Golf vs Football

photo credit: mstorz   They call golf a “gentelmen’s game.” Players have exhibited a high standard of etiquette since the game began decades ago. Players even call penalties on themselves. The fans are reverant towards players and the golf course itself. Tournaments are quiet places, silence is golden. Fans never bug the players.

Football is called “America’s Sport.: It’s a national pastime to watch football on Sunday afternoon. Violence is an intregal part of the sport, however. Players train to be violent. Fans become unruly and often do, it’s as close to a gladiator battle as it gets (no offense).

Most golfers whether amateur or Pro, will agree that there is no comparison between the two
sports. Golf remains a gentlemen’s game and football, well, I’ll let you be the judge!

Left Arm Control

photo credit: kevindooley How big of a part does the lead arm (left arm for right handers) play in the golf swing? Many amateurs do not fully understand the answer to this important question. The answer is that the lead arm plays the dominant role in the golf swing.

The lead arm controls the entire swing. As the downswing starts the right arm (for right handers) moves into action about half way down on the forward swing, it’s job is to generate maximum clubhead speed. All sorts of bad things can happen during the golf shot if the right arm is used improperly. To better understand lead arm usage, try hitting shots with just your lead arm and keep the other off the club completely. This simple exercise will work wonders for your game.

Handicap Reduction

photo credit: eMaringolo One of the best ways to reduce your handicap is to improve your pitch and chip shots. Let’s face it, the average amateur tends to miss a lot of greens in regulation. If you improve your short game missing a green almost becomes a moot point. Granted, you may not get many birdies but you will sure save a lot of pars.

PGA Tour Players stay in competition because they are constantly making great saves with their pitch and chip shots, missing a green in regulation is no big deal. Think of how effortless a 40 yard (or closer) pitch shot is? It certainly isn’t nearly as difficult as a 190 yard 4 iron shot. You really shouldn’t need a reason to spend a lot of time with the short shots.

Golf Biomechanics

photo credit: darkpatator   Biomechanics is the analysis of body motion. It is the studying process of the physics of the golf swing through the use of very sophisticated video technology. Torque, produced by the coiling (backswing) of the body creates stored energy. This stored energy, when released through the downswing, generates clubhead speed which is the determining factor in distance.

The average golfer generates a swing speed of between 80 to 85 mph., whereas, the professional swings at over 100 mph. The reason for the extra swing speed, as determined from biomechanics research, is through the use of proper exercises which strengthen the muscle groups used in the swing. Building these muscle groups can not only add distance but prevent serious injury.

Golf Digest’s #1 Rated Golf Course

photo credit: SD Dirk Every year since 1985 GOLF DIGEST MAGAZINE produces a list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Since 1985, Pine Valley Golf Club has been number 1. Pebble Beach Golf Links made the top of the list in 2001.

Pine Valley Golf Club is located in Camden County, New Jersey. Founded in 1913, Pine Valley included 184 acres of rolling pinelands. The course is a private country club which only allows women to play after 1:00pm on Sundays.

Pine Valley is so popular that recently two club members were suspended for charging their guests for their rounds. The fee they charged was $10,000.00. In spite of it’s number 1 rating there were only two major tournaments held there, the 1936 and 1985 Amateur Walker Cup championships.

Golf Handicap Calculation

photo credit: danperry.comIdeally, when you calculate your handicap you have to record your last 20 rounds of golf (5 rounds are permissable). If your handicap goes down to 0 you will be considered a scratch golfer which means you will shoot par on a regular basis. If you have a 15 handicap you are considered a bogey golfer and if you are below 0 you have a “plus” handicap. A professional golfer has no actual handicap rating.

There are several variables when calculating your handicap: your scores from your most recent rounds, the golf course rating and the golf course slope rating. These numbers determine your “handicap differential.” Since we all have different skill levels it pays to know your own handicap especially in competitive golf.

Bobby Eldridge: PGA Professional

Golf Professional Bobby Eldridge (see above photo) is one of the foremost golf instructors in America. He makes his home in Scottsdale, Arizona where he directs the instructional program at PurePoint Golf, one of Scottsdale Arizona’s best known golf educational programs. The PurePoint Golf program covers every aspect of the game from the biomechanics of the golf swing to swing analysis.

Eldridge, who for years operated his own teaching schools throughout the southwestern United States, has his own series of instructional DVD’s. His program covers all aspects of the game with a very simple and easy to understand format. The DVD’s are available online at www.purepointgolf.com.

Golf Equipment

photo credit: chispita_666 If you want to play to your potential you must use the right equipmentl. Golf is hard enough to learn, using the wrong equipment can only make it harder.

Consider the following when purchasing your next set of clubs: Make sure the clubs feel good to you. If you sole enough clubs it won’t take you long to decide which “feels” best. Your next decision is whether to choose graphite shafts or steel.

Don’t forget to have your clubs fitted. Many players will invest $1,500.00 for a new set of clubs and never bother to be fitted. Don’t make the game any harder by not taking the time to select the right gear. Using the right clubs will make all the difference. Check out the following web-site www.pgatoursuperstore.com

Putt Like a Pro

photo credit: Brian J. McDermott   Having a good case of the Yips is certainly no fun at all. How do I know? Because I have had this disasterous malady. Most golfers have a difficult time explaining the Yips, not having had them they can only guess.

Most golfers go through putting “dry spells.” These dry spells are a far cry from full blown Yips. One of the ways you can identify the Yips is when you stand over your putt and are actually afraid to hit the ball. This lack of courage may persist but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Seeing your local PGA Instructor is your first step. Spend at least 50% of your practice period on the putting green. Lastly, the next time you step up to a putt, start praying !!

Golf With a Smile

photo credit: Pilgrim On Wheels   One of the biggest roadblocks for amateur golfers is their own inability to manage their emotions, especially their temper. There isn’t any doubt that an individual’s desire to do better can cause anger when mistakes are made. It happens to everyone even the best of PGA Tour Players.

Losing your temper can create all kinds of problems. When angry, the first tendency is to lose your swing tempo and we all know what that means. It can also have an adverse effect on the other members of your group. Nobody likes to hear someone else’s complaints. Every golfer makes errors and that is a fact of life. While on the course put a smile on your face and keep it there…if you can!

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