Riding on golf carts is widely practiced in golf nowadays that those white carts have become a regular feature in any golf course. Now, you rarely see golfers walk from one end of the course to another as what has traditionally been done.

But walking the golf course gives immense benefits. For starters, it comprises the exercise portion of golf. There is no need to mention the various research studies that cite the benefits of walking. It lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels and contributes to reducing one’s risk of cardiovascular and other diseases. Taking 10,000 steps a day has been shown to significantly lower one’s risk of certain cancers. The breadth and width of a golf course makes it an ideal place for walking and reaping the benefits thereby. It also allows you to enjoy the scenic view of the entire course.

Another reason why it’s better to walk the golf course than ride it is that your golfing shoes create far less damage on the grass than motorized carts do. These golf carts create dents on fairways and roughs. They don’t even spare areas around bunkers and putting greens. Even when they’re not supposed to enter these places, accidents do happen and golf carts are driven right into them on a surprisingly regular basis. If you need to ask why you should care if a golf course is damage, then you’re not a golfer at heart. Scratches, dents and wayward grasses brought about by carts not only destroy the golfing environment, they can also potentially damage your game if left un-repaired.

Finally, walking greatly improves your game in that it allows you to mull over your next shot. It enables to think about what club you’ll use next and how best you can sink the ball in the hole. While riding with golf buddies in a cart can be fun for chatting, it wastes valuable time in the process- time that could have been better spent at strategizing your game.

This isn’t to say that one shouldn’t ride on golf carts. A cart can certainly be advantageous at times. But walking has a far greater advantage for the golf course, the golfer and the golfer’s game in general when weighed against the golf cart that for otherwise healthy golfers, taking a ride around the golf course just doesn’t seem worth it.

Aside from putting the ball in the hole, being able to hit the golf ball far is one of the aims of every golfer. Unfortunately, this seems to exist more in the mind than in real practice for most, especially those who are still starting off with their game. Hitting far is also a vital skill to be learned and practiced if you want to see improvements in your game.

Here are some tips to help you hit the golf ball further:

1. Keep your stroke wide. Always remember that the wider your stroke is, the further your ball is going to get. Provide a little more space between you and the ball. Your stroke must be wide from the top and even wider through the ball. Remember to not accelerate too quickly from the top of your swing. Accelerating past the ball is going to give you more length and hence will enable you to hit the ball further.

1. One fundamental key to hitting the ball further is to ensure that the club head is at its maximum speed when it impacts the ball. To achieve maximum club head speed, proper release and correct transfer of weight must be observed. The 90 degree rule must be remembered here: Maintain a 90 degree angle between your left arm and the shaft of the club near the top as you swing back your club. Maintain this through the first part of your swing so that it creates a centrifugal force that makes the hands release near your right thigh. This naturally results in rotating through the hitting zone which creates the maximum speed for your club head.

1. Exercise primes your body to hit the ball far. You can’t do the first two if you’re not properly conditioned for it. A wide, fluid stroke is based on flexibility which can be achieved only through regular exercises. All golfers must make stretches and core conditioning exercises a part of their daily regimen even when they’re not on the green. By strengthening the muscles of the arms, back, abdomen and pelvis, you are able to make more efficient body movements that will make it easier for your body to move and rotate. Exercise also limbers up the body and loosens it. The looser you are, the wider are your movements going to be.

Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to hitting the ball further in no time!

Perfecting your golf game entails a lot of practice. You need to train your body so that you develop the proper golf stance and the correct golf swing. Even such minute details as your golf grip needs time to be practiced. But after you have practiced your technique and strategy, another important aspect of golf is your mental attitude towards it. This is crucial to your game since one lapse of concentration is enough to ruin your chances of sinking the putt. Focus is vital in a successful game.

Most of the time, the intensity of your focus largely depends on how confident you are of your golf abilities. If you want to know how to develop your mental confidence, read on.

You can never be confident mentally if you don’t prepare physically. Training is important. If you keep on practicing your stance, your grip and your swing everyday, you’ll have the proper techniques and strategies down pat. It will eventually become a part of your whole system, as they say, you’ll begin to “breathe, live and eat golf.” Once you know that you’ve adequately prepared for your game, you can be confident that you’ll be playing it right and playing it well.

Closely related to the first one is the constant development of areas in your game where you’re not good at. If you honestly feel that you could do better in terms of hitting the ball into the fairways, then by all means practice that. If you can still improve your putting in the greens, then keep at it. You can watch instructional videos or games of great golfers to get ideas for techniques that could improve your own. Knowing that you have done your best in improving your game in areas where you are most weak will certainly go a long way towards strengthening your psychological makeup in any golf game.

Visualization is key to rock solid mental confidence. How far do you want to go in golf? If you’re playing in a tournament, imagine yourself sinking the putt and ultimately winning the trophy. Imagine the trajectory of your ball. Visualize what you’ll wear, the feel of the grass on the green, the final cheers of victory. The more vivid your imagination, the more effective it’s going to be.

Finally, if things don’t go as you hoped they would, go easy on yourself. As long as you did your best and enjoyed every minute of your game, then you’ll still have the mental confidence knowing that this was just the preparation for letting you win in the next golf tournament you play.

Body mechanics are important in the everyday activities we do. When we carry our bodies properly, we prevent strain and injury to our muscles and joints. Lifting objects, walking and running become easier and more efficient.

This is also true in the game of golf. Basic body mechanics like proper posture, alignment and control are the crucial first lessons to be learned. It must come before techniques on making the proper golf swing since it is the foundation of your golf game. If you know how to do a proper golf stance, then you’re already halfway into perfecting your swing. This is because the correct golf stance will not only give you that much needed balance, it will also enable you to give power to your every swing.

A correct golf stance begins with good balance. To achieve good equilibrium, your feet must be the proper distance apart depending on the kind of golf club you use. If you’re using mid irons, place them shoulder width apart. For long irons and woods, make them 5 centimeters wider and for short irons, make them 5 centimeters narrower. How you point your foot matters too. So you can smoothly rotate during your downswing, your front feet should point 20 to 40 degrees towards the target while your back foot should be square to it.

Another crucial point to your golf stance is proper weight distribution. First time golfers make the mistake of putting their weight on their heels or toes. What you should do, however, is to keep your weight centered on the balls of each foot. You must also distribute your weight evenly depending on the kind of club you’re using. Distribute your weight evenly on both feet if you’re playing mid irons. If you’re using the short iron, 60% of your weight should be on your front foot. The opposite occurs when you’re on long irons and woods. Here, about 60% of your weight should be on your back foot.

Flex your knees slightly as you begin to address the ball. They must be directly over the balls of your feet. Let your hands hang slightly forward of your midline. Keep your elbows pointed towards your hips so that it forms a sort of a triangle with your shoulders and arms.

To establish alignment, keep your shoulders, hips, knees and feet in the same line as the target line. To get this, lay the club on the ground, pointing towards the target. Position your toes just off the club then see to it that all else is in line with your feet.

The foundation to a powerful golf swing is a proper golf stance. Take the time to practice your stance and you’ll reap the benefits of a good swing to give you a good game for life.

Today, golf is synonymous with Tiger Woods. Whatever his misdemeanors, Woods has certainly brought golf to the consciousness of more people. Now, many are wondering what the real deal is with individuals walking all over a huge expanse of green trying to shoot a ball in a tiny hole from far away. If you want to get to know some golf basics, read on.

Considered a precision sport, the whole object of golf is to hit the ball into each hole on a golf course with the least number of strokes. Golf courses can either have 9 or 18 holes and are so designed that certain obstacles make the game a bit more challenging. There obstacles can be in the form of water hazards like lakes and rivers, man-made hazards like bunkers (sand-filled shallow pits) and other hazards like dense vegetation. How the grass is cut also affects the difficulty of the game. Those in the fairways (the expanse between the tee box and the green) are even and makes for good hitting. Those in the rough (areas between the fairway and the out-of-bounds markers and the fairways and the greens) are high and uneven and makes hitting a bit of a challenge. The grass is cut very short in the putting green, such that it almost has a carpet-like quality. This makes the ball roll long distances and can work for or against the player depending on how far he or she is from the hole.

A round of golf is played based on the holes in a particular order as determined by the layout of the golf course. There are 18 holes in one round in a standard golf course. Where a nine-hole course is used, one standard round is comprised of two consecutive nine-hole rounds. A golf game starts when a golf ball (usually a white pockmarked ball) is hit with a golf club on the tee box. In long shots, golfers usually put the ball on a tee or a small peg used to elevate the ball slightly above the ground.

An initial shot to drive the ball to the fairway is usually a long distance shot and is commonly known as a “drive.” Once there, the golfer strikes it as many times as needed using such shots as a lay-up, an approach or a pitch. The aim of the golfer is to bring the ball to the putting green, where he or she then attempts to “sink the putt.” In golf, the player aims to putt the ball into hole in as few strokes as possible.

Because of the vast expanse of a golf course, players may use golf carts or motorized mobiles to get from one hole to another. Others may choose to walk not only to exercise but to enjoy the scenic and relaxing view of the course. Caddies (assistants who take care of the golfer’s clubs and other equipment) may accompany individuals. They may also give advice (if they are able) to the golfer they’re working for, not to the competing player.

In a round of golf, it’s inevitable that you will make a shot that puts your ball in a sand trap. Even professional golfers also experience having to get their balls from a lie in the sand bunker. Amateur players often get more than their share of getting their balls in a trap and as such, it’s part of every golfer’s training to practice how to get their balls out of them. Here are some tips to improving your bunker shots:

Using a neutral grip, that is, one where the back of the left hand and the right palm face parallel to the target line, so that the clubface will remain open as it slides under the ball is the first step towards improving your bunker shot. While opening the club face works if you hit most bunker shots, it is much better to aim the clubface downwards slightly to the left of the hole in order for your spin to move the ball from left to right after it comes in contact with the sand from your club.

Try to form an angle between your feet and the target line. A 20 to 30 degree angle should be enough since this will enable you to make the ball emerge out of the target line higher and softer. Experiment with angles and you will eventually find one that will suit your style best.

Keeping the face of your club square to the target line, make sure that you swing your club across it. In this position, your club should hit the sand about a couple of inches behind the ball, slicing under it to enable it to land on the green. Your club doesn’t actually hit the ball– it’s the pressure of the sand that actually gets the ball out of the bunker. In doing your bunker shot swing, ensure that your arms and forearms are completely relaxed. By keeping them loose and fluid, your wrist will help make a shot that spins out of the trap and stops in the green. Your feet must be firmly placed in the sand for balance and stability.

The only way to perfect your bunker shot is to practice. Try to mind your stance and feet position as you conduct your practices. Practice on angles and swings so that you know which technique and form enables you to successfully get your ball out of the sand trap.

Happy golfing!

Contemplating a gift to give to your junior novice golfer? There are many options to choose from but if you want to further inculcate love of the game to your young golf pro, then you have to be a bit more discerning in your gifts. Here’s a mini-guide of the things you can consider giving your junior golfer.

One of the best gifts that you can give your little Tiger is an instructional book and DVD set of the game, preferably one featuring his or her favorite player. This ensures that he has a thorough understanding of golf. Another great gift that you can give together with golf instructional material is a golf lesson from a certified golf professional. Your local golf course will most likely offer golf instruction to your junior golfer. By giving him lessons, you are setting a solid foundation for his golf game. Besides, undergoing the rigors of golf through formal lessons will give him the opportunity to decide for himself if it is really something he wants to pursue for the long-term.

Another obvious gift that you can give to your junior golfer is his first set of golf clubs and some golf balls. You don’t have to get the most expensive or the fanciest brand in the market. They will outgrow their golf clubs faster than you can say “Tee-off!” so it’s best to get a brand new but reasonably-priced golf club set. Don’t forget to include a cool golf bag in which to place the clubs in. Golf balls are also good complements to a set of golf clubs. Again, you don’t have to get an expensive set inasmuch as your junior golfer will most probably lose them in the course of his games. What you can do is perhaps buy  him a new set with his name engraved on it, and cheaper used golf balls for everyday practice (used golf balls are still packaged but since they have been used once or twice before but have been cleaned up, they are marketed as second hand used golf balls).

To add confidence to your up and coming golf pro, make sure you give him golf accessories. He will certainly feel like a “real” golfer if he has a golf glove on. Tees and ball markers make great gifts since he can also use these during his game. You can also give him a set of golf apparel– a collared shirt and slacks or Bermuda shorts will definitely make him feel like a pro. Golf shoes are part of the package, too. But it’s best to bring him to the sporting goods store so he can choose the one that fits him very well for those long hours of standing and walking on the golf course.

Your junior golfer will surely enjoy the game even more with your practical gifts.

If you are to give a gift to a golfer what should it be? This is oftentimes a difficult question especially if you need to work on a specific budget. However, there are so many things that you can give a golfer regardless of how much money you want to shell out for a gift.

When you have a big budget to spare, you can consider a more elaborate gift idea. How about buying the golfer a weekend getaway to a famous golf course? Of course, this should come with a round or two of the game complete with dinners and more. In the United States, there are many PGA -rated courses in superb vacation getaways. There are also other equally fantastic destinations of the same kind in Europe and if you are working on a particularly large budget, the treat can be for the two of you.

However, if the budget is a little modest, then consider something less expensive but one that the golfer can use in pursuing his sport. Think about buying him a golf lesson. If your golfer is a beginner who is just trying to perfect his swings, then hire somebody who can teach him how to do it properly. If your budget is still not enough to get your golfer a golf lesson, then try getting something more inexpensive. What about a golf basket? This is perhaps the easiest thing to do. You don’t have to really worry about what to buy in particular. It can be a combination of different golf items. Your golf basket can contain any of the following: hybrid golf clubs, golf balls sun visor, sunblock, towel, hand gloves and golf DVD instructional videos among others.

If the aforementioned still fails, your last resort would be getting him a gift certificate to his favorite golf shop. With this you need not worry about buying him something that he might not like or already has. This can also fit whatever budget you have.

In giving your golfer a gift, you don’t really have to impress him with what you will give. What is important is that you put across the message that you are giving him the support that he needs in as he engages in a sport that he loves. When it comes from the heart, he will appreciate what you will give him, whether it is something as grand as a golf vacation or something as simple as a golf ball.

Golf is an expensive game. Because of this, it is more practical for golfers who are still getting acquainted with the sport to start their foray into the game with a pre-owned set of golf clubs instead of buying brand new ones. These “used” club sets are definitely cheaper than brand new ones. And since you are still testing the waters, so to speak, to see if the game of golf is truly for you, then pre-owned golf clubs are the answer. Besides, avid golfers regularly change their clubs and once you are already hooked in the game, then you will definitely want to keep yourself upgraded. For now, however, a pre-owned golf club set is definitely recommended.

Where do you look for a pre-owned golf club set?

Going online is the most convenient method of finding used golf clubs. There are literally thousands of sites on the web selling used ones. You can compare prices and quality of the clubs offered on these sites. Online merchants like EBay and Amazon also have this golf equipment in their line. You can certainly find some of the best deals of used clubs by monitoring those that are available on these sites.

You can also look for pre-owned irons and woods through your local newspaper. Many golfers who have either bought a new set of clubs or have ceased to play golf usually advertise their used golf clubs for sale in newspapers of local or general circulation. When you meet up with the seller, determine the condition of the grips, shafts and club heads to see if it’s worth the price he is asking for it. Try to bargain for a cheaper price before buying the clubs.

You can also check your golf and sports stores. Since some of them accept trade-ins for new club sets, they also re-sell these used golf clubs at fairly reasonable prices. You can even try out these clubs to see if they fit your swing and your body type.

Finally, don’t forget to ask friends, colleagues or relatives who are into golf if they have used golf clubs that they can sell to you for cheap. Chances are, they’ll happily give this to you for free!

Golf is a gentleman’s sport. That is why etiquette is given equal importance as rules in any golf game. It’s a sign of respect to other players when you arrive a few minutes before tee-time, when you stay quiet while others are taking their shots, when you don’t stay in their putting line. It’s a sign of respect for the environment when you repair divots, rake the sand in the bunker and when you follow the cart path whenever you ride a golf cart. Collared shirts, Bermuda shorts or golf slacks aren’t considered “official golf uniform” by chance. They serve the two-fold purpose of keeping a golfer comfortable as he plays the game and at the same time ensuring that golf remains truly a gentleman’s sport both in looks and practice.

In a game of golf, premium is placed on cleanliness. From the well-manicured lawns to the tidy players, there is always an unspoken code on maintaining immaculate surroundings and hygiene at all times. Even golf clubs are washed and kept tidy before they are stored for the winter.

The main reason why cleanliness matters in your physical surroundings is because you need an uncluttered mind in order to be able to play the game. Golf aficionados will tell you that the physical performance of a golfer is greatly affected by his mental state. When a player is too stressed or has a lot of things occupying his mind other than the club and the ball, then his swing loses its fluidity and power. It is more prone to hooks and splices. However, when a golfer has nothing else in mind but his club, his ball and the hole, then he is able to guide his body into making the smoothest, most accurate swing of his game.

The requirement of hygiene both in players’ mode of dressing and demeanor and the cleanliness of the course itself is both a guide to help the player achieve his best mental state for the best physical game he can play. And that is also why part of golf etiquette entails repairing any divots any player makes. An even, well-prepared environment just makes aiming for the hole that much easier.

Clean clubs, clean play all make for a clean and ultimately personally rewarding golf game.

Tee-off!