If you’re considering investing in one or more golf training aids to improve your game, it’s best to first consult with a professional to help determine which areas of your swing needs the most help. Why is this step important? Simply put, muscle memory. You don’t want to condition yourself into performing certain movements until first making sure it will be beneficial. A golf instructor can help isolate exactly which phases of your swing you may need assistance with and can suggest muscle-strengthening and stretching exercises as well as offer advice about which items are right for you. Your local golf club should be able to recommend licensed, professional instructors.

There are many different training aids on the market and it can be somewhat intimidating when shopping for them, not to mention expensive. That’s why it’s important to prepare ahead of time so you’ll have a general knowledge of which of them are best suited for you, otherwise you’ll have several more pieces of sports equipment in your garage collecting dust.

Some products such as hinged training drivers, irons, chippers and putters can be used indoors which is great for those dreary winter months and will take up very little room. Other products are meant to be set up outdoors such as nets. Putting greens which come in 7’ 9’ and 13’ lengths can easily be set up either inside or outside. Since the game of golf requires physical stamina, endurance and flexibility there are exercise and fitness kits available which will help to condition and strengthen your body and muscle tone. Some items incorporate more than one feature such as the Swingsetter Swing Trainer by David Leadbetter. I happen to think the Speed Stik with speed gauge is an amazing tool that helps to enhance ones performance by giving immediate feedback and it can also be used either indoors or outdoors. Books, manuals and interactive videos can also be practical and informative and they make great gifts if you have a golfer on your list.

Keep in mind that golf training aids are not miracle cures but with consistent practice they can help to produce better results by lowering your handicap, cutting strokes off your score and improving your overall game.

After having said all that, I believe that the most important thing is getting out there in the sunshine and enjoying yourself so have fun and see you on the course!

You can find my reviews of different types of Golf Training Aids including the Swingsetter Swing Trainer By David Leadbetter and the Golf From the Inside Out Training Package at http://golfingfanatic.com

Tags: golf+training+aid, golf, improve+golf+game

A new set of clubs for beginners is really not necessary; in fact the higher end clubs can be a hindrance on your game. 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 are uniquely made out of several different materials, and can vary depending on a user’s 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.

Jimmy Bonner is the author of the best-selling golf ebooks. He can walk you through every single step to cut your handcap, hit ball farther and stop slicing at Advanced Golf Skill www.advancedgolfskills.com.

Practicing your golf game properly is vital to improving. Knowing how to practice increases self-confidence, reduces scores, and lowers golf handicaps. It also increases the fun of playing as you see your scores drop on each round. I consider it so important that I discuss how to practice with all my students during golf lessons.

Unfortunately, some students don’t always follow my advice. They either focus on the wrong things during practice or they practice without purpose. Some students do both, preferring instead to flail away with the driver on a driving range time and time again. When their scores don’t drop as quickly as they’d like, they stop practicing, forfeiting any chance of improving.

You have only so much time to practice, so you must make the most of it. To optimize practice time, try organizing your sessions into a structured program with specific goals clearly in mind. The program needs to focus on fundamentals and address your weaknesses. Developing an organized program speeds learning, maintains focus, and cuts strokes from you golf handicap.

Here’s one organized practice program I suggest in my golf lessons:

Adopt a set of exercises and drills to practice at home. They should concentrate on grooving your fundamentals, like your takeaway or your backswing. My golf tips highlight drills and exercises that fit nicely into a program. The phone book drill, for example, improves your putting stroke:

• Drop two phone books on the floor. Position them far enough apart so your putterhead just squeezes through them. Place a ball between the books, assume your putting posture, and make your stroke. Use the books as a visual guide to match the lengths of your back stroke and forward stroke. This approach ensures a smooth stroke with perfect tempo. You’ll find it difficult to guide your putter between the books unless your stroke follows the intended line. If you strike the side of either phone book, your stroke strayed off-line.

Go to a practice range as often as you can. Split your time between your short game and your long game. If you can’t work on both in one session, try working on the short game in one session and the long game in the next. Your goal might be to perfect your pitching in the first session and to master long distance driving in the next. Also, organize your time within each session. An organized session could look like the following:

• Hit some warm-up shots for five minutes to loosen up your muscles. Start with a short iron, then move to a mid-iron. In my golf lessons I suggest starting with a pitching wedge, then dropping down to a 7-iron, but you can use other clubs as well. Hit several shots with each until you feel comfortable swinging the club.

• Next, spend about 15 minutes or so working on areas of your short game needing improvement, like chipping. Try dividing the time into four 15 minute mini-sessions, with each mini-session devoted to one phase of your short game— pitching, putting, chipping, or bunker play.

Use drills during the 15 minutes that focus on improving weaknesses within that phase of the game. For example, use this drill to practice chipping from the rough shot:

• Place a ball just outside the first cut of rough on the green’s fringe. Make sure the grass is about one to one and one-half inches in length. Instead of hitting the ball, practice just sweeping the tips of the grass. Use a low sweeping motion employing just your arms and shoulders. After ten sweeps, move immediately to the ball and chip it using the same motion. Then move the ball back to higher grass and repeat the sequence.

In the next hourly session try focus on your long game. You can work on hitting your woods and long irons during this session. Spending 5-10 minutes on warm up shots, then 10-15 minutes each on your woods and long irons. Once again, use drills should be designed to improve a specific problem.

Work in some realistic game situations in your practice sessions. For example, try chipping over a wading pool in your backyard to practice hitting over an obstacle on the course. Another good technique is to actually play holes on the driving range. So, let’s say the first hole you’re going to play on Saturday is a 440 yard par four. When practicing during the week or prior to the round, you would actually “play the hole” but starting by hitting your driver, then maybe a 6 or 7 iron for your approach shot and then maybe a small chip in case you missed the green. The more of these you can program into you session, the more you’ll prepare yourself for hitting a shot under the pressure of actual game situation.

This program is just an example of how you can structure your practice. It might not be appropriate for every golfer, but I think you get the idea of how to organize a session or session. Developing an organized program—and following it closely —produces results. The more you work on it, the more you’ll build self-confidence, reduce scores, and slash your golf handicap.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

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We all know that it is considered “bad form” to hit a ball towards another player, but you might be surprised at how many times balls are hit toward the personnel who maintain the course. I hasten to add that the vast majority of these are not hit deliberately–meaning, with the intent to strike anyone–but many maintenance personnel “are” hit each year, and we should do whatever we can to avoid that.

One thing that we should all keep in mind is that it is impossible for all maintenance to be completed before the course opens for the day. The amount of time it takes to cut grass, repair bunkers, etc. simply cannot be completed in the few hours from daybreak to opening time. Therefore, maintenance has to take place while players are on the course. The simple fact is that players and maintenance personnel will meet each other on the course at some time or another.

It’s always to wise to remember that maintenance personnel are usually concentrating on the task they are performing at the time and, therefore, may not even see approaching players. Many times maintenance personnel are using dangerous tools and cutters and any distraction from their work could lead to serious personal injury to them. Because they are often trying to get their work done as quickly as possible to avoid delaying play, it is not possible to ask them to stop their work so the player can play through. Doing this would turn a 2 hour job into an all day chore and is simply not practical.

Many times the course manager will have the maintenance personnel begin work in reverse order. That means they will start the morning on hole 18 and work their way back toward hole number 1. On courses that do this, it is likely that players will meet up with the maintenance crew at some point. When this happens it is more timely and safe if the players pause long enough for the crew to pass. If the crew signals for the players to continue, then players should take their shots and move along as quickly as possible.

A little common sense and courtesy can go a long way in preventing injuries or mishaps to maintenance personnel. All players should be aware of their surroundings and if they see a work crew on the course take the time needed to insure that no one is put into danger. This is especially true when workers are using hand-held cutting tools or mowers. It only takes a second for a worker to maim himself.

In addition to the safety factors, crews can get the work done faster if we let them do it.

Robert Partain has been an avid golfer for over 40 years. He publishes a golf blog that is updated 4 times a week with golf tips, techniques, and information: http://www.golftipscenter.com

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Golf clubs can be expensive, but aside from the cost – you play your best game when using your own set of clubs. When traveling with your golf clubs, you will want to protect them from banging around against other luggage or from rough handling.

Your golf clubs are an investment and you want them safe from damage when traveling!

Here are some tips when traveling with golf clubs:

Protect your clubs by first packing them in a golf travel bag or case. There are plenty of options and many price ranges, so you are sure to find the travel case that is right for you.

There are two types of golf travel cases: soft shell and hard shell. For traveling by air, the hard shell golf case is most recommended. Many airlines will cover damages if your clubs are first packed inside a golf travel hard case (please confirm with your airline first).

Hard shell cases can protect against very demanding environments. Most are made of heavy molded plastic that help protect your clubs against hard drops, throws or harsh banging. The hard travel golf case may cost more than the soft shell choices, however the investment is offset by the level of protection provided to your clubs. If you prefer a hard case that will fit your golf bag inside as well, make sure to read the golf travel case descriptions before making your choice. Not all hard cases are built to fit your golf bag inside.

Golf soft shell travel cases can be a good option provided you pack your clubs well. The level of protection is not as great as the hard shell types, but by packing your clubs carefully and with a few precautions, you can do well with this choice if you plan on traveling by car and handling your own luggage. Also, most soft shell bags do fit your golf bag inside nicely.

To get the most protection for your golf clubs when using a soft shell case, be sure to pack the clubs inside carefully. First keep the clubs in your golf bag, cover the club heads with the golf bag cover (if your bag has one) or wrapped and buffered by some other material (towels or clothing work well) so that the club heads do not bang around loose or against each other inside the travel case.

By taking care to pack your golf clubs in a travel case that can offer protection from the elements and rough handling that can occur during travel, you will be on the right track to keeping your clubs safe from damage and enjoying them while traveling on holiday or golf tour.

You can find plenty of selections of golf travel bags and cases at http://golfingfanatic.com – see our selections of golf items found online.

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Tags: golfing, golf+travel

Custom golf clubs are anything from a single club to a full set of woods, irons and putter which have been custom specified and assembled just for you. They may work for somebody else and other people will probably love your custom built golf clubs, but they are yours.

To make an analogy that most of you will be familiar with we will compare buying a new set of golf clubs to buying a new suit or dress, there are three ways you can go about this;

Option 1 – You go to a clothes shop and browse around until you see something fashionable and then buy it and hope it fits you OK and is comfortable. That is the normal way most people buy their golf clubs.

Option 2 – You can go to the same shops and try a few different designs, maybe even mix and match top and bottom of the outfit, and eventually you will get something that fits OK but you may need to have altered, within the leeway the existing clothing gives on sizes and lengths and quite a lot of people will get a reasonable fit. This is very similar to custom fitting your new golf clubs, you are still limited to the small number of shafts and flexes that that manufacturer provides and most will only extend or reduce by 1/2″ and at the most 2 degrees loft and lie. The shaft flexes will only be those stamped on the side of the shaft and are different for every shaft manufacturer, very rarely are these actually measured and you better match one of the five or six flexes available. For a lot of people that just isn’t enough, and this can still take many weeks.

Option 3 – If you wanted something that would last a long time and fitted really well from day one you would go to a bespoke outfitters, they would take all your measurements, find out exactly what you wanted the item for, how often it would be used, etc. This would cost a relative fortune but gives great results every time. This is the same as custom club building, but the good news is, unlike the clothing market this is normally less expensive, and rarely more expensive, than the first option. So how does that work?

Well, almost all golf club heads, with very few exceptions – if any – are made in the far east, mainly China. We believe that all heads are made there but several of the big manufacturers just will not give a straight answer, try them!

Shafts, the most important part of the club, are made by a very few companies, but normally China, Bangladesh, Japan, etc. None of the big names make their own shafts, the majority fitting True Temper shafts, sometimes branded with their own name but never manufactured by them.

Now when you pick up the magazines or discount shop offers are you looking for what suits you best or, more likely, the same clubs you thought Tiger or Vijay or Ernie or Annika were winning with last weekend?

This is a good time to dispel a widely held belief, the only similarity between the clubs you can buy and the clubs winning major pro tournaments is the branding. These pro golfers are paid anything up to seven figure sums of money to use these brands, they and their coaches specify every head, shaft and grip that makes up that set and somebody has to pay for that. So when you buy your set of Z43 Super Pingaway irons you are paying for the components, the plush headquarters and the massive advertising and endorsements that made you notice them in the first place.

A good custom club builder will use components made from at least as good raw materials as the big boys, often from the same factories to produce the heads, they offer the same shafts and grips AND take the same sort of time to analyse your game and physique as those top pros get, but because they don’t pay for the names on their components, that set of clubs, designed just for you, is an affordable possibility.

Again a good clubmaker, and there are bad ones as in any walk of life, will be more concerned about the results of your fitting than you spending money.

There are many ways of fitting but during the fitting ask your clubmaker what they think of your game, does it match with your and your friends impressions of your shot shape and distance or are they just telling you things to make you sepnd money. If it doesn’t meet expectations can they justify their statements without resorting to technobabble?

The best part about about custom building should be when you go back to your clubmaker and tell them “I’ve just shot my lowest ever score” or “I’ve just won my first ever competition” or “I’ve just hit my best ever shot” or, and my favourite, “That’s the most I’ve enjoyed a game of golf for years”.

Please let me have any questions or comments to trevor@1offgolf.co.uk and see how we custom build at http://www.1offgolf.co.uk

Trevor has worked with IT and golf for over 20 years, studying physics to Bsc level, and is a professional clubmaker based in Hinckley, Leicestershire. Check http://www.1offgolf.co.uk/aboutus.html for more information

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