Happy New Year and Best Wishes to all PasturePool Members. Thank you for your support, suggestions, and kind words in 2008. I hope you continue to have fun playing golf in 2009 and beyond.
Here's to the next great round and more great things to come!
Sincerely,
Jonathan
Owner/PasturePool.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Your Golf Ball Is Not Where It Should Be
by Linda Raymond
Lost Ball or Ball out of Bounds; Provisional Ball
"Out of bounds" is defined as ground on which play is prohibited. When defined by white lines, the line itself is out of bounds. When defined by a fence or stakes, the inside edges define the out of bounds lines.
1. If your ball IS out of bounds, you MUST play another ball at the spot from which the original was played, penalty one stroke.
2. If you ball MAY be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, you may play a provisional ball before you go forward to look for the original, provided you announce your intention to do so. If your original ball turns out to be in a water hazard or is found outside a water hazard, you must abandon that provisional ball.
3. If your ball IS lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, add a penalty stroke and play the provisional or, if you did not play a provisional, replay the shot.
4. The provisional ball becomes the ball in play when a stroke is played with the provisional ball from a point where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place.
A ball is out of bounds when the entire ball is out of bounds. You may stand out of bounds to play a ball that is in bounds.
Abnormal Ground Conditions
1. If your ball LIES in casual water, ground under repair or, except in a water hazard, a hole or cast made by a burrowing animal, you may drop without penalty within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole, except: a. in a hazard drop in the nearest position in the hazard which affords maximum relief and is not nearer the hole, or under penalty of one stroke, drop any distance behind the hazard keeping the point where the ball LAY between the you and the hole or, b. On the putting green place in the nearest position which affords maximum relief and is not nearer the hole.
2. If your ball is LOST in such condition (except in a burrowing animal hole in a water hazard) take the same relief based on the point where the ball last CROSSED the margin of the AREA except that if you drop behind the hazard, keep the point where the ball last CROSSED the margin of the hazard between you and the hole.
Enjoy The Outdoors! Have a Wonderful Game!
Linda is an avid Arizona Golfer. She has an internet business selling Golf GPS Caddies at golfgpscaddies.com offering precision gplf GPS devices for your distance on the golf course. You will have more confidence in each club selection and shot. No more Guessing! Know Your Distance. Lower your scores and handicap! http://www.golfgpscaddies.com
Lost Ball or Ball out of Bounds; Provisional Ball
"Out of bounds" is defined as ground on which play is prohibited. When defined by white lines, the line itself is out of bounds. When defined by a fence or stakes, the inside edges define the out of bounds lines.
1. If your ball IS out of bounds, you MUST play another ball at the spot from which the original was played, penalty one stroke.
2. If you ball MAY be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, you may play a provisional ball before you go forward to look for the original, provided you announce your intention to do so. If your original ball turns out to be in a water hazard or is found outside a water hazard, you must abandon that provisional ball.
3. If your ball IS lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, add a penalty stroke and play the provisional or, if you did not play a provisional, replay the shot.
4. The provisional ball becomes the ball in play when a stroke is played with the provisional ball from a point where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place.
A ball is out of bounds when the entire ball is out of bounds. You may stand out of bounds to play a ball that is in bounds.
Abnormal Ground Conditions
1. If your ball LIES in casual water, ground under repair or, except in a water hazard, a hole or cast made by a burrowing animal, you may drop without penalty within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole, except: a. in a hazard drop in the nearest position in the hazard which affords maximum relief and is not nearer the hole, or under penalty of one stroke, drop any distance behind the hazard keeping the point where the ball LAY between the you and the hole or, b. On the putting green place in the nearest position which affords maximum relief and is not nearer the hole.
2. If your ball is LOST in such condition (except in a burrowing animal hole in a water hazard) take the same relief based on the point where the ball last CROSSED the margin of the AREA except that if you drop behind the hazard, keep the point where the ball last CROSSED the margin of the hazard between you and the hole.
Enjoy The Outdoors! Have a Wonderful Game!
Linda is an avid Arizona Golfer. She has an internet business selling Golf GPS Caddies at golfgpscaddies.com offering precision gplf GPS devices for your distance on the golf course. You will have more confidence in each club selection and shot. No more Guessing! Know Your Distance. Lower your scores and handicap! http://www.golfgpscaddies.com
Friday, December 19, 2008
How To Lower Your Handicap Forever
by Ken McCarron
If any one of us had a nickel for each golf product and instructional manual out there...well, you know the rest. There is an absolute ton of information. You can learn about driving the ball farther, hitting the ball straighter, landing the ball softer, or putting the ball into the center of the cup every time. But in the midst of it all, the end goal for any golf instruction is to improve your score and lower your handicap. The guy who drives it 300 yards and shoots 100 doesn't win. The guy who shoots it straight, but only 80 yards at a time doesn't win. The one who wins every single time is the one with the lowest score when the round is over. The question is, how do we accomplish this?
Find a New Swing
In order to really make changes and lower that handicap, you may have to abandon your current swing and try something new. Remember, if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. Now is not the time to be stubborn and hang onto some ridiculous swing that isn't serving your purpose of a lower score. Open your mind. It'll work out in the end.
Keep It Simple
If you're going to be open minded, and aren't opposed to changing things up, a great piece of advice is to keep it simple. Those big, arcing swings that wrap around your head may be great for John Daly or Tiger Woods, but for you and me a shorter backswing is definitely the way to go. Timing, balance, and the ability to put a repeatable swing on the ball is the only way to lower your handicap over the long term and win rounds more often.
Consistency Is the Key
In the end, it all comes down to consistency or lack thereof. It's the main thing that we as amateurs lack, and the one thing that will lower your score on a regular basis. If you can find a swing system that is easy to implement and easy to repeat...now you're really on your way!
If you're interested in a more complete swing system that guarantees it'll knock 7-12 strokes off your score in a couple weeks, go take a look here... http://masteryourswing.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_McCarron
If any one of us had a nickel for each golf product and instructional manual out there...well, you know the rest. There is an absolute ton of information. You can learn about driving the ball farther, hitting the ball straighter, landing the ball softer, or putting the ball into the center of the cup every time. But in the midst of it all, the end goal for any golf instruction is to improve your score and lower your handicap. The guy who drives it 300 yards and shoots 100 doesn't win. The guy who shoots it straight, but only 80 yards at a time doesn't win. The one who wins every single time is the one with the lowest score when the round is over. The question is, how do we accomplish this?
Find a New Swing
In order to really make changes and lower that handicap, you may have to abandon your current swing and try something new. Remember, if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. Now is not the time to be stubborn and hang onto some ridiculous swing that isn't serving your purpose of a lower score. Open your mind. It'll work out in the end.
Keep It Simple
If you're going to be open minded, and aren't opposed to changing things up, a great piece of advice is to keep it simple. Those big, arcing swings that wrap around your head may be great for John Daly or Tiger Woods, but for you and me a shorter backswing is definitely the way to go. Timing, balance, and the ability to put a repeatable swing on the ball is the only way to lower your handicap over the long term and win rounds more often.
Consistency Is the Key
In the end, it all comes down to consistency or lack thereof. It's the main thing that we as amateurs lack, and the one thing that will lower your score on a regular basis. If you can find a swing system that is easy to implement and easy to repeat...now you're really on your way!
If you're interested in a more complete swing system that guarantees it'll knock 7-12 strokes off your score in a couple weeks, go take a look here... http://masteryourswing.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_McCarron
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Enhancements Update-12/07/2008
Please visit our enhancements page for updates on the latest site features.
http://pasturepoolenhancements.blogspot.com/
http://pasturepoolenhancements.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Deep Discounts on Golf Equipment-11/25/08
A Huge Selection of Golf Equipment at Amazing Prices! Just in time for the holidays, be sure to visit the PasturePool Golf Shop. Powered by Amazon.com, you know you can trust the ordering process and also find the best deals.
Go Shop
or copy and paste this URL into your browser:
http://www.pasturepool.com/marketplace/markethome.php
Go Shop
or copy and paste this URL into your browser:
http://www.pasturepool.com/marketplace/markethome.php
Friday, November 21, 2008
Walk Your Way To A Better Golf Game-11/21/08
by Robert Partain
One of the best golfing tips I ever received came from my wife (of all people). For years she had been urging me to get more excercise than what I was normally getting through work and weekend golf. And for years, I had been brushing her off with every excuse imaginable. Not enough time, too cold outside, do it tomorrow, etc, etc, etc.
My wife, being the cagey woman she is, had a brainstorm and she shared it with me. . . and I'll share it with you.
If you're like me, you probably have a local country club where you play more often than not. For years, I'd been playing at this same club and listening to my buddies say, "What's on the other side of those trees?" or "What's around that dogleg?" Occasionally, I'd have to ask myself those same questions, which one might consider odd. Having spent so many hours on this course, one might assume I should know it like the back of my hand.
Truth is, I didn't know it very well at all. But I do now, and I owe this new-found knowledge to to my good wife.
Her suggestions was simple--and rewarding. Rather walk around the neighborhood (and have to listen to me grumble) she suggested we go to the club and walk a few holes each night. We'd do this in the evening when there were fewer players out and about. We'd pick three holes to walk, a different set each night, and as we walked I'd "look" at the hole's layout.
It's remarkable how much of the geography of a hole you miss when you're concentrating on playing that hole. Concentration is a good thing, don't get me wrong on that, but simply walking the hole, with no purpose other than being there, allows you to see just about everything there is to see on that particular hole. Also, when you're walking in the late day, you aren't being pushed by the group behind you. You can take your time, walk at your own comfortable pace, and take in the scenery, one step at a time.
A really great idea is to grab a score card and jot down notes as you go along. If you're into it, you can pace off distances, make little notes on how the ground rolls, or keep a note on just about anything for that matter.
After a few weeks of this, and a few times around all the holes at your course, you WILL know your course like the back of your hand, and your buddies will be amazed at how much better you are playing.
On top of that, you get some very good low-impact exercise.
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.
One of the best golfing tips I ever received came from my wife (of all people). For years she had been urging me to get more excercise than what I was normally getting through work and weekend golf. And for years, I had been brushing her off with every excuse imaginable. Not enough time, too cold outside, do it tomorrow, etc, etc, etc.
My wife, being the cagey woman she is, had a brainstorm and she shared it with me. . . and I'll share it with you.
If you're like me, you probably have a local country club where you play more often than not. For years, I'd been playing at this same club and listening to my buddies say, "What's on the other side of those trees?" or "What's around that dogleg?" Occasionally, I'd have to ask myself those same questions, which one might consider odd. Having spent so many hours on this course, one might assume I should know it like the back of my hand.
Truth is, I didn't know it very well at all. But I do now, and I owe this new-found knowledge to to my good wife.
Her suggestions was simple--and rewarding. Rather walk around the neighborhood (and have to listen to me grumble) she suggested we go to the club and walk a few holes each night. We'd do this in the evening when there were fewer players out and about. We'd pick three holes to walk, a different set each night, and as we walked I'd "look" at the hole's layout.
It's remarkable how much of the geography of a hole you miss when you're concentrating on playing that hole. Concentration is a good thing, don't get me wrong on that, but simply walking the hole, with no purpose other than being there, allows you to see just about everything there is to see on that particular hole. Also, when you're walking in the late day, you aren't being pushed by the group behind you. You can take your time, walk at your own comfortable pace, and take in the scenery, one step at a time.
A really great idea is to grab a score card and jot down notes as you go along. If you're into it, you can pace off distances, make little notes on how the ground rolls, or keep a note on just about anything for that matter.
After a few weeks of this, and a few times around all the holes at your course, you WILL know your course like the back of your hand, and your buddies will be amazed at how much better you are playing.
On top of that, you get some very good low-impact exercise.
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.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Flexibility, Strength and the Golf Swing-11/09/08
by John Hinds
Consistency is a universal goal in the game of golf. One sure way to improve your scores is to develop a consistent and repeatable swing. Lessons, practice, more lessons and more practice will certainly help develop a more consistent and reliable swing but you also need ample flexibility and strength. Flexibility and strength work together to develop a more consistent and reliable swing by promoting a more efficient, stable, balanced and coordinated swing. Adequate flexibility and strength will enable you to take full advantage of your lessons, your time spent on the range and help reduce the risk of injury.
Flexibility
Although golf is a sport that is generally not considered strenuous, a minimum range of motion or flexibility is necessary. Adequate flexibility promotes an efficient swing by reducing stress on the many muscles, connective tissue and joints involved including those of the neck and back, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands as well as the hips and knees. Restriction among any of these ‘links’ that make up the ‘kinetic chain’ that is our body promotes compensation. Compensation puts stress on areas above and below the area of restriction and eventually causes injury. For example, restricted shoulder motion causes excessive spinal rotation and can lead to injuries in the back and shoulder and visa versa. Restricted movement also promotes inconsistencies in our swing which may manifest themselves as slices, hooks, fat shots, thin shots, etc. Adequate flexibility results in a more efficient golf swing.
Strength
Strength is important to the golfer for many reasons: yes, strong muscles, tendons, and ligaments help keep us injury free by improving our body’s ability to absorb and distribute the stress of the golf swing. But strength training also provides stability and improves our coordination. Strength in our legs, hips, back, shoulders and arms, which make up the links that connect our kinetic chain, provides a stable base of support for each succeeding link to work off. This allows the forces we generate throughout the golf swing to be transferred through each link to the club head and golf ball in a more efficient and coordinated manner. Improved efficiency yields greater power with less effort and less stress on the body. Core strength (strength in our trunk and hips) is important because it provides the foundation for the extremities to move on. The more stable and efficient our trunk and hips, the more efficient our extremities are. It doesn’t matter how fast you can swing a golf club if the foundation on which you are swinging is not stable enough to control the path of the golf club.
Posture
Strength also provides the ability to maintain proper posture and spinal alignment. The ability to maintain your posture throughout the swing is one of the keys to a more consistent and repeatable swing. Postural strength and stability, combined with leg, hip and trunk strength, allows for a more reliable axis of rotation throughout the golf swing which allows for more precise coordination of the legs and arms with our core. Good posture is also less stressful on your spine and back muscles. The inability to maintain your address posture throughout the swing will result in fat shots, thin shots, slices, hooks, pushes and pulls and possible injury.
Balance
With club head speeds averaging 70-110 mph, the golf swing is a very dynamic movement. Good balance promotes crisp ball contact by preventing excessive movement such as hip slide or sway. In order to be most efficient and successful, to be more consistent and accurate, we need to maintain our balance throughout the swing. Adequate flexibility and proper strength training that includes balance training will contribute to a more balanced swing.
Endurance
Strength training also improves our muscular endurance which delays the onset of fatigue. Fatigue will cause a breakdown in one or more links within the chain and can lead to any number of faults such as loss of posture, balance, coordination and timing, which is not conducive to an efficient or reliable swing. Fatigue also leaves us more vulnerable to injury.
Injury prevention
All of the above reduces the risk of injury and promotes an efficient, more reliable and well coordinated golf swing. Of the hundreds of training devices on the market today, not one is more effective at improving your ability to play the game of golf better than your own body. It’s never too late to start a flexibility and strength training program.
John Hinds is a golfer and licensed Physical Therapist specializing in Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation, Conditioning and Injury Prevention. He is the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Men’s Golf Team at El Camino College and currently owns and operates JMHinds Physical Therapy in El Segundo, California (www.golfconditioningpt.com).
More Articles
RSS
Article Library
Consistency is a universal goal in the game of golf. One sure way to improve your scores is to develop a consistent and repeatable swing. Lessons, practice, more lessons and more practice will certainly help develop a more consistent and reliable swing but you also need ample flexibility and strength. Flexibility and strength work together to develop a more consistent and reliable swing by promoting a more efficient, stable, balanced and coordinated swing. Adequate flexibility and strength will enable you to take full advantage of your lessons, your time spent on the range and help reduce the risk of injury.
Flexibility
Although golf is a sport that is generally not considered strenuous, a minimum range of motion or flexibility is necessary. Adequate flexibility promotes an efficient swing by reducing stress on the many muscles, connective tissue and joints involved including those of the neck and back, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands as well as the hips and knees. Restriction among any of these ‘links’ that make up the ‘kinetic chain’ that is our body promotes compensation. Compensation puts stress on areas above and below the area of restriction and eventually causes injury. For example, restricted shoulder motion causes excessive spinal rotation and can lead to injuries in the back and shoulder and visa versa. Restricted movement also promotes inconsistencies in our swing which may manifest themselves as slices, hooks, fat shots, thin shots, etc. Adequate flexibility results in a more efficient golf swing.
Strength
Strength is important to the golfer for many reasons: yes, strong muscles, tendons, and ligaments help keep us injury free by improving our body’s ability to absorb and distribute the stress of the golf swing. But strength training also provides stability and improves our coordination. Strength in our legs, hips, back, shoulders and arms, which make up the links that connect our kinetic chain, provides a stable base of support for each succeeding link to work off. This allows the forces we generate throughout the golf swing to be transferred through each link to the club head and golf ball in a more efficient and coordinated manner. Improved efficiency yields greater power with less effort and less stress on the body. Core strength (strength in our trunk and hips) is important because it provides the foundation for the extremities to move on. The more stable and efficient our trunk and hips, the more efficient our extremities are. It doesn’t matter how fast you can swing a golf club if the foundation on which you are swinging is not stable enough to control the path of the golf club.
Posture
Strength also provides the ability to maintain proper posture and spinal alignment. The ability to maintain your posture throughout the swing is one of the keys to a more consistent and repeatable swing. Postural strength and stability, combined with leg, hip and trunk strength, allows for a more reliable axis of rotation throughout the golf swing which allows for more precise coordination of the legs and arms with our core. Good posture is also less stressful on your spine and back muscles. The inability to maintain your address posture throughout the swing will result in fat shots, thin shots, slices, hooks, pushes and pulls and possible injury.
Balance
With club head speeds averaging 70-110 mph, the golf swing is a very dynamic movement. Good balance promotes crisp ball contact by preventing excessive movement such as hip slide or sway. In order to be most efficient and successful, to be more consistent and accurate, we need to maintain our balance throughout the swing. Adequate flexibility and proper strength training that includes balance training will contribute to a more balanced swing.
Endurance
Strength training also improves our muscular endurance which delays the onset of fatigue. Fatigue will cause a breakdown in one or more links within the chain and can lead to any number of faults such as loss of posture, balance, coordination and timing, which is not conducive to an efficient or reliable swing. Fatigue also leaves us more vulnerable to injury.
Injury prevention
All of the above reduces the risk of injury and promotes an efficient, more reliable and well coordinated golf swing. Of the hundreds of training devices on the market today, not one is more effective at improving your ability to play the game of golf better than your own body. It’s never too late to start a flexibility and strength training program.
John Hinds is a golfer and licensed Physical Therapist specializing in Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation, Conditioning and Injury Prevention. He is the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Men’s Golf Team at El Camino College and currently owns and operates JMHinds Physical Therapy in El Segundo, California (www.golfconditioningpt.com).
More Articles
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Article Library
Friday, October 31, 2008
Welcome Myrtle Beach Golf - New Partner
We are please to introduce a new partner to pasturepool.com.
Myrtle Beach Golf
http://www.northmyrtlebeachgolf.com/
With over 100 Championship Golf Courses, fantastic weather, a Vegas-style nightlife, the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, and many luxury resorts to choose from that are second to none, Myrtle Beach offers more than any other location for the avid golfer. Over 1000 great restaurants, 8 live theatres, and fantastic shopping complexes make it a vacation paradise for the whole family.
Myrtle Beach Golf
http://www.northmyrtlebeachgolf.com/
With over 100 Championship Golf Courses, fantastic weather, a Vegas-style nightlife, the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, and many luxury resorts to choose from that are second to none, Myrtle Beach offers more than any other location for the avid golfer. Over 1000 great restaurants, 8 live theatres, and fantastic shopping complexes make it a vacation paradise for the whole family.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Earn Money for Your Club, League, or Organization-10/12/08
We are excited to announce an opportunity for members to share the best golf scoring software with their clubs, organizations, or friends.
Earn up to 30% per sale made from your website, local club, or organization while helping people lower their golf scores. All of this at no cost to you.
How it Works - direct new members to PasturePool through any number of sources (web, text links, sign-up forms) and earn up to 30% commission when they become a paid member of PasturePool Golf.
Learn more by visiting PasturePool:
http://www.pasturepool.com/clubs/golf-club-request.php
Earn up to 30% per sale made from your website, local club, or organization while helping people lower their golf scores. All of this at no cost to you.
How it Works - direct new members to PasturePool through any number of sources (web, text links, sign-up forms) and earn up to 30% commission when they become a paid member of PasturePool Golf.
Learn more by visiting PasturePool:
http://www.pasturepool.com/clubs/golf-club-request.php
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Teebox Pressure - 09/13/08
by David Keegan
If you’ve played golf for any length of time, you have undoubtedly encountered a situation or two which made you nervous. This phenomena is called ‘tee box pressure’, or TBP for short.
Perhaps it’s happened when you were getting ready to hit your tee shot off #1 with a dozen people watching. Maybe it was when you were paired with the top golfer in your club championship. Whatever the situation, one thing is sure: every golfer will find themselves dealing with TBP sooner or later!
WHY THE NERVES?
What is it about golf that gets us feeling this way in the first place? After all, when you step onto the golf course, there usually aren’t any lives at stake. In addition, whether you perform well or not on any given day, there are a billion people in China who will not care!
This is a complicated question which will have different answers for different people. Often times, we have too much of our egos wrapped up in the game. The more we invest in something (and we all know that golf can be all-consuming), the more we expect in return. When the ‘game is on’, we fear failure. With this fear in our mind, our muscles tighten. This, in turn, makes it harder to have the free-flowing swing and effective touch game that is needed to score well.
Here are a few tips which will help you the next time you are getting ready to play a pressure round.
1. PREPARE MENTALLY
During the days leading up to the big game, prepare yourself mentally for the atmosphere you will be facing. You know you are going to be nervous. Being nervous, however, does not mean you cannot hit good golf shots. Think of all the times you have hit good shots under pressure before.
Picture yourself dealing with various situations that will occur during the upcoming round. Think of the feeling as you prepare to hit your first tee shot. Your heart is beating out of control. Then, you swing under control, in good tempo, and strike a solid one right down the middle of the fairway.
Next, imagine hitting one into trouble. You’re confronted with the options and weigh the risks of punching a miracle shot through the trees. Instead, you calm yourself and ‘take your medicine’ by chipping back out to the fairway. This type of clear thinking will help you to avoid those double and triple bogeys which ruin rounds.
2. CONSERVATIVE STRATEGY – CONFIDENT SWING
The term ‘choke’ is applied to people who don’t perform well under pressure. Who can forget poor Greg Norman losing that 6-shot lead to Nick Faldo at the Masters tournament? The main reason people choke is simply because their thought processes become illogical. They start thinking negatively as if they have never hit a solid golf shot. Or, they start to take unnecessary chances and over-swing in the process.
Before the round, make up your mind that you will not beat yourself. Let the other players beat you. Hit shots that you know you can hit. One top amateur player used this strategy in the Minnesota State Amateur qualifying round at the Lake City Golf Club. He wasn’t playing very well on the front nine and was tempted several times to ‘go for broke’. On the eighth hole, a par five, his second shot left him about 110 yards out in some gnarly rough. He had a good angle at the pin, but if the shot went long, it was obviously going down an embankment leading to a difficult chip with little green to work with. However, he felt like he needed a ‘make something happen’. So, he debated whether to try to finesse a full wedge, or to take a full swing with his gap wedge. He had more confidence in the gap wedge because he knew this club would never put him in the big trouble which was over the green. He selected the gap wedge (conservative strategy) and made a confident swing which left the ball 30 feet below the hole. He two-putted and took his par.
This strategy paid off as he made birdie on the next hole. All of a sudden, his marginal round was heading in the right direction! This may not have been possible if he had taken the aggressive route on the previous hole and gone over the green.
3. LET GO OF THE HANDLE BARS!
A player recently quipped, “You’ve got to let go of the handle bars!” How descriptive of the golfer who, when under pressure, holds onto the club as if it had “handle bars”. Unlike riding a bicycle, holding onto the handle bars is a bad thing in golf!
In other words, you’ve got to let the club swing to be effective. Holding on and trying to steer the ball down the fairway will produce less distance and less accuracy. A golfer has to feel like they are ‘giving up control’ of the swing. In other words, the golfer must trust that what he has trained will work when the pressure is on. This is called ‘muscle memory’.
Giving up control gets progressively harder as the round progresses. The tendency is to start counting your score as you try to figure out how you’re faring compared to everyone else. You must counteract that tendency by consciously trying to swing looser and freer as the round goes on. Stay focused on what you’re trying to do – forget about everyone else. You can’t control them anyway.
Keep the game simple. Pick your target, go through your pre-shot routine and let your swing go! Stay within yourself and you won’t be a victim of that TBP!
Dave Keegan’s ‘Push Button Income’ web site at http://www.dkeeganonline.com offers resources to help you build a successful internet business. While visiting, don’t forget to sign up for his *free* 5-part newsletter entitled ‘Online Advertising for the Completely Clueless’.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Keegan
If you’ve played golf for any length of time, you have undoubtedly encountered a situation or two which made you nervous. This phenomena is called ‘tee box pressure’, or TBP for short.
Perhaps it’s happened when you were getting ready to hit your tee shot off #1 with a dozen people watching. Maybe it was when you were paired with the top golfer in your club championship. Whatever the situation, one thing is sure: every golfer will find themselves dealing with TBP sooner or later!
WHY THE NERVES?
What is it about golf that gets us feeling this way in the first place? After all, when you step onto the golf course, there usually aren’t any lives at stake. In addition, whether you perform well or not on any given day, there are a billion people in China who will not care!
This is a complicated question which will have different answers for different people. Often times, we have too much of our egos wrapped up in the game. The more we invest in something (and we all know that golf can be all-consuming), the more we expect in return. When the ‘game is on’, we fear failure. With this fear in our mind, our muscles tighten. This, in turn, makes it harder to have the free-flowing swing and effective touch game that is needed to score well.
Here are a few tips which will help you the next time you are getting ready to play a pressure round.
1. PREPARE MENTALLY
During the days leading up to the big game, prepare yourself mentally for the atmosphere you will be facing. You know you are going to be nervous. Being nervous, however, does not mean you cannot hit good golf shots. Think of all the times you have hit good shots under pressure before.
Picture yourself dealing with various situations that will occur during the upcoming round. Think of the feeling as you prepare to hit your first tee shot. Your heart is beating out of control. Then, you swing under control, in good tempo, and strike a solid one right down the middle of the fairway.
Next, imagine hitting one into trouble. You’re confronted with the options and weigh the risks of punching a miracle shot through the trees. Instead, you calm yourself and ‘take your medicine’ by chipping back out to the fairway. This type of clear thinking will help you to avoid those double and triple bogeys which ruin rounds.
2. CONSERVATIVE STRATEGY – CONFIDENT SWING
The term ‘choke’ is applied to people who don’t perform well under pressure. Who can forget poor Greg Norman losing that 6-shot lead to Nick Faldo at the Masters tournament? The main reason people choke is simply because their thought processes become illogical. They start thinking negatively as if they have never hit a solid golf shot. Or, they start to take unnecessary chances and over-swing in the process.
Before the round, make up your mind that you will not beat yourself. Let the other players beat you. Hit shots that you know you can hit. One top amateur player used this strategy in the Minnesota State Amateur qualifying round at the Lake City Golf Club. He wasn’t playing very well on the front nine and was tempted several times to ‘go for broke’. On the eighth hole, a par five, his second shot left him about 110 yards out in some gnarly rough. He had a good angle at the pin, but if the shot went long, it was obviously going down an embankment leading to a difficult chip with little green to work with. However, he felt like he needed a ‘make something happen’. So, he debated whether to try to finesse a full wedge, or to take a full swing with his gap wedge. He had more confidence in the gap wedge because he knew this club would never put him in the big trouble which was over the green. He selected the gap wedge (conservative strategy) and made a confident swing which left the ball 30 feet below the hole. He two-putted and took his par.
This strategy paid off as he made birdie on the next hole. All of a sudden, his marginal round was heading in the right direction! This may not have been possible if he had taken the aggressive route on the previous hole and gone over the green.
3. LET GO OF THE HANDLE BARS!
A player recently quipped, “You’ve got to let go of the handle bars!” How descriptive of the golfer who, when under pressure, holds onto the club as if it had “handle bars”. Unlike riding a bicycle, holding onto the handle bars is a bad thing in golf!
In other words, you’ve got to let the club swing to be effective. Holding on and trying to steer the ball down the fairway will produce less distance and less accuracy. A golfer has to feel like they are ‘giving up control’ of the swing. In other words, the golfer must trust that what he has trained will work when the pressure is on. This is called ‘muscle memory’.
Giving up control gets progressively harder as the round progresses. The tendency is to start counting your score as you try to figure out how you’re faring compared to everyone else. You must counteract that tendency by consciously trying to swing looser and freer as the round goes on. Stay focused on what you’re trying to do – forget about everyone else. You can’t control them anyway.
Keep the game simple. Pick your target, go through your pre-shot routine and let your swing go! Stay within yourself and you won’t be a victim of that TBP!
Dave Keegan’s ‘Push Button Income’ web site at http://www.dkeeganonline.com offers resources to help you build a successful internet business. While visiting, don’t forget to sign up for his *free* 5-part newsletter entitled ‘Online Advertising for the Completely Clueless’.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Keegan
Friday, August 29, 2008
Golf Swing Drills to Help Develop the Perfect Golf Swing - 8/29/08
by Ryan Marx
There are some golf swing drills to help develop the perfect golf swing. If you are struggling to get your golf swing down; then you have come to the right place. We are going to discuss some of the golf swing drills to help develop the perfect golf swing.
However I highly recommend if you are struggling in the game and have tried all kinds of tutorials and reading books on how to properly swing the golf club; then you may want to consider hiring a golf pro to help you improve your game. They may be able to help you with perfect golf swing drills, so that you will be more confident when you are playing your next game.
You can easily do these drills from the comfort in your home; however you may want to step out in the back yard otherwise you may break something.
The perfect golf swing starts with the proper back swing with the golf club swung right back to the limit of your body. When you reach this segment of the golf swing drill, learn how to focus your mind on the rotation of your body and the arm extension; your mind will always be one step ahead of the club.
The next step is the drill is going to move down to the actual swing, which will start at the lower part of the body, which will include your legs and hips. You will want to focus on how you transfer you weight. Instead of transferring the weight from the front to the back; focus on transferring the weight from the back to the front of the knees, thighs, and hips will all be moving forward.
Be Light On Your Feet: A sure way to improve your golf swing is to move your weight through the golf ball. The basic principle to hit long and hard lies in reverse weight shift. You must not sway but turn in such a way that your back foot's spikes are in plain view.
You will want to end the perfect golf swing with the body weight on the outside of the front heel and the inside of the rear foot.
Of course you are going to have to pay attention to the form of your body and will take a lot of practice. You may even have to change your current form; because most likely you have picked up some bad habits, otherwise you would not be looking up information on how to improve your golf swing.
You will have to retrain your mind and muscles to work in this motion. However if you are willing to put in the right amount of practice you can improve your game.
If you found this article on "golf swing drills to help develop the perfect golf swing" helpful; visit our site below. It is filled with useful information on how to improve your overall game! You will be amazed how quickly you can get better and become the envy of all your golf buddies.
Sign up for your FREE tips that GUARANTEE You'll Lengthen your Drive and Cut your Handicap by 7-12 Strokes in Just Two weeks.
Receive a Special Trial to our Brand New Apprentice Program!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Marx
There are some golf swing drills to help develop the perfect golf swing. If you are struggling to get your golf swing down; then you have come to the right place. We are going to discuss some of the golf swing drills to help develop the perfect golf swing.
However I highly recommend if you are struggling in the game and have tried all kinds of tutorials and reading books on how to properly swing the golf club; then you may want to consider hiring a golf pro to help you improve your game. They may be able to help you with perfect golf swing drills, so that you will be more confident when you are playing your next game.
You can easily do these drills from the comfort in your home; however you may want to step out in the back yard otherwise you may break something.
The perfect golf swing starts with the proper back swing with the golf club swung right back to the limit of your body. When you reach this segment of the golf swing drill, learn how to focus your mind on the rotation of your body and the arm extension; your mind will always be one step ahead of the club.
The next step is the drill is going to move down to the actual swing, which will start at the lower part of the body, which will include your legs and hips. You will want to focus on how you transfer you weight. Instead of transferring the weight from the front to the back; focus on transferring the weight from the back to the front of the knees, thighs, and hips will all be moving forward.
Be Light On Your Feet: A sure way to improve your golf swing is to move your weight through the golf ball. The basic principle to hit long and hard lies in reverse weight shift. You must not sway but turn in such a way that your back foot's spikes are in plain view.
You will want to end the perfect golf swing with the body weight on the outside of the front heel and the inside of the rear foot.
Of course you are going to have to pay attention to the form of your body and will take a lot of practice. You may even have to change your current form; because most likely you have picked up some bad habits, otherwise you would not be looking up information on how to improve your golf swing.
You will have to retrain your mind and muscles to work in this motion. However if you are willing to put in the right amount of practice you can improve your game.
If you found this article on "golf swing drills to help develop the perfect golf swing" helpful; visit our site below. It is filled with useful information on how to improve your overall game! You will be amazed how quickly you can get better and become the envy of all your golf buddies.
Sign up for your FREE tips that GUARANTEE You'll Lengthen your Drive and Cut your Handicap by 7-12 Strokes in Just Two weeks.
Receive a Special Trial to our Brand New Apprentice Program!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Marx
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tips For Teeing Off- 8/22/08
by Robert Partain
Here's a driving tip that just about anyone could use and put into practice immediately. It has nothing to do with your swing mechanics, your club selection or even your mood. It has to do with geography and your own style of play (ie, do you normally fade or draw).
It's rare to come across a course that is all flat or all straight. Courses are laid out with turns and hills and hazards, which makes the game what it is. A key to solid play is to use that geography to your advantage while teeing off.
This tip begins even before you step up on the tee. As you're walking toward that tee, look ahead and get a sense of the layout of the hole. Is it straight, is it a dogleg? Once you determine how the hole is laid out, look for that far away spot that you realisitically feel your tee shot can travel. In other words, where do you want the ball to land?
When it's your turn to tee up, keep in mind that you do not have to place your tee in the center of the tee markers. You are allowed to use whatever room there is there and it's important that you do this.
If you watch the pros, you'll see they take the time to survey the hole and the teeing area. They will "see" where they want their ball to land on the fairway, and then they will tee up in an area that will help them reach that target using their natural swing and ball path.
Say, for example, that your natural golf shot is a fade. On most holes you should tee the ball up on the right side of the tee box, fairly close to the right side tee marker. If you then aim at the the left side of the fairway your fade will bring the ball to the middle of the fairway. If for some reason you hit the ball straight, you will finish on the left hand edge of the fairway. If, however, your fade turns into a slice you should still end up on the right edge of the fairway. Either way, you should still have a shot to the green.
Having that shot to the green, no matter how your ball flies, is crucial to lowering your score, hole by hole. In fact, this one little tip when used properly can shave as many a 8 or 9 strokes off the average player's score (on 18 holes).
As with everything in golf, this takes a little getting used to, but it's certainly worth the effort. It will also give you an enormous boost to your confidence when you play a new course for the first time as this tip works everywhere.
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: Golf Tips Center.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Partain
Here's a driving tip that just about anyone could use and put into practice immediately. It has nothing to do with your swing mechanics, your club selection or even your mood. It has to do with geography and your own style of play (ie, do you normally fade or draw).
It's rare to come across a course that is all flat or all straight. Courses are laid out with turns and hills and hazards, which makes the game what it is. A key to solid play is to use that geography to your advantage while teeing off.
This tip begins even before you step up on the tee. As you're walking toward that tee, look ahead and get a sense of the layout of the hole. Is it straight, is it a dogleg? Once you determine how the hole is laid out, look for that far away spot that you realisitically feel your tee shot can travel. In other words, where do you want the ball to land?
When it's your turn to tee up, keep in mind that you do not have to place your tee in the center of the tee markers. You are allowed to use whatever room there is there and it's important that you do this.
If you watch the pros, you'll see they take the time to survey the hole and the teeing area. They will "see" where they want their ball to land on the fairway, and then they will tee up in an area that will help them reach that target using their natural swing and ball path.
Say, for example, that your natural golf shot is a fade. On most holes you should tee the ball up on the right side of the tee box, fairly close to the right side tee marker. If you then aim at the the left side of the fairway your fade will bring the ball to the middle of the fairway. If for some reason you hit the ball straight, you will finish on the left hand edge of the fairway. If, however, your fade turns into a slice you should still end up on the right edge of the fairway. Either way, you should still have a shot to the green.
Having that shot to the green, no matter how your ball flies, is crucial to lowering your score, hole by hole. In fact, this one little tip when used properly can shave as many a 8 or 9 strokes off the average player's score (on 18 holes).
As with everything in golf, this takes a little getting used to, but it's certainly worth the effort. It will also give you an enormous boost to your confidence when you play a new course for the first time as this tip works everywhere.
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: Golf Tips Center.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Partain
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
PasturePool Golf Now Available on iTunes - 8/19/08
PasturePool Golf software is now available on iTunes. Our software version integrates both offline and online capabilities allowing you to score rounds regardless of cell or wireless coverage. Spend more time playing golf!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Get More Distance with your Driver - 8/15/08
by Adam Woodham
If you want to get more distance with your driver, the web is a great place to find information. The problem is that there is a ton of it and there and you cant; tell which ones are dud and which tips and sites have actually worked for others. Many people will blindly try random tips they find through search engines, but this rarely works. Here is a better idea for locating the tried and true ways to get more distance with your driver.
It's going to sound so simple and that's because it really is. Think about this: Wouldn't it be much more beneficial if you could locate the people who were able to successfully add yards and see exactly how they did it? It sure would and it makes more sense than just going onto the course and hacking away, in hopes that something you do does the job.
To find this information, all you have to do is take some time to look through the various golfing forums across the web. They are filled with ways to get more distance with your driver. They aren't just random tips, though, because a lot of the info is going to come from long time veterans who have already accomplished it. You can read their stories, tips, techniques, links to the things they used and so much more. If you want to get more distance with your driver, there aren't many better starting points than golfing forums. You can even start a bunch of your own topics if you need to ask any questions.
It's a simple way to find the tried and true ways to get more distance with your driver and take a lot of the guess work out of the equation.
You can also find the revolutionary, most original tutorial/guide which includes step-by-step ways to get more distance with your driver right here...
Adam Woodham is the author of this article and runs the informative golf blog Online Golf Tips, which features a personal review of the true leader in learning how to perfect your golf game. Learning to golf like a pro and hit like a champ has never been easier.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Woodham
If you want to get more distance with your driver, the web is a great place to find information. The problem is that there is a ton of it and there and you cant; tell which ones are dud and which tips and sites have actually worked for others. Many people will blindly try random tips they find through search engines, but this rarely works. Here is a better idea for locating the tried and true ways to get more distance with your driver.
It's going to sound so simple and that's because it really is. Think about this: Wouldn't it be much more beneficial if you could locate the people who were able to successfully add yards and see exactly how they did it? It sure would and it makes more sense than just going onto the course and hacking away, in hopes that something you do does the job.
To find this information, all you have to do is take some time to look through the various golfing forums across the web. They are filled with ways to get more distance with your driver. They aren't just random tips, though, because a lot of the info is going to come from long time veterans who have already accomplished it. You can read their stories, tips, techniques, links to the things they used and so much more. If you want to get more distance with your driver, there aren't many better starting points than golfing forums. You can even start a bunch of your own topics if you need to ask any questions.
It's a simple way to find the tried and true ways to get more distance with your driver and take a lot of the guess work out of the equation.
You can also find the revolutionary, most original tutorial/guide which includes step-by-step ways to get more distance with your driver right here...
Adam Woodham is the author of this article and runs the informative golf blog Online Golf Tips, which features a personal review of the true leader in learning how to perfect your golf game. Learning to golf like a pro and hit like a champ has never been easier.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Woodham
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Handicap Index(N) - 8/10/08
For those golfers posting 9 hole rounds, PasturePool now provides a Handicap Index(N). This is currently available on our WebSite version only.
Golf clubs compute a Handicap Index (N) by applying nine-hole adjusted gross scores to the USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating of the nine holes played to determine Handicap Differentials.
Note: Players with a Handicap Index (N) who play an 18-hole round, must post two nine-hole scores to their scoring record (N).
Example: For a nine-hole adjusted gross score of 45 with a nine-hole USGA Course Rating of 36.2 and a Slope Rating of 121, the nine-hole Handicap Differential is (45 - 36.2) x 113 / 121 = 8.2. If the average of the best ten nine-hole Handicap Differentials is 8.9, then the Handicap Index (N) is 8.9 x .96 = 8.5. It is posted as "8.5N.
Golf clubs compute a Handicap Index (N) by applying nine-hole adjusted gross scores to the USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating of the nine holes played to determine Handicap Differentials.
Note: Players with a Handicap Index (N) who play an 18-hole round, must post two nine-hole scores to their scoring record (N).
Example: For a nine-hole adjusted gross score of 45 with a nine-hole USGA Course Rating of 36.2 and a Slope Rating of 121, the nine-hole Handicap Differential is (45 - 36.2) x 113 / 121 = 8.2. If the average of the best ten nine-hole Handicap Differentials is 8.9, then the Handicap Index (N) is 8.9 x .96 = 8.5. It is posted as "8.5N.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Course Handicap Calculator - 8/9/08
Members now have access to course handicap information two ways:
First
Calculate a course handicap using our new course handicap calculator. The calculator is available on the PasturePool ClubHouse main page and can be accessed by logging into your account from a computer or iPhone.
Second
When viewing course information for a particular course, the course handicap for the course is now available. *Requires a PasturePool online handicap.
First
Calculate a course handicap using our new course handicap calculator. The calculator is available on the PasturePool ClubHouse main page and can be accessed by logging into your account from a computer or iPhone.
Second
When viewing course information for a particular course, the course handicap for the course is now available. *Requires a PasturePool online handicap.
Friday, August 1, 2008
The One Chipping Tip Every Golfer Should Know - 8/1/08
by Robert Partain
Everyone who plays golf has at one time or another faced their own bugaboo type shot. The shot they either fear or wish someone else would play for them. For some people this could be the drive; for others, it might be fairway bunker play or putting.
To each his own. But there is one type of shot that bothers a lot of players, regardless of their experience. And those are the chip shots.
Many people can drive a ball a good distance, putt as if they have radar in their heads, but it's that little peice of real estate close to the green that wonks up their scores on a routine basis. Poor chipping equals much higher scores. It's that simple. And let's face it, there's nothing worse than getting close to the green and watching your chip shot screech across the green, pass the hole and go sliding off the other side. By that same token, a high-flying chip shot that overshoots is just as annoying.
Now I know (as I'm sure you do, too) there are a gazillion tips on proper chipping. Some of these are very good tips and should be followed by just about everyone. Others are, well, less than good. But as with all things golf, do what fits you best and works out for you on the links.
There is, however, one chipping tip that everyone needs to know and understand and practice. And that has to do with your hands on impact.
A major factor in hitting consistent chip shots is for the hands to lead the clubface through impact.
The vast majority of thinned or fluffed chip shots occur when the clubhead overtakes the hands and is, therefore travelling on the upswing, rather that delivering a descending blow at impact.
The first thing to do at set up is to move the majority of your weight onto the left foot. The ball is played towards the back of the stance, and the hands go ahead of the ball. This is vital if your want to control your shots. Setting up your body so your hands can do what they are suppose to do is crucial to getting this right. Do not underestimate the importance of a good, proper stance when preparing to chip.
The chip shot can now be played with the correct downward strike. You should NOT be trying to slide the clubface under the ball, nor should you be trying to scoop the ball into the air.
The key now is to make sure that you keep the hands AHEAD OF THE BALL and not allow your wrists to dominate the shot. Players who get "wristy" at impact run the risk of thinning it clean through the green or chunking it a few inches.
I'll share some more chipping tips with you in the future and you can decide if they work for you or not. But the one chipping tip you should truly consider as being worthwhile, is the one you just read. Keep those hands ahead of the clubface.
Article Source: The One Chipping Tip Every Golfer Should Know
Everyone who plays golf has at one time or another faced their own bugaboo type shot. The shot they either fear or wish someone else would play for them. For some people this could be the drive; for others, it might be fairway bunker play or putting.
To each his own. But there is one type of shot that bothers a lot of players, regardless of their experience. And those are the chip shots.
Many people can drive a ball a good distance, putt as if they have radar in their heads, but it's that little peice of real estate close to the green that wonks up their scores on a routine basis. Poor chipping equals much higher scores. It's that simple. And let's face it, there's nothing worse than getting close to the green and watching your chip shot screech across the green, pass the hole and go sliding off the other side. By that same token, a high-flying chip shot that overshoots is just as annoying.
Now I know (as I'm sure you do, too) there are a gazillion tips on proper chipping. Some of these are very good tips and should be followed by just about everyone. Others are, well, less than good. But as with all things golf, do what fits you best and works out for you on the links.
There is, however, one chipping tip that everyone needs to know and understand and practice. And that has to do with your hands on impact.
A major factor in hitting consistent chip shots is for the hands to lead the clubface through impact.
The vast majority of thinned or fluffed chip shots occur when the clubhead overtakes the hands and is, therefore travelling on the upswing, rather that delivering a descending blow at impact.
The first thing to do at set up is to move the majority of your weight onto the left foot. The ball is played towards the back of the stance, and the hands go ahead of the ball. This is vital if your want to control your shots. Setting up your body so your hands can do what they are suppose to do is crucial to getting this right. Do not underestimate the importance of a good, proper stance when preparing to chip.
The chip shot can now be played with the correct downward strike. You should NOT be trying to slide the clubface under the ball, nor should you be trying to scoop the ball into the air.
The key now is to make sure that you keep the hands AHEAD OF THE BALL and not allow your wrists to dominate the shot. Players who get "wristy" at impact run the risk of thinning it clean through the green or chunking it a few inches.
I'll share some more chipping tips with you in the future and you can decide if they work for you or not. But the one chipping tip you should truly consider as being worthwhile, is the one you just read. Keep those hands ahead of the clubface.
Article Source: The One Chipping Tip Every Golfer Should Know
Friday, July 25, 2008
Play Better Golf and Lower Your Handicap- 7/25/08
by mas wee
Play Better Golf and Lower Your Handicap
Want to play better golf? Here are 5 very easy tips you can do now to play better golf -
1. Although training aids can be tremendously helpful in working out the kinks in your game, the importance of good equipment can?t be underestimated. A good set of golf clubs will help you play your best, but if you can?t afford a new set, you can always opt for brand name pre-owned golf clubs. Used golf clubs often come with a certification and warranty, so you can be assured of their quality.
2. Eat right for fat loss and mental energy. You won?t get tired on the course. For energy try snacking on healthy foods at various points in the day - heck even Tiger Woods snack (but not on junk food).
3. Practice long putts - This is one of the best drills to improve your putting touch, putt balls to the edge of the putting green. Get about 5 balls and start about 30 feet away from the fringe and try to putt the balls as close to the fringe as possible. During this drill don?t worry about direction, only speed. Keep doing this and vary the distance from the fringe.
4. Your Stance - The important point to remember with the stance is to keep your weight balanced and your feet position getting wider up to shoulder width as the club you are using gets longer. So for the driver you will want the most stability thus a wider stance with your legs shoulder width apart is ideal. Also the ball position should start at the center of your stance for a wedge and move up to the heel of your left foot for the driver.
5. Warm up and gently stretch your muscles before starting a round, and it is equally important to cool down properly after your game. Just a few stretches after a round of golf can help reduce the risk of any injuries, particularly to the back and hamstrings. Walking can tighten your hamstrings and that makes them more susceptible to tearing and injury. A good golf swing also requires a lot of back movement and if you haven?t warmed up properly before your first swing, you could do some severe damage.
The tips above are simple but are often overlooked - because there are so simple. If you keep it simple - your game will be much more effectie and consistent. At the end of the day, consistent practice is the key.
If You Had The Chance - Right Now, Today - Would You Trade In One Medium Cheese Pizza For 60 Videos on The (http://www.squidoo.com/howtoimprove-yourgolfswing) Proper Way to Swing a Golf Club Instructions and Get Much Needed (http://www.squidoo.com/howtoimprove-yourgolfswing) Golf Swing Help To Lower Your Handicap By The Next Round?
Article Source: Play Better Golf and Lower Your Handicap
Play Better Golf and Lower Your Handicap
Want to play better golf? Here are 5 very easy tips you can do now to play better golf -
1. Although training aids can be tremendously helpful in working out the kinks in your game, the importance of good equipment can?t be underestimated. A good set of golf clubs will help you play your best, but if you can?t afford a new set, you can always opt for brand name pre-owned golf clubs. Used golf clubs often come with a certification and warranty, so you can be assured of their quality.
2. Eat right for fat loss and mental energy. You won?t get tired on the course. For energy try snacking on healthy foods at various points in the day - heck even Tiger Woods snack (but not on junk food).
3. Practice long putts - This is one of the best drills to improve your putting touch, putt balls to the edge of the putting green. Get about 5 balls and start about 30 feet away from the fringe and try to putt the balls as close to the fringe as possible. During this drill don?t worry about direction, only speed. Keep doing this and vary the distance from the fringe.
4. Your Stance - The important point to remember with the stance is to keep your weight balanced and your feet position getting wider up to shoulder width as the club you are using gets longer. So for the driver you will want the most stability thus a wider stance with your legs shoulder width apart is ideal. Also the ball position should start at the center of your stance for a wedge and move up to the heel of your left foot for the driver.
5. Warm up and gently stretch your muscles before starting a round, and it is equally important to cool down properly after your game. Just a few stretches after a round of golf can help reduce the risk of any injuries, particularly to the back and hamstrings. Walking can tighten your hamstrings and that makes them more susceptible to tearing and injury. A good golf swing also requires a lot of back movement and if you haven?t warmed up properly before your first swing, you could do some severe damage.
The tips above are simple but are often overlooked - because there are so simple. If you keep it simple - your game will be much more effectie and consistent. At the end of the day, consistent practice is the key.
If You Had The Chance - Right Now, Today - Would You Trade In One Medium Cheese Pizza For 60 Videos on The (http://www.squidoo.com/howtoimprove-yourgolfswing) Proper Way to Swing a Golf Club Instructions and Get Much Needed (http://www.squidoo.com/howtoimprove-yourgolfswing) Golf Swing Help To Lower Your Handicap By The Next Round?
Article Source: Play Better Golf and Lower Your Handicap
PasturePool iPhone Software Update - 7/25/08
Just a quick update that we’ve successfully submitted and uploaded the PasturePool Software App to the iTunes Store, and the status message of “In Review” indicates that Apple is conducting their final testing procedures. We have not received an approve date — so it could get approved at any time. Stay tuned....
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Charting Bug Fixed - 7/20/08
We recently fixed a sorting issue with our charts. Prior to the fix, the chart sort order did not take into account users who have scored rounds across multiple years so the order appeared random. This issue is now resolved and displays the order properly.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The 4 Stages of Learning a New Skill - 7/13/08
By Joey Bushnell
Its true what they say, practice really does make perfect. Here's why....
When we initially learn, we input the fresh information into our brain via the conscious mind. We must be consciously aware of the new information in order to understand it and try and make sense of it.
But to get really good at something, you need to bypass conscious thought and be able to perform well an action, without really thinking about it. Introducing the subconscious mind!
Consider driving on approach to a roundabout at speed, without the subconscious mind it would be a very difficult task. You would have to consciously think about applying pressure on the brake pedal with your right foot, putting the clutch down with the left foot, changing gear with your left hand whilst steering with your right, turn your head right to look for oncoming traffic, look with your eyes, listen to the radio in the background and talk to the person in the passenger seat, the whole time constantly breathe and maintain a heartbeat, all in a matter of seconds. If you had to consciously think about all those things at once i'm sure it would end it up in a crash. Yet we do this with relative ease?
This wonderful mechanism, the subconscious mind can multi-task and execute better judgement than when conscious thought is involved. When a footballer scores a wonder goal during a match, in the post match interview, the interviewer may ask 'So what went through your mind when you stuck that ball?' and the footballers response is ' I don't know really, I just struck it sweetly and it ended up in the back of the net!'. The best results are achieved when little conscious effort is made and instinct takes over. It is this automatic function which enables us to attain expert ability. So how do we become great at something we are poor at now, but wish to be better? This transformation is broken down into four stages....
1. Unconscious incompetence - This is when we are still unaware of what we aren't good at yet.
2. Conscious incompetence - At this stage we are aware of what would like to be good at, but still know that we aren't any good at it yet. In comparison with others we feel like we are rubbish at this particular activity.
3. Conscious competence - Now we have reached the level where we are good at the skill, but still have to think consciously about the actions involved to perform at a high standard. If a conscious lapse is made or in other words loss of concentration, mistakes can still be made.
4. Unconscious competence - Your there! It has become so easy and natural. Coordination is smooth and controlled and it all takes place with minimal conscious involvement. Congratulations you have a new talent.
So if these are the four stages, how do you rise from one level to the next? Easy. Practice.
Maybe you were hoping for some spectacular answer, but this is the only real answer there is.
It is both encouraging and disheartening at the same time. Disheartening because it means time and effort will be necessary, comfort zones will have to be stepped out of. Encouraging because anybody who is willing to pay the price, are guaranteed to succeed in the end. You see, the subconscious is a creature of habit. It feeds upon repetition. Your conscious mind acts as a gate keeper, whatever is frequently entering the conscious mind will be embraced by the subconscious mind. Both good and bad habits are formed this way. It is your job to keep vigilant watch that your conscious thoughts are constructive, that they are the only kind you would wish to allow entry into the realm of the subconscious, and in turn, reflected in your outer world and circumstances. If you want to become competent in something all you need do is learn how to do it right, and then repeat that over and over.
Get going! On my wish list is to learn the guitar and piano, several new languages, to speed read, become a better driver and typist, and better at the sports I enjoy. Maybe even one day i'll be able to dance without looking like my Dad at a wedding. I had best get practicing.
All the best, start writing your own wish list today, and follow through until you have many new skills.
Joey Bushnell
Joey Bushnell - http://knowers-ark.com/stagesoflearning.aspx
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joey_Bushnell
Its true what they say, practice really does make perfect. Here's why....
When we initially learn, we input the fresh information into our brain via the conscious mind. We must be consciously aware of the new information in order to understand it and try and make sense of it.
But to get really good at something, you need to bypass conscious thought and be able to perform well an action, without really thinking about it. Introducing the subconscious mind!
Consider driving on approach to a roundabout at speed, without the subconscious mind it would be a very difficult task. You would have to consciously think about applying pressure on the brake pedal with your right foot, putting the clutch down with the left foot, changing gear with your left hand whilst steering with your right, turn your head right to look for oncoming traffic, look with your eyes, listen to the radio in the background and talk to the person in the passenger seat, the whole time constantly breathe and maintain a heartbeat, all in a matter of seconds. If you had to consciously think about all those things at once i'm sure it would end it up in a crash. Yet we do this with relative ease?
This wonderful mechanism, the subconscious mind can multi-task and execute better judgement than when conscious thought is involved. When a footballer scores a wonder goal during a match, in the post match interview, the interviewer may ask 'So what went through your mind when you stuck that ball?' and the footballers response is ' I don't know really, I just struck it sweetly and it ended up in the back of the net!'. The best results are achieved when little conscious effort is made and instinct takes over. It is this automatic function which enables us to attain expert ability. So how do we become great at something we are poor at now, but wish to be better? This transformation is broken down into four stages....
1. Unconscious incompetence - This is when we are still unaware of what we aren't good at yet.
2. Conscious incompetence - At this stage we are aware of what would like to be good at, but still know that we aren't any good at it yet. In comparison with others we feel like we are rubbish at this particular activity.
3. Conscious competence - Now we have reached the level where we are good at the skill, but still have to think consciously about the actions involved to perform at a high standard. If a conscious lapse is made or in other words loss of concentration, mistakes can still be made.
4. Unconscious competence - Your there! It has become so easy and natural. Coordination is smooth and controlled and it all takes place with minimal conscious involvement. Congratulations you have a new talent.
So if these are the four stages, how do you rise from one level to the next? Easy. Practice.
Maybe you were hoping for some spectacular answer, but this is the only real answer there is.
It is both encouraging and disheartening at the same time. Disheartening because it means time and effort will be necessary, comfort zones will have to be stepped out of. Encouraging because anybody who is willing to pay the price, are guaranteed to succeed in the end. You see, the subconscious is a creature of habit. It feeds upon repetition. Your conscious mind acts as a gate keeper, whatever is frequently entering the conscious mind will be embraced by the subconscious mind. Both good and bad habits are formed this way. It is your job to keep vigilant watch that your conscious thoughts are constructive, that they are the only kind you would wish to allow entry into the realm of the subconscious, and in turn, reflected in your outer world and circumstances. If you want to become competent in something all you need do is learn how to do it right, and then repeat that over and over.
Get going! On my wish list is to learn the guitar and piano, several new languages, to speed read, become a better driver and typist, and better at the sports I enjoy. Maybe even one day i'll be able to dance without looking like my Dad at a wedding. I had best get practicing.
All the best, start writing your own wish list today, and follow through until you have many new skills.
Joey Bushnell
Joey Bushnell - http://knowers-ark.com/stagesoflearning.aspx
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joey_Bushnell
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Starting Golfing Fitness - 07/03/08
By K Lavinder
The basic groups of activities that a club golfer should be doing in order to get fit for golf better can be grouped into five categories:
- stretching for flexibility
- rotational training
- lower back strengthening
- leg strengthening
- hip strengthening
- shoulder strengthening
- stamina building
If you can't do anything else, for golfing fitness you need to work on the last one first. Golfers who have less overall stamina (aerobic fitness) will eventually compensate with adjustments to muscle operation or stance position, and the result will be a swing that reflects those changes. In addition to improving lots of other aspects of the golfer's life, stamina also makes the individual burn more calories, be more alert and have better mental acuity. That's quite a load of rewards for something that needs to be done just for a game of golf.
Before the reader starts getting images of aerobics classes, dancing and jumping around, uptempo music playing and a group of smiling 100 pound sprites gleefully romping while smiling broadly - stop! Building overall stamina can be an easy, painless and enjoyable time, as easy as taking a walk! To work this plan, you don't have to any more fit than the guys who ride the carts around the course and then cruise up after the round to the clubhouse for two or three cold ones! Golfing fitness builds up slowly, and can be done concurrently with the regular golfing outing.
Here's the plan:
WEEK ONE: On three separate days, give yourself a fifteen-minute period uninterrupted by anything else. Stroll for seven minutes. Then retrace your route to your starting point. The key here is to take this at an extremely light pace, just to get you used to the idea of giving yourself the time to make your golf game more enjoyable. While you will be walking and getting some blood circulation to your lungs and legs, it is far more important at this stage to get acclimated to the idea of scheduling time that belongs to you and your golf game. Remember, this is not an aerobic exercise now - it is a habit you are trying to develop.
WEEK TWO: This week, you are going to take your three days again, but this time you are going to be scheduling a twenty-minute period: ten minutes out and ten minutes back. This week, try to walk at least one time in a different route or a different location, so you don't get bored with what could end up seeming like repetition. Remember, you are still trying to get used to the idea of giving yourself some personal time to improve your game!
WEEK THREE: By now, you have spent two weeks doing your walks, and are wondering what all this has to do with making your golf game better. Why can't we get to this faster? I want to have it be better NOW! Well, too many times the average person starts to work on their fitness and jumps headlong into a "program" that works them really hard but does not make their mind start thinking "fitness" as an important part of the daily/weekly routine. We have tried to get you in the proper mental state to accept your fitness program as a part of your regular life, not as a big chore that you must "face" and defeat. Actually, by now you may already be appreciative of your "walk time" as a way of getting some air or removing some stressors from your daily life, and start to look forward to the relaxing feeling that comes from a regular "stroll" a few times a week.
This week, schedule 25 minutes: 12 minutes out and thirteen minutes back. Not much? It's a 25% increase! You're getting better! Don't forget to vary your walk to different routes. Think this isn't much? For most adults, you will have walked more than four holes by the end of your stroll! And your legs, lungs and back are getting good blood flow, which will certainly help keep up your game!
WEEK FOUR: Thirty minutes is your goal. (Those who are really starting to enjoy this may want to go forty, but don't force yourself into the place where this is a chore!) Walk out for fifteen minutes and return in fifteen. By now, you are probably picking up your walking pace without thinking about it, while still keeping the attitude of "just taking a stroll." This attitude is what makes those who make fitness a part of their regular life plan enjoy getting and staying in shape.(And in case you haven't started doing this yet, have your partner drive the cart and tote the clubs onboard while you walk an entire hole! You won't be lugging a heavy bag, and you may appreciate the time to take in the sights on the course! Next week - walk two holes!)
So there's your first step in getting fit for golf! It can be started anywhere, anytime. You can do it early, late or in the middle of the day. It's not the ultimate answer for complete golf fitness, but it is a way to get a good start. And, like any type of improvement program, failure to start and continue working at it is the sure way not to get better! And this hasn't cost you any money for a membership or equipment!
Want to move from being a hacker to a swinger?
Want to play stronger golf by just improving your golf fitness?
Visit Fitnez for Golf Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K_Lavinder
The basic groups of activities that a club golfer should be doing in order to get fit for golf better can be grouped into five categories:
- stretching for flexibility
- rotational training
- lower back strengthening
- leg strengthening
- hip strengthening
- shoulder strengthening
- stamina building
If you can't do anything else, for golfing fitness you need to work on the last one first. Golfers who have less overall stamina (aerobic fitness) will eventually compensate with adjustments to muscle operation or stance position, and the result will be a swing that reflects those changes. In addition to improving lots of other aspects of the golfer's life, stamina also makes the individual burn more calories, be more alert and have better mental acuity. That's quite a load of rewards for something that needs to be done just for a game of golf.
Before the reader starts getting images of aerobics classes, dancing and jumping around, uptempo music playing and a group of smiling 100 pound sprites gleefully romping while smiling broadly - stop! Building overall stamina can be an easy, painless and enjoyable time, as easy as taking a walk! To work this plan, you don't have to any more fit than the guys who ride the carts around the course and then cruise up after the round to the clubhouse for two or three cold ones! Golfing fitness builds up slowly, and can be done concurrently with the regular golfing outing.
Here's the plan:
WEEK ONE: On three separate days, give yourself a fifteen-minute period uninterrupted by anything else. Stroll for seven minutes. Then retrace your route to your starting point. The key here is to take this at an extremely light pace, just to get you used to the idea of giving yourself the time to make your golf game more enjoyable. While you will be walking and getting some blood circulation to your lungs and legs, it is far more important at this stage to get acclimated to the idea of scheduling time that belongs to you and your golf game. Remember, this is not an aerobic exercise now - it is a habit you are trying to develop.
WEEK TWO: This week, you are going to take your three days again, but this time you are going to be scheduling a twenty-minute period: ten minutes out and ten minutes back. This week, try to walk at least one time in a different route or a different location, so you don't get bored with what could end up seeming like repetition. Remember, you are still trying to get used to the idea of giving yourself some personal time to improve your game!
WEEK THREE: By now, you have spent two weeks doing your walks, and are wondering what all this has to do with making your golf game better. Why can't we get to this faster? I want to have it be better NOW! Well, too many times the average person starts to work on their fitness and jumps headlong into a "program" that works them really hard but does not make their mind start thinking "fitness" as an important part of the daily/weekly routine. We have tried to get you in the proper mental state to accept your fitness program as a part of your regular life, not as a big chore that you must "face" and defeat. Actually, by now you may already be appreciative of your "walk time" as a way of getting some air or removing some stressors from your daily life, and start to look forward to the relaxing feeling that comes from a regular "stroll" a few times a week.
This week, schedule 25 minutes: 12 minutes out and thirteen minutes back. Not much? It's a 25% increase! You're getting better! Don't forget to vary your walk to different routes. Think this isn't much? For most adults, you will have walked more than four holes by the end of your stroll! And your legs, lungs and back are getting good blood flow, which will certainly help keep up your game!
WEEK FOUR: Thirty minutes is your goal. (Those who are really starting to enjoy this may want to go forty, but don't force yourself into the place where this is a chore!) Walk out for fifteen minutes and return in fifteen. By now, you are probably picking up your walking pace without thinking about it, while still keeping the attitude of "just taking a stroll." This attitude is what makes those who make fitness a part of their regular life plan enjoy getting and staying in shape.(And in case you haven't started doing this yet, have your partner drive the cart and tote the clubs onboard while you walk an entire hole! You won't be lugging a heavy bag, and you may appreciate the time to take in the sights on the course! Next week - walk two holes!)
So there's your first step in getting fit for golf! It can be started anywhere, anytime. You can do it early, late or in the middle of the day. It's not the ultimate answer for complete golf fitness, but it is a way to get a good start. And, like any type of improvement program, failure to start and continue working at it is the sure way not to get better! And this hasn't cost you any money for a membership or equipment!
Want to move from being a hacker to a swinger?
Want to play stronger golf by just improving your golf fitness?
Visit Fitnez for Golf Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K_Lavinder
Friday, June 20, 2008
How to Achieve a Powerful Golf Swing - 6/20/08
Are you wondering how to achieve a powerful golf swing? Many people find themselves constantly striving to improve their golf swing and how to make it more powerful. It is easy to learn how to achieve powerful golf swing and this article is going to give you some tips on how to make your golf game better.
Now some of you that are reading this article are most likely saying well if I want to hit the ball harder; I will just swing harder and faster. Well we have all seen a baseball player that tries to kill the ball; usually does not hit the most home runs. However the player that understands how to use his body to swing into the ball seems to hit the ball easily and is the one who most likely has the most home runs.
That is because if you are striving to kill the ball you will not achieve a powerful hit.
You have to learn how to use your body and your mind to achieve a more powerful golf swing. Anyone who plays golf understands that it is more of a mental game than a physical game. That is the reason many people talk about visualization. Although in every sport many athletes have utilized visualization to help them achieve the results they are looking for. So how can you use visualization to help you achieve your goals?
Well it is easy. If you are finding it difficult to get the ball in the hole or near the hole you want to practice seeing the ball going into the hole before you pick up the club. As you practice seeing it going in or landing closer then you will notice that eventually you will not have many challenges to improve your golf game. Now I do not want you to think that visualization alone will have you lowering your handicap.
It takes constant practice and knowing how to move your body to help you improve your swing. Begin using your hips to create a more powerful swing. Do not begin swinging harder at the ball! Learn how to do a rotational stretch for your core, and also a rotational strength exercise like a twisting crunch on a stability ball. The combination of the stretch and the resistance exercise will greatly improve your bodies ability to generate more more by utilizing your hips as opposed to swinging harder.
Once you learn how to use your hips the way they were meant to be used for this game, you will begin to notice how much better you golf game improves. Now remember as you begin learning how to use your hips it takes practice for the effect to take place on the course. Do not become discouraged if it takes you some time to pick up the new motion to help your game.
If you found this article on "how to achieve a powerful golf swing" helpful; visit our site below. You can learn how to lower your handicap in two weeks without having to hire a trainer!
How To Achieve A Powerful Golf Swing! Sign up for your FREE tips that GUARANTEE You'll Lengthen your Drive and Cut your Handicap by 7-12 Strokes in Just Two weeks.
Receive a Special Trial to our Brand New Apprentice Program!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Marx
Now some of you that are reading this article are most likely saying well if I want to hit the ball harder; I will just swing harder and faster. Well we have all seen a baseball player that tries to kill the ball; usually does not hit the most home runs. However the player that understands how to use his body to swing into the ball seems to hit the ball easily and is the one who most likely has the most home runs.
That is because if you are striving to kill the ball you will not achieve a powerful hit.
You have to learn how to use your body and your mind to achieve a more powerful golf swing. Anyone who plays golf understands that it is more of a mental game than a physical game. That is the reason many people talk about visualization. Although in every sport many athletes have utilized visualization to help them achieve the results they are looking for. So how can you use visualization to help you achieve your goals?
Well it is easy. If you are finding it difficult to get the ball in the hole or near the hole you want to practice seeing the ball going into the hole before you pick up the club. As you practice seeing it going in or landing closer then you will notice that eventually you will not have many challenges to improve your golf game. Now I do not want you to think that visualization alone will have you lowering your handicap.
It takes constant practice and knowing how to move your body to help you improve your swing. Begin using your hips to create a more powerful swing. Do not begin swinging harder at the ball! Learn how to do a rotational stretch for your core, and also a rotational strength exercise like a twisting crunch on a stability ball. The combination of the stretch and the resistance exercise will greatly improve your bodies ability to generate more more by utilizing your hips as opposed to swinging harder.
Once you learn how to use your hips the way they were meant to be used for this game, you will begin to notice how much better you golf game improves. Now remember as you begin learning how to use your hips it takes practice for the effect to take place on the course. Do not become discouraged if it takes you some time to pick up the new motion to help your game.
If you found this article on "how to achieve a powerful golf swing" helpful; visit our site below. You can learn how to lower your handicap in two weeks without having to hire a trainer!
How To Achieve A Powerful Golf Swing! Sign up for your FREE tips that GUARANTEE You'll Lengthen your Drive and Cut your Handicap by 7-12 Strokes in Just Two weeks.
Receive a Special Trial to our Brand New Apprentice Program!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Marx
Monday, June 16, 2008
Golf in Video and Photo Essays - 06/16/08
The premier online golf handicap, score tracking, and game analysis destination for golfers worldwide keeps getting better! Why go anywhere else when PasturePool now gives you real time golf video news and footage on our home page. In addition, we also provide the latest golf headlines in photo essay format.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
iPhone Native Application
PasturePool is pleased to announce development is underway for an iphone native software version of its course tracking system. Providing a software version will allow members to track scores virtually anywhere because it will not require cell or wireless coverage.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
View and Edit Historical Rounds - 5/27/08
Now members can view and edit their historical rounds on both the iPhone and web edition. Please see blog post from 5/24 to learn how to edit using your iPhone.
To edit a round using your computer:
1. From the clubhouse page, select View Historical Rounds (choose a year)
2. From the results (All Rounds) page, click on a specific round to view/edit
To edit a round using your computer:
1. From the clubhouse page, select View Historical Rounds (choose a year)
2. From the results (All Rounds) page, click on a specific round to view/edit
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Edit Historical Rounds on your iPhone - 5/24/08
Members now have the ability to view and edit historical rounds played using their iPhone. Completed rounds can be viewed by clicking on the "Stats" page and then searching for a round played. Rounds can be searched for by either courses or year played.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Why You Need A Golf Fitness Program - 5/18/08
by Curt Smith
Most people think that you do not need to do any exercises to be good at such a leisurely and laid back game as golf. But they're wrong. Golf may look easy to those who do not play it, but golf, surprisingly, is a sport that requires the same degree of athleticism that other sports demand of their players.
This is reason why you need a good golf fitness program, especially if you are looking to play this game seriously. Any good golf enthusiast knows the importance of strength, power, flexibility, stability, and body awareness when it comes to playing a good game, and there's no better way to achieve all these than to follow a golf fitness program, preferably one that is specifically made for you.
Most golf fitness programs start off by identifying your weak points and physical limitations through a thorough fitness evaluation and as soon as this is done, a plan to overcome said limitations are made so that you can get a new and improved swing to inspire the awe and envy of your golfing buddies.
A good golf fitness program should cover these main areas:
Strength exercises
Strength is a major factor in your swing and the distance that your ball is able to cover. But aside from this, strength together with flexibility work together to give you a more consistent and reliable golf swing. Strength training should be foremost on your mind when considering a golf fitness program since it lays down the foundation for stability, balance, power, and coordination. Strong tendons and muscles, the result of following a regular and effective golf fitness program, also reduces the risk of injury because they have an improved ability to distribute the stress brought about by the gold swing uniformly throughout the body.
Stretching exercises
Strength training is the way to improve your flexibility. It also reduces the incidence of lower back pain which often comes after a long of hitting the balls.
Cardio exercises-
Cardio exercise are a great way to boost your endurance and stamina, which you need to stock up on especially because you 'll be doing a lot of walking if you do not have a golf cart to take you from one hole to another. The less tired you are while playing, the better your concentration and swing will be.
Nutrition plan
Playing golf requires you to be out under the sun and walking from one hole to another. To keep yourself from getting tired all too soon take a meal rich in protein and carbs before a golf game, and try to take small snacks of fruit or nuts to keep your blood sugar at levels that will keep you playing until the 18th hole and beyond.
To prevent injury, develop a superior swing that will be the source of envy of your golf buddies and to enjoy each and every game, start with a good golf fitness program now.
For more information on a golf fitness program, visit the golf exercises site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Curt_Smith
Most people think that you do not need to do any exercises to be good at such a leisurely and laid back game as golf. But they're wrong. Golf may look easy to those who do not play it, but golf, surprisingly, is a sport that requires the same degree of athleticism that other sports demand of their players.
This is reason why you need a good golf fitness program, especially if you are looking to play this game seriously. Any good golf enthusiast knows the importance of strength, power, flexibility, stability, and body awareness when it comes to playing a good game, and there's no better way to achieve all these than to follow a golf fitness program, preferably one that is specifically made for you.
Most golf fitness programs start off by identifying your weak points and physical limitations through a thorough fitness evaluation and as soon as this is done, a plan to overcome said limitations are made so that you can get a new and improved swing to inspire the awe and envy of your golfing buddies.
A good golf fitness program should cover these main areas:
Strength exercises
Strength is a major factor in your swing and the distance that your ball is able to cover. But aside from this, strength together with flexibility work together to give you a more consistent and reliable golf swing. Strength training should be foremost on your mind when considering a golf fitness program since it lays down the foundation for stability, balance, power, and coordination. Strong tendons and muscles, the result of following a regular and effective golf fitness program, also reduces the risk of injury because they have an improved ability to distribute the stress brought about by the gold swing uniformly throughout the body.
Stretching exercises
Strength training is the way to improve your flexibility. It also reduces the incidence of lower back pain which often comes after a long of hitting the balls.
Cardio exercises-
Cardio exercise are a great way to boost your endurance and stamina, which you need to stock up on especially because you 'll be doing a lot of walking if you do not have a golf cart to take you from one hole to another. The less tired you are while playing, the better your concentration and swing will be.
Nutrition plan
Playing golf requires you to be out under the sun and walking from one hole to another. To keep yourself from getting tired all too soon take a meal rich in protein and carbs before a golf game, and try to take small snacks of fruit or nuts to keep your blood sugar at levels that will keep you playing until the 18th hole and beyond.
To prevent injury, develop a superior swing that will be the source of envy of your golf buddies and to enjoy each and every game, start with a good golf fitness program now.
For more information on a golf fitness program, visit the golf exercises site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Curt_Smith
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Find It! - 05/13/08
Use our new keyword search tool to find relevant articles and topics. Find an article now!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Choosing Golf Clubs - 5/08/08
By Brad Lind 05/08/2008
Ok. Here are the basics. A golf club has three parts - the head, the shaft and the grip. A standard set of golf clubs consists of three woods (the Driver, #3, and #5 fairway woods), eight irons (#3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, and PW), and a putter - that's twelve clubs in all. According to the rules of golf, and we should all play by the rules, you can carry fourteen clubs in your bag, so many golfers add a specialty wood or another iron.
Now, let's have a look at the different types of clubs.
Drivers & Fairway woods
These clubs are used to hit longer shots. That's a basic yet apt way to look at it. If a golf hole is a par four or five from tee to green, most golfers would choose to use a wood.
The driver, or the 1 Wood, has the lowest loft of any golf club. Loft is the angle of the club face that controls trajectory and affects distance. A driver has a loft between 7 and 12 degrees. Better golfers have traditionally favored drivers with less than 10 degrees of loft, which require a lot more skill to hit.
Most golfers also carry a #3 and #5 fairway wood as part of their arsenal. A #3 wood has a loft of 15 degrees, and a #5 wood has a loft of 18 degrees. The higher the golf club number, the higher the loft. The #3 and #5 wood are commonly referred to as fairway woods, because they are most often used during the second shot of play, when you are supposed to be on the fairway.
Hybrids
Hybrids are a recent innovation to golf. A hybrid is a combination of an iron and a wood and is an easier to hit alternative to a long iron. Hybrids are versatile enough to be used in any situation. Hybrids come in a range of four lofts - 16 (#2), 19 (#3), 22 (#4) and 25 (#5) Degrees. Hybrids replace their equivalent number long iron, e.g. a #3 hybrid will replace a #3 iron and a #2 hybrid can be used to replace a #5 fairway wood.
Irons
Irons are generally used for shorter distances and more control than drivers and fairway woods. The closer you are to the green, the higher the iron you will use. A standard set of irons consists of #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 and #9 and the PITCHING WEDGE (PW). A sandwedge is generally a good option to purchase for shots out of sand traps. The #3 and #4 irons are harder to hit than the higher numbered irons. Many golfers choose to replace the #3 and #4 iron with higher lofted woods or hybrids which are easier to hit than traditional long irons, resulting in comparable distances.
Wedges
Wedges are really just specialty irons. The first wedge is the Pitching Wedge (PW), which is usually between 52 and 56 degrees in loft. The PW is the highest lofted iron in a standard set and lowest loft of the wedges. Lob wedges range from 58 to 64 degrees and are used for close range short and high shots to overcome obstacles close to the green. Wedges are extremely useful for your short game and it is beneficial to keep a selection of them in your bag.
Sand Wedges are another type of wedge and are designed to get you out of the dreaded sand traps. They have a shorter shaft and a more angled face to get under the ball in order to exit a bunker.
Putters
As the adage goes "Drive for show, Putt for dough". The putter usually gets you in the hole, so it can be assumed, that choosing the right putter is critical to your game. Putters come in various styles and types.: short, belly, long, bent, center-hosel, heel-toe, mallet, and so on. When choosing a putter the main things to consider are the: weighting, balance and feel. Better putters provide alignment aids to help you visualize the line from your ball to the target.
Golf Clubs, Golf Equipment - Lind Golf
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Lind
Ok. Here are the basics. A golf club has three parts - the head, the shaft and the grip. A standard set of golf clubs consists of three woods (the Driver, #3, and #5 fairway woods), eight irons (#3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, and PW), and a putter - that's twelve clubs in all. According to the rules of golf, and we should all play by the rules, you can carry fourteen clubs in your bag, so many golfers add a specialty wood or another iron.
Now, let's have a look at the different types of clubs.
Drivers & Fairway woods
These clubs are used to hit longer shots. That's a basic yet apt way to look at it. If a golf hole is a par four or five from tee to green, most golfers would choose to use a wood.
The driver, or the 1 Wood, has the lowest loft of any golf club. Loft is the angle of the club face that controls trajectory and affects distance. A driver has a loft between 7 and 12 degrees. Better golfers have traditionally favored drivers with less than 10 degrees of loft, which require a lot more skill to hit.
Most golfers also carry a #3 and #5 fairway wood as part of their arsenal. A #3 wood has a loft of 15 degrees, and a #5 wood has a loft of 18 degrees. The higher the golf club number, the higher the loft. The #3 and #5 wood are commonly referred to as fairway woods, because they are most often used during the second shot of play, when you are supposed to be on the fairway.
Hybrids
Hybrids are a recent innovation to golf. A hybrid is a combination of an iron and a wood and is an easier to hit alternative to a long iron. Hybrids are versatile enough to be used in any situation. Hybrids come in a range of four lofts - 16 (#2), 19 (#3), 22 (#4) and 25 (#5) Degrees. Hybrids replace their equivalent number long iron, e.g. a #3 hybrid will replace a #3 iron and a #2 hybrid can be used to replace a #5 fairway wood.
Irons
Irons are generally used for shorter distances and more control than drivers and fairway woods. The closer you are to the green, the higher the iron you will use. A standard set of irons consists of #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 and #9 and the PITCHING WEDGE (PW). A sandwedge is generally a good option to purchase for shots out of sand traps. The #3 and #4 irons are harder to hit than the higher numbered irons. Many golfers choose to replace the #3 and #4 iron with higher lofted woods or hybrids which are easier to hit than traditional long irons, resulting in comparable distances.
Wedges
Wedges are really just specialty irons. The first wedge is the Pitching Wedge (PW), which is usually between 52 and 56 degrees in loft. The PW is the highest lofted iron in a standard set and lowest loft of the wedges. Lob wedges range from 58 to 64 degrees and are used for close range short and high shots to overcome obstacles close to the green. Wedges are extremely useful for your short game and it is beneficial to keep a selection of them in your bag.
Sand Wedges are another type of wedge and are designed to get you out of the dreaded sand traps. They have a shorter shaft and a more angled face to get under the ball in order to exit a bunker.
Putters
As the adage goes "Drive for show, Putt for dough". The putter usually gets you in the hole, so it can be assumed, that choosing the right putter is critical to your game. Putters come in various styles and types.: short, belly, long, bent, center-hosel, heel-toe, mallet, and so on. When choosing a putter the main things to consider are the: weighting, balance and feel. Better putters provide alignment aids to help you visualize the line from your ball to the target.
Golf Clubs, Golf Equipment - Lind Golf
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Lind
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Enter & Save Your Round Notes - 05/07/08
Now you can log round notes on PasturePool iPhone mobile edition. Keep track of personal data, notes about people you played with, notes about the course, or virtually anything important to you.
This feature will also be added to the web version shortly.
This feature will also be added to the web version shortly.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Golf Balls, Clubs, and More - 05/01/08
Playing golf requires that you have the right golf equipment at hand. This is to ensure that you can play the game properly and have the right tools to apply your skills. We are very excited to announce our partnership with Amazon.com with the launch of our newly redesigned PasturePool Market Place. We are now able to provide you with an extensive collection of name brand Clubs, Balls, Bags, and hundreds of golfing accessories.
Get the right equipment and help Better Your Game! Visit our store at http://www.pasturepool.com/marketplace.
Get the right equipment and help Better Your Game! Visit our store at http://www.pasturepool.com/marketplace.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Added Google Maps Features - 4/30/08
We have added a new Google Maps Search feature for our iPhone web application edition. When viewing course search results, members can now click on the "state" field to launch google map information for the specified course.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Why Do I Slice The Ball 04/27/2008
By Lawrence Bredenkamp
Have you ever asked the question "Why do I slice the ball?" Well if so you are not alone. Over 90% of club golfers suffer from this problem.
First off you need to know what causes a slice. Now I don't want to get too technical here as this article is supposed to give you a few simple tips on how to avoid or reduce your slice.
Two things have to be present to create a slice. First off you must have an out to in swing path. In other words your club face is cutting across the ball causing it so spin sideways.
Secondly you must have an open club face. Both of these factors must be present to create a slice.
If you have an out to in swing path with a closed club face the result will be a pull shot whereas a square club face with the same swing path will result in a fade. These are all very different shots and beyond the scope of this article.
Your slice can be caused by a number of things. The most common is the grip, followed by alignment and then the takeaway.
And the biggest fault of all is trying to hit the ball too hard which causes a casting effect at the top of the swing. Try using a three quarter backswing to overcome the tendency to try and hit the ball too hard.
These are by no means the only causes of a slice but they are the most common.
A slice can be further exaggerated by the ball you use and this is a common fault of a lot of average club players. We all see the pros using a particular golf ball and figure that the same or similar ball would be good for our game. This is not necessarily true.
Golf ball technology has become a science in itself and the top players rely heavily on the performance of a golf ball for control. This control usually takes the form of spin so you will find that most pros use balls that are made specifically to generate a high rate of spin, balls such as the Titleist ProVI.
Now let's get back to our slice problem. We've already seen that by swinging from out to in we are cutting across the face of the ball causing it to spin from left to right (for right handed golfers). Now add to this a ball that is designed for increased spin and you will realize that you are compounding the problem. Far better then to use a golf ball that has low spin tendencies. These low spin balls also tend to roll a lot further so they should also contribute to greater distance. The down side to these balls is control around the green but for the average golfer this will not yet be a problem.
Now that you understand why you slice a ball you need to know what to do about it.
First off change your ball - this is the easiest adjustment to make.
Then you need to learn the correct grip to avoid a slice and most importantly square your club face up at address. If you can do this but cannot stop the out to in swing path you will land up a with a very manageable and acceptable fade. A lot of pros actually prefer the fade as it gives them greater control.
When practicing these things you need to exaggerate them. By this I mean don't just square your club face up but actually go further and close it. As you improve you will find that you get it into a square position quite naturally.
Getting your swing path to go from out to in to an in to out swing path is a little more tricky and takes a lot of practice. The best way to do this is at ultra slow speed, over and over and over again. Training your big muscles so that the movement is embedded and when done at normal speed falls naturally onto plane.
I hope that has answered your question "Why do I slice the ball?" and that it will go some way to making this wonderful game more enjoyable for you.
As a qualified EGTF golf coach Lawrence Bredenkamp takes great pleasure in helping people improve their game. Why not head over to Play The Lie for more information on how to improve your golf swing and lower your scores? Whilst there you may want to sign up for his FREE 6 week tutorial designed to reduce your golf handicap by 15%?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_Bredenkamp
Have you ever asked the question "Why do I slice the ball?" Well if so you are not alone. Over 90% of club golfers suffer from this problem.
First off you need to know what causes a slice. Now I don't want to get too technical here as this article is supposed to give you a few simple tips on how to avoid or reduce your slice.
Two things have to be present to create a slice. First off you must have an out to in swing path. In other words your club face is cutting across the ball causing it so spin sideways.
Secondly you must have an open club face. Both of these factors must be present to create a slice.
If you have an out to in swing path with a closed club face the result will be a pull shot whereas a square club face with the same swing path will result in a fade. These are all very different shots and beyond the scope of this article.
Your slice can be caused by a number of things. The most common is the grip, followed by alignment and then the takeaway.
And the biggest fault of all is trying to hit the ball too hard which causes a casting effect at the top of the swing. Try using a three quarter backswing to overcome the tendency to try and hit the ball too hard.
These are by no means the only causes of a slice but they are the most common.
A slice can be further exaggerated by the ball you use and this is a common fault of a lot of average club players. We all see the pros using a particular golf ball and figure that the same or similar ball would be good for our game. This is not necessarily true.
Golf ball technology has become a science in itself and the top players rely heavily on the performance of a golf ball for control. This control usually takes the form of spin so you will find that most pros use balls that are made specifically to generate a high rate of spin, balls such as the Titleist ProVI.
Now let's get back to our slice problem. We've already seen that by swinging from out to in we are cutting across the face of the ball causing it to spin from left to right (for right handed golfers). Now add to this a ball that is designed for increased spin and you will realize that you are compounding the problem. Far better then to use a golf ball that has low spin tendencies. These low spin balls also tend to roll a lot further so they should also contribute to greater distance. The down side to these balls is control around the green but for the average golfer this will not yet be a problem.
Now that you understand why you slice a ball you need to know what to do about it.
First off change your ball - this is the easiest adjustment to make.
Then you need to learn the correct grip to avoid a slice and most importantly square your club face up at address. If you can do this but cannot stop the out to in swing path you will land up a with a very manageable and acceptable fade. A lot of pros actually prefer the fade as it gives them greater control.
When practicing these things you need to exaggerate them. By this I mean don't just square your club face up but actually go further and close it. As you improve you will find that you get it into a square position quite naturally.
Getting your swing path to go from out to in to an in to out swing path is a little more tricky and takes a lot of practice. The best way to do this is at ultra slow speed, over and over and over again. Training your big muscles so that the movement is embedded and when done at normal speed falls naturally onto plane.
I hope that has answered your question "Why do I slice the ball?" and that it will go some way to making this wonderful game more enjoyable for you.
As a qualified EGTF golf coach Lawrence Bredenkamp takes great pleasure in helping people improve their game. Why not head over to Play The Lie for more information on how to improve your golf swing and lower your scores? Whilst there you may want to sign up for his FREE 6 week tutorial designed to reduce your golf handicap by 15%?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_Bredenkamp
Sunday, April 20, 2008
$50 Offer Ends Soon - 4/20/08
There is still time to enter and win a $50 Visa Gift Card from PasturePool.com. Swing into spring and activate your gold membership for only $14.95 and you will be automatically entered for your chance to win a $50.00 Visa Gift Card. We hope you had a great weekend of golf and for those on the course today, enjoy!!!
Friday, April 18, 2008
The Mental Game of Golf - 4/18/08
By Jeff Niedzwiedz
Understanding the Mental Game of Golf
I took up golf about 5 years ago. Having always been a natural athlete, I played tennis, basketball and baseball throughout high school and college. Intense competition is something I thrived in and like most people I hated to lose. Something I never understood was that when I played tennis with someone that probably had HALF the talent I did, I found myself struggling and in some cases even losing, much to my displeasure.
When I took up golf, however, I thrived immediately. Due to having a strong arm from my years of playing tennis and basketball, I was able to drive the ball hundreds of yards and played an excellent short game.
But I found myself once again losing and being totally out of my game when I started to compete with people that played more poorly than I did.
I analyzed my game and like a lightning bolt hitting me, I realized the game of golf was mental. I was sabotaging myself myself and losing control of all my focus. I showed nervousness and made every excuse in the book on why I was playing poorly during certain games. It became frightening to actually get on the course. I thought people were actually laughing at me behind my back.
When I started to understand the mental game of golf I began to see the error of my ways. I saw that I needed to regain focus to help my nerves, since by that point I was having jitters so bad, I wanted to fake an injury to avoid playing. Embarrassing myself with yelling and being angry spin tailed and ruined the round for myself and other people.
I had mastered the physical mechanics of golf but not the mental ones. People blame their equipment or the design of the course. What about Tiger Woods? Twenty-five years ago when he learned the sport, there weren't $2,000 drivers and $500 putters. Tiger was taught to have a mental edge at a young age. He was beating adults at the age of 10. He never panics and only shows emotion when he makes a GOOD shot.
Finally, I have mastered the mental game of golf. I start preparing myself in advance by concentrating on my preshot routine. My goal was to hit the best shots possible and remaining consistent from the first tee. First tee anxiety will put you at a significant disadvantage. Believe in your skills and don't concern yourself with other people, because you will lose focus and put unnecessary pressure on yourself. You will only generate anger (for yourself!) and cause your game to go down the tubes.
If you begin to play from the mind and realize that that is the muscle you should exercise, I guarantee you will improve your score from the very first time you try it. Anyone can increase his or her score by focusing on the mental game of golf.
I am always coming up with new tips to share!
Hi there my name is Jeff.
I am always looking to learn new information. You should be learning something new everyday. I enjoy sharing things that I have learned with people. I know this is a way top reach alot of people!
I hope everyone likes what I have to say and the information I provide is valuable to you!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Niedzwiedz
Understanding the Mental Game of Golf
I took up golf about 5 years ago. Having always been a natural athlete, I played tennis, basketball and baseball throughout high school and college. Intense competition is something I thrived in and like most people I hated to lose. Something I never understood was that when I played tennis with someone that probably had HALF the talent I did, I found myself struggling and in some cases even losing, much to my displeasure.
When I took up golf, however, I thrived immediately. Due to having a strong arm from my years of playing tennis and basketball, I was able to drive the ball hundreds of yards and played an excellent short game.
But I found myself once again losing and being totally out of my game when I started to compete with people that played more poorly than I did.
I analyzed my game and like a lightning bolt hitting me, I realized the game of golf was mental. I was sabotaging myself myself and losing control of all my focus. I showed nervousness and made every excuse in the book on why I was playing poorly during certain games. It became frightening to actually get on the course. I thought people were actually laughing at me behind my back.
When I started to understand the mental game of golf I began to see the error of my ways. I saw that I needed to regain focus to help my nerves, since by that point I was having jitters so bad, I wanted to fake an injury to avoid playing. Embarrassing myself with yelling and being angry spin tailed and ruined the round for myself and other people.
I had mastered the physical mechanics of golf but not the mental ones. People blame their equipment or the design of the course. What about Tiger Woods? Twenty-five years ago when he learned the sport, there weren't $2,000 drivers and $500 putters. Tiger was taught to have a mental edge at a young age. He was beating adults at the age of 10. He never panics and only shows emotion when he makes a GOOD shot.
Finally, I have mastered the mental game of golf. I start preparing myself in advance by concentrating on my preshot routine. My goal was to hit the best shots possible and remaining consistent from the first tee. First tee anxiety will put you at a significant disadvantage. Believe in your skills and don't concern yourself with other people, because you will lose focus and put unnecessary pressure on yourself. You will only generate anger (for yourself!) and cause your game to go down the tubes.
If you begin to play from the mind and realize that that is the muscle you should exercise, I guarantee you will improve your score from the very first time you try it. Anyone can increase his or her score by focusing on the mental game of golf.
I am always coming up with new tips to share!
Hi there my name is Jeff.
I am always looking to learn new information. You should be learning something new everyday. I enjoy sharing things that I have learned with people. I know this is a way top reach alot of people!
I hope everyone likes what I have to say and the information I provide is valuable to you!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Niedzwiedz
Improve Your Stroke in 2 minutes - 4/18/08
The "golf swing test" is a simple way to determine if you have a fault in your swing and where that fault is. Why is important to understand faults in your swing? More distance, better accuracy, and consistency. We have tried this simple, yet effective tip from our partner Consistent Golf.com. We encourage you to take a look. Have a great round!!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
What was my last score? - 4/16/08
When viewing the online scorecard for the current round being played
(iphone) or submitted (computer), you can now see what your score was the
last time you played the course.
(iphone) or submitted (computer), you can now see what your score was the
last time you played the course.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
IPhone Stats Updated
Eagle, Birdie, Par, Bogey, Double Bogey percent stats are now also
available on our mobile edition.
available on our mobile edition.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Golf News Updates
A quick note to let everyone know we are working on an update to the
news feed for our iPhone edition. More to come.
news feed for our iPhone edition. More to come.
New Statistics Available
Eagle, Birdie, Par, Bogie, Double Bogie percentages for your cumulative YTD rounds NOW AVAILABLE. Login and select detailed scoring to view
Learn More
Learn More
Spring Fling Promotion
Activate your Gold Membership during the months of March or April for your chance to win a $50.00 Visa Gift Card you can use during your next round or a Pro Shop of your choice!
It is our way of saying thank you and helping you to kick off the 2008 season!
Promotion Details
It is our way of saying thank you and helping you to kick off the 2008 season!
Promotion Details
Welcome to our new blog
Welcome everyone to our new blog. We will be using this site to keep members and guests current on news, site events, & enhancements. We will also begin posting instructional articles so that you can subscribe via RSS feeds directly on your web browser, iPhone, or other mobile device.
Thanks for stopping by and keep your feedback coming.
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