Expert Golf Tips

Keeping your balance sounds very simple. The key to playing good golf is keeping good balance. Balance is much more than just having the correct stance.

Having optimum balance depends on three things – how you see things, inner ear signals, and the signals that come from your muscles and joints. Sometimes one of these things gets out of order and this causes a balance disorder

When your head position changes, your balance can be thrown off and this is a wonderful reason for you to keep your head still when you are swinging!

If you suffer from migraines, this can add to balance problems. If you have chronic migraines then you need to consult your physician. Migraines can cause difficulties to your golf game that you have never thought of.

Before you spend hundreds of dollars on new golf equipment to help your golf game, evaluate the medications you are taking to see if any of them may affect your balance. “Ear poisoning” can severely affect your balance. “Ear poisoning” can be a side effect of some medicines, including the antibiotic gentamicin. Half of the people who take this medication have the side effects of “ear poisoning.”

Taking diuretics can cause problems too. If you start to feel dizzy, then you need to consult a physician immediately. Dizziness can sometimes become a lifelong problem, so you need to get help as soon as possible.

If you are having minor balance problems, there are some very simple ways that you can improve it. Kick a ball around your backyard with your kids. Set up an obstacle course to weave in and out of or have your kids set one up for you!

A balance board can also help you increase your center of gravity. Affordable boards can be found on eBay. Using a balance board can be a challenging and fun thing to do!

Flexibility training can also help increase your balance by releasing muscle tension also. Simple yoga stretches to loosen up tight muscles are also a good thing to try.

A yoga ball or exercise ball is another great tool to try. Sitting on the ball takes balance and concentration. Try one for part of the day and then work up gradually until you can sit on it for 30 minutes. Ball exercises are great for developing proper posture, back mobility, and body core strength.

Balance is a necessity to have a great golf game and it is very important to work on it consistently. If you work hard enough you could help your swing and your score!

Comments(0)

Playing golf relaxed and confidently makes for a much better game than being frightened at the thought of the hazards. Fear is not something that you should take along with you to the driving range.

When a good player begins to have problems, they are usually mental in nature. Clear thinking should be your main goal in playing golf. When you start to feel fearful, clear thinking is not possible.

If you can change your thinking, you can help your game. There is no need to worry about why the ball went the way it did. Keep your mind on the next shot and focus.

A major problem for some golfers is that they are worried what others will think if they make a bad shot. If you are concentrating on what others think, then you are not concentrating on your shot, the ball, your swing, or the basics.

Is it necessary to have the approval of others? Is hitting a bad shot going to completely ruin your life?

It is the theory of some psychologists that we become a composite of the five people that we are with the most. You may need to find more relaxed golfers to play and practice with.

If you play golf with a perfectionist, this may not be very much fun. Why ruin the golf game for yourself? Find people to play with that enjoy the game. The way you play will improve because you are having more fun, are less keyed up, and are able to swing better.

If you concentrate completely on your game, this can help you to beat your fear. Ben Hogan’s key to concentrate was “to ignore the gallery and the other golfers, and to shut my mind against everything but my own game.”

Worrying about what others think may make your game inconsistent. You are careful one second and aggressive the next.

What is the key? You need to focus on your target and not who you are with or where you are at. Ignore everything around you. Concentrate fully on your game.

Perfectionism can ruin your game enjoyment and cause ulcers. Great players rework their skills each year. They are always refining their game in little ways, which add up. You are not always going to play a great game and you will never play a perfect game no matter how many skills you master. If you will work to improve the little problems, then your golf game will get better and better.

Keeping a wide smile helps to relax your face and will help to decrease anxiety also. Make smiling a habit before you hit the ball instead of tensing your face.

Mistakes should stay in the past. Tiger Woods even says, “I hit it and forget it.” Forget about the shot and move on, because you cannot go back and replay it.

Keep your mind off what others will think about your shots. If you can get over that fear, then your game will definitely improve! When you play your next golf game, keep a clear mind and think confidently.

You will soon overcome your fear and become a master of golf!

Comments(0)

Comments(0)

By: Alastair Canaway

The alignment is an absolutely crucial and vital part to any golfer’s game. You swing round your body, therefore if your body is offline, your swing in turn will be off line and out of sync, resulting in a poor swing and a poor shot, usually ending up deep in the rough.

When setting up to the ball, firstly ensure the clubface is square to the ‘ball to pin line’ (the line between the ball and the pin), and ensure that your shoulders, hips and feet are all parallel to the ‘ball to pin line’, if these 3 are not aligned and one is out, a good body turn is ruined with a poor swing resulting.

When training, on the driving range or wherever you can practise, a useful technique for lining up is to place a club on the floor and check that you’re your feet, hips and shoulders line up with each other, the shoulder alignment is particularly crucial because your body turn starts with your shoulders.

Ideally, you should be lining your body up slightly to the left of the target (slightly to the right for left hand players), as opposed to trying to line your body up with the target itself.

On the course a simple test to see if this is the case, is to look at the target, if you can see your left shoulder, then you are lined up to too far to the right (visa versa for lefthanders), your shoulder should be just out of sight.

Poor Alignment can have several affects, these are all negative. Aligning too far to the left most commonly leads to the slicing of the ball, this occurs because you are not parallel to the line running from ball to pin. As a result the backswing is limited so an ‘out to in’ swing results. As a consequence the club face is slightly open on impact which generates side spin on the ball. This leads to the common problem which is the slice which I will explain in another article.

If you align too far to the right, the opposite will take place and a hook will occur due to the ‘in to out’ swing of the club, although quite common with beginners and inexperienced players.

Often they will subconsciously become aware of this and try to adjust mid-swing, over adjusting by opening up the clubface as impact approaches. This again results in the slicing of the ball, which is very difficult to control and usually leads to ‘the rough’.

Alignment is an often overlooked and crucial part to any golfer’s game and therefore must be addressed for you to succeed at any level of golf. For as long as you’re alignment is out, you will never be able to consistently hit straight accurate shots and will increasingly find yourself hooking or slicing into the rough, turning those pars into bogies and taking your round from a 75 to 85.

So get that alignment sorted and go shoot some birdies.

Discover amazing free golf tips and secrets to help you take your game to the next level and shave a minimum of five shots off your best round. Visit : http://golf-tipsandsecrets.blogspot.com

Comments(0)

By: William Breland

Fuel for the golfer.

“A good diet can not make an average athlete great, but a poor diet can make a great athlete average.”

-David Costill, Ball State University, Indiana

Golf is a lifetime sport that both men and women of all ages enjoy participating in. However, for the competitive golfer, it is a test of the athlete’s physical and mental endurance. While equipment and physical fitness are important to the game, a balanced diet is often the most overlooked aspect that all serious golfers must consider.

DEFINING A BALANCED DIET

For golfers, a balanced diet begins with eating at least 50% of your total caloric intake from carbohydrates such as whole grains, breads, pastas, rice, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred energy source during activity. It fuels the brain and nervous system, preserves protein while helping to burn fat. Consuming carbohydrates during activity helps maintain blood glucose levels, allowing the golfer to have improved concentration.

Protein is another important macronutrient to incorporate into the balanced diet. Have 6 to 8 ounces of protein daily, and choose lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, round or loin cuts of beef, beans or legumes. Protein is needed for growth and repair of muscles, and helps regulate body processes as enzymes and hormones.

Fat is the final macronutrient in the balanced diet. Fat, like carbohydrate, provides fuel for working muscles, but it is a more concentrated fuel source. Recommended fat intake is the same for athletes as for all healthy people – no more than 30% of your total calories coming from fat. This is approximately 4-5 servings of fat (based on 2000 calories). One serving of fat equals 1 teaspoon of oil or margarine, 6 nuts, or 2 teaspoons of peanut butter.

FILL UP ON FLUIDS

Hydration is an imperative component in the successful golfers game. Consuming adequate fluids before, during and after playing golf is beneficial. Even a slight decrease in bodyweight due to dehydration can affect your performance and result in fatigue & mental dullness. Consume approximately 8 oz of fluid before tee time. While golfing consume 4-8 oz of fluid every15-20 minutes or at every hole. If celebrating with alcoholic beverages is planned at the 19th hole, alternate fluid (nonalcoholic) with alcoholic drinks. Alcohol acts as a diuretic and actually increases fluid loss, so it is not a good choice for the replacement of fluids lost during the round of golf.

To help your performance try these nutrition tips as you eat for “peak performance!”

BEFORE THE MORNING ROUND

1 cup oatmeal

1 banana or 1 cup orange juice

1 cup skim milk or 1 cup nonfat yogurt

2 slices whole-wheat toast

2 teaspoons margarine

AFTER THE 9TH HOLE

12 ounces Sports Drink

2 tablespoons peanut butter and crackers

or

1 piece of fruit

or

1 granola or cereal bar

POST GAME

Don’t forget to re-hydrate as mentioned above!

3-4 ounces grilled chicken breast

1 cup brown rice

1 cup steamed broccoli

1 cup mixed greens salad

2 teaspoons low fat dressing

1 cup fruit salad

These are just a few tips to jump start proper fueling as an important and integral part of your training program. Each athlete is unique and has different training schedules, food preferences, lifestyle factors, and weight concerns. For a more individualized assessment and recommendations for your needs submit a rquest at: www.GoLoGolFitness.com

William Breland has been a Physical Therapist for over 25 years. He is the ONLY Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Therapy and Touring Golf Professional in the United States.

GoLo Golf Grub is a trademark of GoLo Golf, LLC, http://www.GoLoGolFitness.com

william@gologolfitness.com

Comments(1)

By: Alastair Canaway

The correct grip is a key fundamental component of a golfer’s game and is required to have a consistently good straight game, giving you the ability to shoot low scores with ease.

When the grip is faulty, poor shots often result along with an inconsistent and unreliable game. Therefore it is essential for your game that your grip is correct if you want to take your golf to the next level.

Firstly place the club in your left (opposite for lefthanders) hand, close your left hand around the grip as if you were shaking somebody’s hand. Your thumb should be pointing down the grip, slightly to the right of centre.

Then bring in the right hand, firstly interlock the little finger of your right hand with the forefinger of your left hand. The underside of the grip should be placed on the joints of the second and third fingers of the right hand. Your right thumb should also be pointing down the grip, while your right palm should be facing towards the target with your left hand facing away from the target.

Two V’s should be formed by the thumb and forefinger of each hand, these should both point somewhere between your right shoulder and eyes.

When holding the club, the club must be held firmly but with the minimum of effort. Having the correct grip allows your hands to work freely with the utmost control while a poor grip leads to a lack of club head control.

Key Points:
• Your arms and hands are relaxed.
• Your left forefinger is linked with the little finger of right hand, 2 or 3 knuckles should be visible.
• The V’s created by the forefinger and thumb on each hand should point be to between your right shoulder and eyes. These V’s should be pretty much parallel to each other.
• The grip should be comfortable yet held firmly with little effort, it is vital that the club head does not open or close on impact.

To test that you have a good grip, it should feel as though both your hands work together as if one. When you lift the club and move it, your hands should feel comfortable and secure.

Problems and cures for slightly faulty grips: You may find that you are slicing the ball; this could be due to a problem with your grip, (although it may be due to other reasons mentioned in my other article that aims to solve the slice) try rotating your grip slightly clockwise around the grip; also try holding the club more in the palm of your left hand.

If you have problems with hooking the ball, make a conscious effort to feel the ends of the fingers on your right hand pushing upwards through impact with the ball. This should help prevent you from closing the clubface on impact and so helps prevent you from hooking the ball.

Discover amazing free golf tips and secrets to help you take your game to the next level and shave a minimum of five shots off your best round. Visit : http://golf-tipsandsecrets.blogspot.com

Comments(0)

By: Chuck Evans

THE TRIAD - CHUCK EVANS, G.S.E.D.

As players we NEED to understand that we MUST control the three parts of the golf club in order to strike quality golf shots. These three parts are:

The clubface

The clubhead

The clubshaft

These three parts MUST be controlled through three Stations - from Address, to the Top, and to the Finish. You’ll notice that Impact is NOT included in these locations. Impact does not have the rank of a station simply because it happens if you have controlled the club through the three Stations.

1. The left hand controls the clubface and its job is to impart “Hinge Action” to the face supplying direction, trajectory, and curvature. These three “Hinge Actions” are known as (1)Vertical - a wall, (2) Horizontal - a floor, and (3)Angled - somewhere in between.

In a Geometrically correct golf stroke (ideal application) the Horizontal Hinge Action is used. This action works just like a door that is opening and closing. While on a Horizontal Plane it is clear to see that there is NO turning or rolling in either direction. But on an Inclined Plane of motion there is a turn to the right and a roll to the left.

2. The right hand - more specifically the first joint of the right index finger - controls the clubhead, its job is to sense where the clubhead is at all times and to direct the action of the clubhead. Using what is known as the “Aiming Point Concept” the direction and point of location in the downstroke varies according to hand speed, and the club being used. The shorter the club the more in front of the golf ball the “Aiming Point” is.

For example, when hitting a greenside bunker shot the player should be looking at a spot behind the golf ball. This is because that’s where we want the club to strike the sand. The same principle applies here. A wedge for example would be in front of the ball. A 5 iron would be at the ball, and a Driver may be behind the ball.

3. Finally, the clubshaft controls the Plane. The Plane is the angle that the club moves back and down on. It can stay on the same Inclined Plane back and down, shift to another angle, or even have several shifts during the stroke. The simplest is to NOT shift at all. The next easiest is to only shift this plane angle once, then two shifts, then three shifts, etc. Annika Sorenstam, Tiger (when he’s on), Adam Scott, Michelle Wie, and host of others use either a “Zero” or “single” shift in their procedures. Nick Price, Nick Faldo and others use a “double” shift while Jim Furyk uses a “customized” plane and multiple shifts.

You can use any of these and obviously play great golf, but remember - ANY PLANE SHIFT IS DANGEROUS!

Learn to control these three parts of the golf club and you will be on your way to golfing “Nirvana”.

For more information on how you can learn how to control the club and your game or get your FREE Sample Copy of our eBook, “How To Build YOUR Golf Swing” - visit us at www.ChuckEvansGolf.com

Chuck Evans is one of only 31 Teachers in the world to hold the designation of “Doctorate in Golf Stroke Engineering”, he is one of the most highly sought after instructors in the world not only by players but other teachers as well and is known as the Teacher of Teachers!

Chuck has appeared on numerous golf talk shows, written and published instructional articles in local, regional, and national golf publications. His DVD, “60 Days To Game Improvement” has sold in excess of 10,000 copies and his new eBook, “How To Build YOUR Golf Swing” is in the library of amateurs and Teaching Profesional alike. He is also appeared as the featured instructor for education classes regarding the golf swing at various PGA Sections and Chapters around the country and has been nominated numerous times for Golf Digest’s Top 50 Teachers and Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers.

In addition Chuck has held the positions of Director of Schools for the PGA Tour Golf Academy and the Director of Instruction for the United States Golf Institute.

You can reach Chuck through his Golf Academy in Mesa Arizona by calling 480.924.1350, by email at chuck@chuckevansgolf.com or through the website www.chuckevansgolf.com

Comments(0)

“About Golf Tips: The most in-depth instruction magazine available. Every issue is packed with expert advice from the world’s top pros guaranteed to save strokes off your score. If you’re serious about improving your score, you need Golf Tips. ”

Comments(0)