how ‘hot’ driver faces can be and how ‘fast’ balls can come off the face of drivers. Most clubs are reaching this limit, and anything past these USGA rules becomes illegal to play (in the professional game only of course!).
There’s no doubt that custom made golf clubs can make a significant improvement to your swing power. But before you go off and spend a fortune, remember the saying: ‘a bad workman always blames his tools’. In other words, first improve the fundamentals of your swing mechanics and golfing fitness before you make any purchase.
So in summary, what does power really come down to?
It comes down to three simple ideas. Number one is improving your golf swing mechanics. Improved mechanics will improve your driving distance. Number two is improving your golf strength. By improving your body as it pertains to the golf swing you will improve your distance off the tee. Finally, equipment does make a difference, but only if you hit the ball correctly.
Best of luck with your game.
Paul Buntrage (golf fitness instructor) recommends The Simple Golf Swing and also invites you to take a look at The Golf Fitness Guide
How to Take Advantage of Demo Days at Your Local Driving Range Or Golf Club
Posted by: | CommentsHow to Take Advantage of Demo Days at Your Local Driving Range Or Golf Club
Golfers are a funny breed of people. No matter what clubs they have in their bag it’s never good enough. Modern technology, with titanium inserts, appear to be revolutionizing the game and so the golfer looking to maximize their chances is forever on the lookout for the best advantage through technology. Demo days are an ideal way to keep up to speed with the latest golfing technology allowing golfers of all abilities to gain that extra advantage.
Demo golf days
Demo golf days or demo days are usually put on by golf clubs or driving ranges and are the perfect avenue to see what clubs or drivers are best for your game. But you need to go in there with a game plan if you are serious about upgrading your equipment and finding the perfect set of clubs or new driver.
At the outset you want to concentrate on just one aspect of your game. If you need a new set of irons then make that your focus and vica versa if you are looking for a new driver or hybrid club then put all your efforts into that. You will need the extra time and concentration to really differentiate between the various options on the day.
Let’s say you are looking for a new set of irons. Make sure to do plenty of research online before heading down to the range and golf review sites will give you that perfect opportunity. With your research in hand you should be focusing on only 3-5 different irons sets ensuring you don’t have too many options.
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Get your swing in the groove
Ideally your swing should be in the groove, meaning you want to head down to the demo day with a good understanding of where you are hitting it. The more consistent you are hitting it prior to the demo day then the better chance you’ll have of working out whether or not the upgrade is worth the expense.
No time for idle chit chat
Once you are down there, keep the chit chat to a minimum and have a handful of questions ready to fire for the club manufacturers that you have researched. Grab a couple of buckets of balls from the driving range and begin some testing. At this stage don’t rush into it. Be sure to use your own clubs as alignment guides on the ground. By doing this you’ll be confident that you are aligned in the right direction. Nothing worse than hitting the first 20 balls with big hooks only to realize it’s not the clubs it’s your alignment.
Draws, fades, high and low shots
Now that you have all the basics set up start hitting some shots alternating between the various clubs you’ve short listed. Consider distance control, ball flights and the feel off the clubface. Once you gain some confidence in the direction you are hitting it start to work the ball both left to right and right to left. Throw a fall high shots and punch shots in there with each and you should have a good idea of the suitability of each club. That is how to take advantage of the free demo days at your local golf club or driving range.
Now Pay Close Attention –
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New Golf Clubs Or Golf School?
Posted by: | CommentsNew Golf Clubs Or Golf School?
Do you want to improve your golf game? Are you considering spending 0 to ,000 for new golf clubs? Which approach will give the best results? Naturally The golf retail industry focuses on equipment for a solution. That is only natural but not necessarily the best way to learn effective golf mechanics. A better reality is that instruction, good fundamentals and specific focused training will bring substantially improved results than equipment alone.
If one wants to play better golf, he or she will be far better served by investing in themselves rather than new golf clubs! The cliché says “it is the shooter making the mistake, not the gun”
Certainly new clubs are cool, but can they help improve your fundamentals? If one is serious about improving, and doing it quickly, make a commitment to developing the skills and knowledge needed to be successful. Without a strong foundation and understanding of the principles of the golf swing, a player is in the dark, and no amount of equipment change will make him proficient.
Many golf principles defy common beliefs. As one example: “hit down to make the ball go up” Another “for distance, swing slowly.”
A casual look at the various instructional “tips” for the public will confuse and mystify the best of the readers! A good instructor can show you in 5 minutes that which you may discover on your own in as many hours. For the complete novice, technology will not save him from himself or herself.
The beginner perhaps should not attend golf schools, but rather consider instruction usually conducted at driving ranges or local golf courses. Usually group lessons or small clinic of 5-6 spread over a month or so, will give the student a good understanding of enough basics to consider more advanced lessons such as multi-day instruction.
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The Golf School experience is serious fun!! In three days you can play significantly better golf. The lessons are conducted through out the United States where the suns shines! From San Diego, Monterey, Palm Springs in California to Myrtle Beach and Fort Lauderdale in Florida very special golf resorts await your arrival. Special women only classes are available on both Coasts.
The best golf school instructional programs are relatively simple and differ from the weekly one hour sessions which were previously offered by the local golf professional. The golf fundamentals are emphasized and practiced for the duration of the school lessons. The major process which is taking place at a school is one of integration-that is you go from the instinctive, theoretical to specific techniques which are appropriate for your skill level. In another words the proper swing basics become habit. Some people call it muscle memory, but like any human activity, the process is a blending of the conscious and sub-conscious. That process whatever the theory, does not occur without a passage of time and attention.
Golf schools, also called academies , immerse the student in three or four hours of golf instruction daily. The student develops the physical mechanics needed to increase confidence. With outstanding instruction you are immersed in the task of learning. Golf, more than most athletic endeavors is a mental process. After all the ball is not moving towards you as in baseball, tennis, etc. Ideally, when taught early on how to use your inner mental skills a golfer has a tremendous advantage! The mental game is a major skill which is often neglected in golf instruction.
Look for a school which emphasizes the “mental game” Video/computer analysis is almost universal as instructional aids. Video/DVD records of your lessons for take home review are to be expected.
On-course playing lessons are a critical part of any golf instruction. There is a great difference between the driving range and the first tee box. Many schools emphasize the playing aspect of the schools curriculum. Without significant integration of the swing mechanics the golf course experience is counter-productive, and not a lot of fun either!
Students would rather play golf than practice -we all would! But practice makes better performance, not play. However a quality curriculum should provide appropriate on course instruction.
The magic word in instruction is still integration. How long does it take for the lessons to be “owned” by the golfer. The experts tell us , the typical person can change A preformed habit in 21 days of repetition.
A three day school at best can identify fundamental errors, show how to change them, and can reinforce them only to the degree a student can absorb the knowledge.
Having said all this-what can the student realistically expect ?
Video analysis and practice tee instruction with playing lessons in a concentrated 15 hour program over 3 days is basic. That’s 3 days of golf, golf and more golf to find and develop the natural golfer in you. When you find your natural swing, you tap into your talent for the game. A golf school provides an organized fun filled optimistic teaching atmosphere that can dramatically increase your skill level.
Most fully qualified Golf Schools instruction packages range in price from 0-1200 per person, with group discounts almost always available. One can expect class sizes to be 4 or less in number.
PS: Buy your new clubs after the school for best results
Bruce Baird is the founder/director of The California Golf Schools,now a division of the Nationwide Golf Schools with sites in Palm Springs, Monterey, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach and Ft Lauderdale Florida 1-800-894-9593
http://www.weteachgolf.com
The Advantages of Using Golf Practice Mats
Posted by: | CommentsThe Advantages of Using Golf Practice Mats
Article by Trevor Lee
Golf Practice Mats have short pile, grass-like nylon fibers to withstand the repetitive striking motion of a golf club without losing any performance characteristics. This makes them perfect for driving ranges, practice tees, educational institutions, golf courses or at home. Whether it is for indoor or outdoor use, the golf mats are portable and can be modified for optimum Golf Swing Training.
The attractive, all weather green golf mats, can add style and fun to any golfer’s office or family room. Molded from high impact polymers, the patented design makes installation a snap. Feel the solid surface under foot. Watch the ball track straight to the hole and disappear into the cup. The Golf Matswill deliver hours of fun and practice for the entire family. Now weather is never going to be an issue with your own golf mat, only your motivation to improve. Practice in your living room, garage, yard or driveway, at the office or in your hotel room with your golf mat. Golf mats can be easily transported anywhere.
By using Golf Training Mats, you can become a better golf player, as you can practice anytime, anywhere and in any weather condition because practice makes perfect. Golf mats help you in the following:
Cure that banana sliceCure that snap hookStop topping the ballStop hitting it fatStop standing too close to the ballStop standing too far from the ballLearn to hit a power fadeLearn to hit a power drawGet more distance on your shotsDevelop muscle memoryDevelop consistency in your strokeLower your score
To install the golf mat in your yard you just have to follow the instructions. Perhaps the easiest method is to simply mow the grass in the area where you want to install your mat and place the platforms directly on the grass. After a few days the grass under the platforms will die and the mat will settle into the landscape. If a less than perfect soil setting is chosen a 1′ base of crushed shell followed by a ½’ of sand will create a very solid base for the platforms. The panels are designed to flow over the existing or created contours of the yard but on a flat surface the mat will putt dead straight.
You can also leave the Mat outside as the material used in both the platforms and the putting surface is designed to withstand the exterior elements. But it is more preferable that you roll up the turf and take it indoors if prolonged severe weather is forecasted. If any time you desire to change the place of the mat that you have already installed then simply take the green apart and re-install it at a new location of your choice.
About the Author
Trevor Lee is an avid golfer who is Sales Manager of http://Golf-Aid.com. He has the opportunity to evaluate golf products as they become available. Be sure to read his product reviews at http://www.Golf-Aid.com
