Friday, October 22, 2010

The Best Golf Swing Ever is Officially Dead!


Golfers will go to great lengths to hit the golf ball better. Many Golfers have a tendency to believe just about anybody and everybody that promises to have a Theory on a better golf swing. And although in the back of your mind - you know that much of this stuff is too good to be true - your passion for golf overwhelms all sense of better judgment.

The question is why would a person start trying to use a golf swing such as something called a Stack and Tilt? Which, if you haven't already heard - is just another invented golf swing that was dreamed up by a couple of snake oil salesman preying on desperate Golfers - that somehow became the latest "hot" thing to do for all of about 5 minutes.

However, thankfully it has now been officially thrown in the overflowing dumpster with all the other golf fads that have passed. This new swing sensation was supposedly being used by a bunch of PGA Tour Players - when in fact, how many of these Tour Players are using this concept today? Probably the same amount that are using another once hot fad that's in the overflowing dumpster of new golf swings - something called Natural Golf.

Thankfully as we scan the golf internet chat rooms - there is little talk of this Stack and Tilt thing - unlike 5 months ago when it was the latest and greatest. And just like much of America was in a real estate frenzy just a couple of years ago where you had to be in real estate or you were missing something big - the gurus of the golf internet chat rooms had desperate Golfers worked up into a similar sort of maniacal frenzy about having to try this new golf swing.

"I heard that Tiger is going to start using the Stack and Tilt!" 'My cousin has a friend that knows a guy whose wife is friends with someone that lives next to Mickelson's accountant and she says that Mickelson is also trying it!' "I usually score around 95 and I shot a 62 my very first round using it!"

And blessedly, as GMS announced many months ago (in the December 12th, 2007 issue of Golf Improvement Weekly) that this new swing should be labeled as the Stack and Shank - it is now (18 months later) being referred to by that moniker by the same gurus who were proclaiming it as the greatest thing since interchangeable shafts for your Driver. All those poor Golfers that got caught up with another golf swing fad - that wasted the last 18 months not improving, but most likely learning to shank the golf ball and lose distance on their tee shots.

Yet, just like all other fads - it seems that there still might be some Golfers that are now just starting to try out the Stack and Shank - kind of like the little kid that arrived at his friends birthday party at 4:00 pm when it really started at 1:00 pm - saying: "Hey guys, where are you going? Why are you leaving the party already?" 'Jimmy, we ate the cake and opened the presents - the party is over. There is some leftover birthday cake on the table, but it wasn't very good - too much frosting and sprinkles - not enough cake.' "Oh, I'm hungry - I'll eat anything!"

How is it that people that are so smart that they could build businesses or be key personal in a business - people that have to deal with snake oil salesman everyday as part of their career - get hornsnaggled by a couple of golf pro's touting their revolutionary golf swing?

I was very lucky at the start of my life in golf - as I was able to train under a very smart Golf Professional that said to me: "Marky, the golf swing is like a box of Kellogg Corn Flakes." To which I answered probably like you are right now - 'huh?'

He continued - "The golf swing is like a box of Kellogg Corn Flakes. What's inside the box never changes - the only thing that changes is the packaging."

And what he meant was: the golf swing is the golf swing like corn flakes are corn flakes - the ingredients of a good golf swing don't change, just like the ingredients of corn flakes do not change. There are no new golf swings that will make you better. However, the packaging or in golf terms, the way of explaining the golf swing so that a Golfer can improve - can always improve.

The packaging equates (but isn't limited) to: being able to continually help Golfers using improved concepts such as better, more effective drills that will help you to feel your golf swing. Developing training methods so that Golfers can better understand their golf swing, without having to think about too many things on every swing, along with understanding how to fix it quickly after a bad shot. And then training Golfers to practice their golf swing more efficiently using a PLAN based on their Strengths and Weaknesses as opposed to just beating golf balls like the Monkeys on the range.

There will never be a new golf swing that will be invented that will help Golfers to improve their ball striking (the actual corn flake doesn't change). However, Golf Instructors can improve their communication skills and knowledge of the golf swing so that we can teach the golf swing in a simpler manner. Yes, there are varying degrees of talent amongst Instructors - yet, there are no new golf swings.

Yes, there are many movements in the golf swing using all the different parts of your body. Most Golf Instructors will teach you all those movements. And unfortunately many Golfers think that just because an Instructor talks about all those movements - that must mean this Instructor is a good Instructor. On the contrary - an Instructor that needs to talk about all those movements is a weak and ineffective Instructor who probably doesn't have many Golfers that improve. Yet, they maybe held in high esteem just because they talk like they know what they're doing.

For years (and still today), many less informed Golf Instructors will teach a Golfer to turn their shoulders and turn your hips and to shift your weight. Three things that most Golfers have been taught and try to do on every golf swing - yet, more times than not; fail to accomplish doing it effectively - thus resulting in an errant golf shot.

On the other hand, a talented Golf Instructor can have you doing all three things without you having to think about doing all three things every golf swing. We help you to do all of the above without thinking about it. Talented Golf Instructors help you by formulating drills that will have you doing all those things naturally - meaning without consciously thinking about it.

Creating good habits in your golf swing without you having to think about it is the first step to a consistent golf swing. And when you can do that - you'll swing smoother and you'll hit the golf ball better and more consistent.

The Golf Instructor that feels the need to teach you everything about the golf swing is like the sports hero being interviewed on TV that uses big, fancy words to hide the fact that he graduated high school only because he was a star athlete. So he'll use fancy words to make him appear smarter and/or more talented - although many times he won't even use these words correctly.

"You have to make sure that you use a one piece takeaway so that your swing path starts slightly to the inside while making sure you maintain the proper posture. As you're doing this, your club will be starting on plane as your shoulders turn 90 degrees to the target, hips 45 degrees and that you have 55% of your weight on your right foot and 45% of your weight on your left foot. Then you must ...."

'Oh, that guy sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I need to listen to what he's teaching!"

The skill of a fabulous Instructor is to take all those movements and find a way to wrap them up for the Golfer into one movement. For example: If you ever see a Golfer that's struggling with their game - do they have more or less swing thoughts than someone that's playing well? Of course - they have way too many swing thoughts. "Oh, this is terrible - I have so much I'm thinking about on every swing."

And then this Golfer will go take a golf lesson to improve their golf swing and lo and behold, what might that Golf Instructor do? If it's like most golf lessons - the Golf Instructor gives this already confused Golfer even more to think about. Why? Because many Instructors want to prove to you how much they know about the golf swing. And they're going to prove it to you that they know a lot - if you like it or not.

And more times than not - that Golfer walks away more confused, playing worse and swearing to never take another golf lesson again. Which is unfortunate because there are some really excellent Golf Instructors available.

On the other hand - when you speak to a Golfer that's hitting the golf ball great and ask them what they were thinking about on that last shot, it often is: "I don't know, I was just trying to make a smooth golf swing."

So if that's the case - it's no wonder why most people get worse after the typical golf lesson. Because the typical Golf Instructor talks about all these little movements and you try to do as your Instructor says and then you struggle on the golf course. Yet, the talented Instructor knows how to take all those movements and have you make all those movements without you having to think about it.

A truly great and talented Golf Instructor doesn't care about being perceived as intelligent - all we care about is that our Golfers are improving.

The Monkey grabs the new, latest and greatest vine that all the other Monkeys are grabbing just because the other Monkeys are grabbing it

The Player understands the golf swing is like Corn Flakes and finds the Instructor that knows how to package specifically for their golf game.








Go ahead, Be a Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life
http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com


Golf Clubs and Golf Wedges


It was during 1980 that the golf clubs started gaining popularity. As more and more people were attracted towards golf clubs, this aspect led to improvements of golf club construction and design. The basic improvements were made in the following aspects.

o Making the ball to go straighter and making the golf club to compensate for swing error. This is known as forgiveness in golf terminology.

o Enable the golf ball to move further and property of hard hitting of the golf club. This is termed as distance.

The basic principle of the golf is "hit farther and straighter'. Perimeter weighing, designing the golf club with low center of gravity and large sweet spot are the basic criteria of a golf club. Golf clubs which posses the above qualities is termed as game improvement golf club. However, there are only few golf clubs that meets the criteria. After having understood the basic requirements of game improvement golf clubs, let us elaborate about these basic criteria.

o Perimeter Weighting: In simple words perimeter weighting indicates that the weight of the golf club is not positioned at the center and the head is positioned around the perimeter of golf club. Small spot is the basic requirement for heating hard the ball at perfect dead center. This small sweet spot allows you to put more physical force on the golf ball impact point. This facilitates you in hitting a longer shot. Perimeter weighting is considered essential for optimum forgiveness attribute of the golf club.

o Low Center of Gravity: Popularity of low center gravity golf clubs is on increase in the golfers. Designing golf clubs with concept of low center of gravity enables hitting the golf ball high into the air as the weight is shifted to the club bottom. Golfer who do not have problem in hitting the golf ball high in the air may not give more importance to the property of low center gravity. But for those who have problem in the hitting golf ball high in the air, lower center of gravity plays major role in improving their game. Tungsten golf clubs pay more attention towards low center of gravity as tungsten is considered heavier that steel and tungsten allows golf club to have more weight.

o Large Sweet Spot: Usually, the large sweet spot is created with the design of perimeter weighting. This is the important place to make contact with the golf ball. Larger sweet spot is considered to be swing errors increasing. Shifting of perimeter weighting is considered to be the best way to hit the ball high in the air and correcting toe-miss-hits.

Golf Wedges

Golf wedges usually comes in different degree lofts. Most preferred degree loft wedges are 46, 52, 56, 60 and 64 degree lofts. Following are the few types of golf wedges.

o Gun metal golf wedges: These golf wedges are with 65 degree loft. Gun metal wedges bears sophisticated and sleek look. It gives slippery feel though this will not have any effect on your game.

o Designer Wedges: These golf wedges are color coded and colors are suggestive of degree lofts. For example Green (64), Red (60), Blue(56), Yellow (52) and Bronze (46). These golf wedges have proprietary Plasma finish.

Usually, specifications of all golf wedges are identical. You have to choose the right golf wedge that will facilitate you to hit the ball hard and straight.








Golf Clubs and Golf Wedges


The Principles of the Pro Golf Swing


Developing consistency and confidence in your golf game begins by firstly developing a better understanding of how the golf club's design influences your golf balls behaviour. Each golf club is engineered to very fine tolerances and has been built to help you to gain a level of control over trajectory, curvature and ball speed. Your job is to use the golf club correctly, which is to say use it in such a way that you strike consistent golf shots that you're satisfied with...most of the time. But this as you already know is definitely a challenge given the amount of conflicting information you have to sift through to find the best way for you to use the golf club correctly.

We all want to hit the ball better and learning how to apply the principles of the pro golf swing will definitely help you to develop consistency and confidence. Following are the pro golf swing principles that I believe will help you to strike the golf ball more solidly and consistently leading to more confidence on the golf course.

Principle # 1 - Control the angle of the golf shaft as it strikes the golf ball.

Controlling trajectory begins by understanding the relationship between the head or striking end of the golf club and the handle or holding end as the golf club strikes the golf ball. There are three conditions that the golf shaft can be in as it strikes the ball. The shaft can lean forwards towards the target, it can have no lean, or it can lean backwards away from the target. When using an iron or a wood we ideally want the golf shaft leaning slightly forwards as the golf ball departs from the clubface.

How do you do it?

Practice punching your golf shots by trying to hit your golf shots as low as possible using a seven iron without moving your upper body towards the target until the golf ball has left the clubface. Practice hitting golf shots under low tree branches and bushes and focus on hitting the ball before the ground. You might have noticed that PGA tour professionals use the punch shot quite often when they hit their approach shots into the green.

Principle # 2 - Control the clubface angle as the club head strikes the golf ball.

The clubface can be in one of three conditions as the golf ball is struck. It can be open to the target line, square to the target line or closed to the target line. It is helpful to know that the golf club should not be square at impact but actually slightly open. The reason for this is that there is a very important distinction that you should be aware of. Rather than thinking of impact as the time when the club comes into contact with the golf ball, think of it as two distinct times in your golf swing - impact or collision and separation. When the golf club makes contact with the ball the clubface should be slightly open not square, and during the time that the golf ball is in contact with the clubface it "squares up" and the ball departs or separates from the clubface.

How do you do it?

The key to achieving this is to make sure that your hands when applied to the handle are positioned so that the pressure is behind the handle rather than on top. The best example I can give you is to imagine that you are pushing a shopping cart or lawn mower and think about where your hands are positioned on the handle. The strongest position for your hands is behind the handle when applying pressure to move the object forward. This is no different on a golf club where the objective is to apply pressure to the rear of the golf ball. If you want to hit stronger and longer shots, make sure that both hands are rotated slightly behind the handle of the golf club.

Principle # 3 - The accelerating golf club should decelerate as late as possible.

A golf club at the start of the downswing accelerates, achieves peak acceleration and then decelerates until it stops. Every golf club swung by a human being does this. You may have heard commentators describe how pro's "accelerate through the ball" which is a nice thought but actually it doesn't happen quite like that. In fact the golf club is slowing down as it comes into contact with the golf ball and for some golfers it's slowing down quite rapidly. The key is to reduce the deceleration so that it happens as late as possible.

How do you do it?

Make short backswings with a full and complete wrist cock. Swing your arms back to about 9 o'clock with the club head pointing directly upwards. From this position swing the club to the finish position and create a loud whoosh sound on the target side of the golf ball. As you whoosh your golf club swing into a perfectly balanced finish position. The key to this practice method is to only focus on developing the whoosh in front of the golf ball rather than at the golf ball. Now transfer the feeling into your golf swing by still focusing on creating the whoosh in front of the golf ball.

Practice developing the pro golf swing principles and incorporate them into your golf swing. With some consistent practice you will start to notice improved results leading to more consistency and golf confidence.








Author Lawrence Montague has been a leading golf teaching professional in Australia for more than twenty years and owns one of the top golf schools based on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

If you enjoyed reading this article please visit my golf blog at http://www.GolfConfidence.org. Or for information on my golfing school you can go to http://www.GoldCoastGolfSchool.com.au where you can find out about my one to five day golf improvement programs.


Golf Grips and Full Release Grips


Grips are the most important equipment of golf club. Golf grips which provides faster grip lose is considered to be best golf grips. There are different companies in the market that manufactures the golf grips keeping needs of the golfers in mind. Experts recommend frequent change of golf grips to avoid disadvantages of your used golf grips which may be lead to loosing your grip due to hardening, oxidizing or grips getting slick. It is always better to change your golf grip either after 3,000 rounds or once in six months.

Introduction of full release golf grips is considered to be the biggest change in the golf club during last century. Full release golf grips help you in improving you game. Full release golf grip enables you to hit straighter and farther. It also gives you advantage of improving accuracy, confidence and distance. You will find number of golf grips available for sale in the market. You have wide range to choose from. Golf grips and full release golf grips are manufactured according to the approved specifications. Full release golf grips facilitate you in full release of the golf club and to achieve club head speed at its optimum.

Following are the some examples of full release golf grips.

o X-line full release golf grip: This golf grip is made up of smooth rubber. You have the option to either purchase it singly or are available in the set of 13 set golf kit.

o X-line cord golf grip

o X-wrap full release golf grip: These x-line grips are also made up of smooth rubber.

o 2 color wrap full release golf grip

o Designer wrap full release golf grip: These golf grips are made from soft polyurethane. These are tacky wrap golf grips. Designer wrap full release golf grips are available in two types names Wrap designer red golf grip and wrap designer blue red grips. These designer grips are known for their property of becoming tackier where the weather is inclement.

o Reverse design golf grips

Generally these full release golf grips are available in golf grip sets. A golf grip kit consisting of grip tape, visuals (video) and instructions for use of golf grips is always accompanied with the golf grips.

Full release golf grips manufactured according to Taperedo Technology specifications are like that of baseball bat grip, thinner at the top end and thicker at bottom end. Patents confirmed golf grips permits you easy release that enhances swing speed of club and gives you improved game touch.

Following are the few salient features of full release golf grips.

o Full release golf grips help you in professional players' like proper finger tip grip. This helps you in improving your game.

o Full release golf grips provide you with enhanced distance and speed of club head.

o Full release golf grip helps you in improving your short game.

o Full release golf grips allow you powerful release without changing swing weight.

o Golf grip reduces hooks and dispersion in slice-shots.

Full release golf grips have displaced the traditional grips. It is felt that these full release golf grips will become more popular in near feature considering the benefits it offers to improve your golf game.








Golf Grips and Full Release Grips


Thursday, October 21, 2010

Improve Your Golf Swing and Driving Distance with Golf Stretches


The golf swing is arguably one of the most difficult athletic actions to perform. The golf swing requires you to draw the golf club through a long range of motion with proper technique and exact timing.

Any error in swing plane, timing, or sequence will cause your golf swing to suffer, and suffer it will. Unfortunately, the result of your golf swing suffering will be errant shots, poor golf scores, and frustration on the golf course.

Often the amateur is at a lost for why their golf swing results in errant shots. Countless hours are spent at the range in an effort to improve their golf swing. Hundreds or even thousands of dollars are spent on lessons each year, and not to mention the purchasing of new equipment.

It all adds up to a lot of time and money spent on improving the golf swing. Unfortunately, for many amateur golfers their handicaps and score never improve. Leading to the question "why is my golf game not improving?"

If this is you and this question lingers in your mind. The answer to your question could easily be staring right back at you in the mirror. The failure of improvement may have absolutely nothing to do with the driver you are swinging, the teaching pro helping you with your swing, or even your practice routine. It could all do with you! Yes you, the physical body swinging the golf club.

Keep in mind the golf club does not perform the mechanics of the golf swing. Nor do the mechanics of the golf swing execute themselves without you. It is you and your body executing the mechanics of the golf swing. The point to make is your body directly affects the mechanics of the golf swing.

Additionally, the golf swing requires your body to encompass certain physical qualities to execute the mechanics of the golf swing correctly. These physical qualities are certain levels of flexibility, muscular strength, balance, and power. If you are lacking the minimal amounts of flexibility, balance, strength, and power to execute the golf swing correctly. Compensations will occur even before you swing the golf club.

For example, let's look at your flexibility. The golf swing requires you to draw the golf club through a large range of motion. The backswing requires a full shoulder turn to set the club in the correct slot for the downswing, and the finish position is almost a mirror image of the backswing.

In order to perform these parts of the golf swing correctly, the muscles of your body must be flexible. An inflexible body in which muscles are "tight" creates restrictions in movement. Restrictions in movement in relation to the golf swing will undoubtedly result in limitations pertaining to golf swing. The limitation will impede you from creating a full shoulder turn and balanced finish position. This causes compensations in the mechanics of the golf swing.

The entire body needs to be flexible for the golf swing. Certain muscles more than others are involved in the golf swing, and if these muscles are "tight" they will directly affect your golf swing. One such set of muscles is your hamstrings.

The hamstrings (back side of your upper leg) are often "tight" and cause problems to many people, not just golfers. However, they have a profound effect on the golf swing and it is not a good effect. Hamstrings that are "tight" are in a shortened position. The shortened position of the hamstrings has a direct effect on the position of your hips. Your hips will be "tucked", directly affecting your posture. This in itself can hamper the ability to place oneself in the correct position at address within the golf swing, not to mention maintaining a proper spine angle during the swing.

Additionally, "tight" hamstrings place an undo amount of stress on the lower back. Large amounts of stress on the lower back cause fatigue, soreness, and increase the possibility of injury. If you are a golfer that has ever experienced lower back pain you know the effect it has on your ability to swing the golf club correctly.

A combination of a postural change and undo amounts of stress on the lower back, just begin to scratch the surface of the effect inflexible muscles can have on the golf swing. "Tight" muscles change the kinematics of the body. As a result, the biomechanics of the golf swing must be altered. These alterations usually lead to compensations in the mechanics of the golf swing resulting in errant shot patterns on the golf course.

And no matter what you do in terms of practice or instruction these alterations will not go away until you address them. Just as you address swing faults, you must address flexibility faults. Flexibility faults can be addressed through golf stretches.

Golf stretches enhance the flexibility of your body in relation to the golf swing. Golf stretches often times return muscles that are "tight" such as the hamstrings to their proper length. This results in the ability of your body to perform the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. If you are one of many golfers who are not finding their golf swing improving through practice and instruction. Take a moment and look at the body swinging the golf club. This very well may be the root of your golf swing problems. Fix your flexibility faults through golf stretches and find yourself on the road to lower golf scores and more enjoyment in the game of golf.








About the Author

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com


Las Vegas Golf Stores


Las Vegas golf stores have a unique line of golf accessories and equipment, which includes golf head covers, deluxe golf shoe bags, golf apparel, golf bags, golf balls, golf related books, and golf gift ideas.

Many golf stores in Las Vegas maintain a separate department to customize the ideas and needs of the customers, and some have specialists to educate golfers on such matters as golf rules and etiquette. Most Las Vegas golf stores come with a section devoted exclusively to clear the doubts of all levels of golfers ranging from beginners to professionals.

Golf stores stock merchandise and provide equipment like golf carts, shoes, and trolleys. Golf accessories as well as golf apparel are available at discount rates. There are a number of stores in Las Vegas selling used golf equipment. The prices of used golf items are exceptionally low, and Las Vegas golf stores make it available through auction, consignment, or typical retail operations. Most of the Las Vegas golf stores have sites on the web to facilitate buying and selling of used golf equipment.

Aztek Custom Golf, Zion Golf, and Vegas Golf are some of the prominent golf stores in Las Vegas. Major golf clubs with pro shops in Las Vegas are Craig Golf Course, Las Vegas National Golf Club, Siena Golf Club, Sunrise Vista Golf Club, and Tuscany Golf Club. Additionally, Las Vegas golf stores, such as Nevada Bob's Golf, Inc., boasts facilities including Golf-Tek video training system and a full swing golf simulator.

Today, prominent Las Vegas golf stores have facilities for online shopping. In order to shop online, the customers have to supply some information and create an account with the store. Online payment options include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.








Las Vegas Golf provides detailed information on Las Vegas Golf, Las Vegas Golf Courses, Las Vegas Golf Packages, Las Vegas Golf Resorts and more. Las Vegas Golf is affiliated with Best Shows in Las Vegas.


Golf Sense Program

High Conversion Rate : Earn $28.20! The Solution to Playing Best Golf Every Single Game : Brand New! Respected Expert Author : Unique Program With Ebook & MP3's : Affiliates Go To http://golfsenseprogram.com/affiliates.html


Check it out!