The Daily Golf Swing Aids Superblog
Thursday, April 17, 2008
My Golf Equipment Reviews
Our Featured Golf Writer
Get this best selling golf eBook and Mp3 audio file to improve your skill level
Which Golf Clubs Are For You?
By: Lee MacRae
With a larger variety of golf clubs coming onto the scene every week, it can become more and more difficult to determine just exactly what you should be looking for when buying new clubs.
We will go through a few basic tips to help you determine which golf clubs are right for you.
How tall are you? Standard clubs are made for anyone between 5 to 6 feet tall and should work out fine. The principle applies to both sexes. Anyone else should consider looking to custom clubs for the best fit.
Cast Iron or Forged Iron?
For most golfers, the standard cast iron clubs are the proper way to go.
Why do we say that? Because of the larger "sweet spot" you tend to find on the cast iron clubs. This is the are in the center of the club face where "forces" are said to be perfectly balanced to deliver the perfect shot. The bigger the sweet spot, the better chance of hitting well it every time. Being a little off center will not affect your shot to any great degree. This makes cast iron clubs ideal for anyone who wants a more consistant shot., especially beginners. Without a steady consistant swing, a larger striking area will produce better shots overall. That is why clubs like "Big Bertha" came on the market. The large oversized head obviously gives a much larger sweet spot than a normal driver. Average golfers get longer and straighter drives on a more consistant basis.
With forged iron clubs you have the exact opposite. A smaller sweet spot that makes your drives that much harder to hit well.
So why are forged clubs even sold?
For a very simple reason. Cast iron is a softer metal that offers a better "feel" on a shot. The more experienced player has a much more defined and repeatable swing, allowing them to hit the smaller sweet spot with much more consistancy. They don't need that larger "margin of error" the beginner needs. And now, the better "feel" allows him or her the added advantage of being able to manoevre and/or "shape" each shot to the circumstances as needed.
The shaft of the club is your next thing to look at. Specifically the material it will be made from. Basically, you have steel or composite shafts
How fast can you swing your golf club? Average speed for a golfer falls in the range of 80 to 95 mph. If you have a slower club head speed then you need to look to composite materials. The result of lower swing speed is less yardage on each shot. You want to find some way to offset your lower swing speed. And that is where the composite shaft material comes in. The composite shaft will give you longer drives than you will normally get with your low swing speed and steel shafted golf clubs.
By contrast, those with good distances on their shots, will fare much better by using a steel shaft that will give them some touch and control on their shots.
Determining your own swing speed is not difficult. If you don't have a local pro shop with the right equipment, you can find small microwave Doppler radar devices that are run by AAA batterieson the market. You simply set it near your tee and swing away.
So there you have it. Just a few quick tips but ones that will start you down the path to finding the right clubs for your game. Take the time to try different clubs and see how they hinder or help your game. If possible, even try different types of composite shafts. Different manufacturers will have different standards for shaft flex and so on. Check out as many as possible and take note of how each works for you.
If you implement these tips and work on them, you will be certain to develop a better drive within a short period of time. Just keep on practicing and working on your improvement. It's only a matter of time before your scores begin to drop.
Get the perfect golf grip and improve your golf game!
Some Golf Ideas
The Grain affects the roll! Grain is mostly seen on the fringe of the green. Putts with grain roll faster and farther, against the grain slower and not so far. Check from both sides of your ball as well as behind the ball when lining up. The appearance of the grass shows the grain. If it looks shiny the grain is away from you. If dull, the grain is towards you.
...World Golf
Many swing faults occur from an improper setup. This can cause unnecessary adjustments during the swing. Taking care to position the ball, feet, hips and shoulders properly ensures building a good swing foundation. Testing has shown golfers with open stances show no more tendency to slice than golfers with closed stances. The open stance may give the golfers a little more opportunity to slice, because it allows a little more freedom in the downswing and follow-though. The square stance is used by most successful golfers. Beginners should start with a square stance. As you advance, you can experiment with the advantages of other stances. Avoid extreme stances. Experiment to find the stance that works best for you. Take care to set up consistently on all normal shots.
...PGA of America
There are a number of possible reasons for hitting behind the ball. If you are not shifting your weight properly on the downswing, from the back leg to the front leg, your swing will bottom out before the club gets to the ball. Also, if you do not keep your head steady, you do not know where your swing will bottom out. Also, if you do not keep your leading arm reasonably straight, the arc of your swing will vary, so you can improve your consistency by focusing on these 3 areas.
...US Golf Association
Torque It Up!
A good backswing creates torque and is achieved by rotating the body away from the ground using the feet as an anchor. Except for unusually flexible players, the knees, hips, core, back and shoulders should all be used to create torque. Once you get the feel of creating leverage against the ground, your power will increase significantly.
...Golf Tips magazine
Putting Tip
Wanna be a good putter? Here are some basic fundamentals you should be practicing.
--Get a putter with a very distinct line marked on it to indicate the target line and practice with a chalk line. You can get a chalk line at any hardware store for 5 or 6 bucks, and it's as valuable a training aid as there is anywhere. Find a putt on the practice green that is straight. Snap a chalk line down from about 5 or 6 feet to the middle of the cup. Make sure that the entire length of the line on your putter is exactly on the chalk line. Start making putts. This will train your eyes to "see square" precisely.
--Keep your the pressure in your hands soft and constant throughout the stroke. Sensitivity is obviously a huge part of putting. If your hands are tight on the grip you are diminishing your sensitivity - period. Also, if your grip pressure changes during the stroke, it's probably not "a stroke" but more likely a jab, flinch, spasm, push, hit ... well, you get the point -- good luck with that kind of technique.
--There is no independent action in the hands. Nothing could be more logical: If you do indeed have the putter face aligned precisely, as in the first point above, the last thing you'd want to do is to change the position of the face. Therefore, your hands should not be moving independently of your arms and shoulders. To see if your hands are moving, as a drill try watching your hands very carefully (instead of the ball) a few times. You'll see what your hands are doing quite easily.
There are many more (seemingly endless) details about putting, of course, but if you turn these fundamental concepts into habits it will take you a long way toward being a consistently good putter
...PGA professional golf
Headline News About Golf
James Lawton: Masters class in commitment exposes hollow heart of the 'golden generation'
Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100
<p>According to his proud countryman Gary Player, Trevor Immelman has a swing like Ben Hogan. This was unquestionably a key factor in the 28-year-old South African's four-day march to a Masters' Green Jacket, but the most vital one of all was to be found closer to the ribcage from where he had a tumour removed a few months ago. The man from Cape Town may have had his nerve challenged briefly by a few roars hinting that the Tiger was stirring finally at Amen Corner, but his heart never wavered.</p>
Learn How to Train Like a TOUR Player on Golf Fitness Academy
Mon, 08 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT
Balance Basics
Mon, 15 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Learn the basics of balance and how this relates to improving your game.
golf club reviews | golf instruction | golf putter
¶ 11:06 PM 0 comments
Our Featured Golf Writer
Get this best selling golf eBook and Mp3 audio file to improve your skill level
Which Golf Clubs Are For You?
By: Lee MacRae
With a larger variety of golf clubs coming onto the scene every week, it can become more and more difficult to determine just exactly what you should be looking for when buying new clubs.
We will go through a few basic tips to help you determine which golf clubs are right for you.
How tall are you? Standard clubs are made for anyone between 5 to 6 feet tall and should work out fine. The principle applies to both sexes. Anyone else should consider looking to custom clubs for the best fit.
Cast Iron or Forged Iron?
For most golfers, the standard cast iron clubs are the proper way to go.
Why do we say that? Because of the larger "sweet spot" you tend to find on the cast iron clubs. This is the are in the center of the club face where "forces" are said to be perfectly balanced to deliver the perfect shot. The bigger the sweet spot, the better chance of hitting well it every time. Being a little off center will not affect your shot to any great degree. This makes cast iron clubs ideal for anyone who wants a more consistant shot., especially beginners. Without a steady consistant swing, a larger striking area will produce better shots overall. That is why clubs like "Big Bertha" came on the market. The large oversized head obviously gives a much larger sweet spot than a normal driver. Average golfers get longer and straighter drives on a more consistant basis.
With forged iron clubs you have the exact opposite. A smaller sweet spot that makes your drives that much harder to hit well.
So why are forged clubs even sold?
For a very simple reason. Cast iron is a softer metal that offers a better "feel" on a shot. The more experienced player has a much more defined and repeatable swing, allowing them to hit the smaller sweet spot with much more consistancy. They don't need that larger "margin of error" the beginner needs. And now, the better "feel" allows him or her the added advantage of being able to manoevre and/or "shape" each shot to the circumstances as needed.
The shaft of the club is your next thing to look at. Specifically the material it will be made from. Basically, you have steel or composite shafts
How fast can you swing your golf club? Average speed for a golfer falls in the range of 80 to 95 mph. If you have a slower club head speed then you need to look to composite materials. The result of lower swing speed is less yardage on each shot. You want to find some way to offset your lower swing speed. And that is where the composite shaft material comes in. The composite shaft will give you longer drives than you will normally get with your low swing speed and steel shafted golf clubs.
By contrast, those with good distances on their shots, will fare much better by using a steel shaft that will give them some touch and control on their shots.
Determining your own swing speed is not difficult. If you don't have a local pro shop with the right equipment, you can find small microwave Doppler radar devices that are run by AAA batterieson the market. You simply set it near your tee and swing away.
So there you have it. Just a few quick tips but ones that will start you down the path to finding the right clubs for your game. Take the time to try different clubs and see how they hinder or help your game. If possible, even try different types of composite shafts. Different manufacturers will have different standards for shaft flex and so on. Check out as many as possible and take note of how each works for you.
If you implement these tips and work on them, you will be certain to develop a better drive within a short period of time. Just keep on practicing and working on your improvement. It's only a matter of time before your scores begin to drop.
Get the perfect golf grip and improve your golf game!
Some Golf Ideas
The Grain affects the roll! Grain is mostly seen on the fringe of the green. Putts with grain roll faster and farther, against the grain slower and not so far. Check from both sides of your ball as well as behind the ball when lining up. The appearance of the grass shows the grain. If it looks shiny the grain is away from you. If dull, the grain is towards you.
...World Golf
Many swing faults occur from an improper setup. This can cause unnecessary adjustments during the swing. Taking care to position the ball, feet, hips and shoulders properly ensures building a good swing foundation. Testing has shown golfers with open stances show no more tendency to slice than golfers with closed stances. The open stance may give the golfers a little more opportunity to slice, because it allows a little more freedom in the downswing and follow-though. The square stance is used by most successful golfers. Beginners should start with a square stance. As you advance, you can experiment with the advantages of other stances. Avoid extreme stances. Experiment to find the stance that works best for you. Take care to set up consistently on all normal shots.
...PGA of America
There are a number of possible reasons for hitting behind the ball. If you are not shifting your weight properly on the downswing, from the back leg to the front leg, your swing will bottom out before the club gets to the ball. Also, if you do not keep your head steady, you do not know where your swing will bottom out. Also, if you do not keep your leading arm reasonably straight, the arc of your swing will vary, so you can improve your consistency by focusing on these 3 areas.
...US Golf Association
Torque It Up!
A good backswing creates torque and is achieved by rotating the body away from the ground using the feet as an anchor. Except for unusually flexible players, the knees, hips, core, back and shoulders should all be used to create torque. Once you get the feel of creating leverage against the ground, your power will increase significantly.
...Golf Tips magazine
Putting Tip
Wanna be a good putter? Here are some basic fundamentals you should be practicing.
--Get a putter with a very distinct line marked on it to indicate the target line and practice with a chalk line. You can get a chalk line at any hardware store for 5 or 6 bucks, and it's as valuable a training aid as there is anywhere. Find a putt on the practice green that is straight. Snap a chalk line down from about 5 or 6 feet to the middle of the cup. Make sure that the entire length of the line on your putter is exactly on the chalk line. Start making putts. This will train your eyes to "see square" precisely.
--Keep your the pressure in your hands soft and constant throughout the stroke. Sensitivity is obviously a huge part of putting. If your hands are tight on the grip you are diminishing your sensitivity - period. Also, if your grip pressure changes during the stroke, it's probably not "a stroke" but more likely a jab, flinch, spasm, push, hit ... well, you get the point -- good luck with that kind of technique.
--There is no independent action in the hands. Nothing could be more logical: If you do indeed have the putter face aligned precisely, as in the first point above, the last thing you'd want to do is to change the position of the face. Therefore, your hands should not be moving independently of your arms and shoulders. To see if your hands are moving, as a drill try watching your hands very carefully (instead of the ball) a few times. You'll see what your hands are doing quite easily.
There are many more (seemingly endless) details about putting, of course, but if you turn these fundamental concepts into habits it will take you a long way toward being a consistently good putter
...PGA professional golf
Headline News About Golf
James Lawton: Masters class in commitment exposes hollow heart of the 'golden generation'
Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100
<p>According to his proud countryman Gary Player, Trevor Immelman has a swing like Ben Hogan. This was unquestionably a key factor in the 28-year-old South African's four-day march to a Masters' Green Jacket, but the most vital one of all was to be found closer to the ribcage from where he had a tumour removed a few months ago. The man from Cape Town may have had his nerve challenged briefly by a few roars hinting that the Tiger was stirring finally at Amen Corner, but his heart never wavered.</p>
Learn How to Train Like a TOUR Player on Golf Fitness Academy
Mon, 08 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT
Balance Basics
Mon, 15 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Learn the basics of balance and how this relates to improving your game.
golf club reviews | golf instruction | golf putter
Labels: womens golf clubs
