How to Write a Chorus

A song without a chorus can hardly be called a song. This rather bad statement is my personal opinion so if you don't agree, that's okay. But I would like to start this lesson with this statement, not only to wake you up, but rather because it's one of the key-statements of this lesson. So if you don't like songs without a chorus and never intend to write one, than probably you won't feel at home in this class this month. I must say I never felt at home when I was at school but that's another story... But if you do stick around, even if you don't like to write choruses, maybe you will change your mind about them.

A chorus is more or less the heart of a song, at least if it's a good one of course. Why this is true is not as obvious as it seems. People always tend to remember the chorus of a song, while it may not even be the most interesting part of the song at all. The easiest explanation of course is the fact that the chorus is usually played a couple of times during a song. But if this was the only reason why a chorus is the heart of most songs, how come then that lots of choruses are easily forgotten, even if they are played seemingly endless in the fadeout of a song? So there must be more to it.

In this lesson we will see it's hard to reveal the secrets of a good chorus. Writing a good chorus may be more a matter of the heart (something called talent?) than the mind. But since this counts for songwriting in general, don't be afraid; there are always some tricks to learn to help those who have to struggle a little more then the lucky, more talented ones. And believe me, most of us belong to the first group, to put it stronger, even the most talented ones often join the struggling crowd when they're not inspired... In lesson 5, we already saw some elements a good chorus should have. Now we will take a closer look at these elements, by discussing some rules you should follow if you want to write a good chorus. These rules are:

• It should be catchy
• It should contain elements of the rest of the song
• It shouldn't be an anti-climax

Following these rules, you obey to the most important rules of writing a good chorus. We will take a look at these rules in the next paragraph. You can also click on the links to go directly to the discussion of each of these rules.

Rule 1: a chorus should be catchy

What makes a chorus catchy? The easiest answer (for me at least) is: listen to all those golden oldies. Almost all the classics from the sixties and the seventies have catchy choruses. Of course The Beatles were real masters at this, but it seems all the bands that became famous in those days were able to write catchy choruses which seem to stick in your mind forever. Who doesn't know the chorus of Honky Tonk Women for example...

Listening to examples is a great way to teach yourself, and that counts for songwriting too! But there's something more to say about this issue too.

Keep it simple

One of the main rules in writing a good chorus is to keep it simple. Try to avoid to make the chorus sound complicated.

This doesn't mean that as long as you keep it simple technically spoken the chorus will sound simple! A chorus built around a difficult, but well written musical part will be easier to listen to than a technically simple chorus which is written in an unlogical manner.

Consider The Average Listener

The above indicates you'll have to keep the average listener in mind while writing your chorus.

Most listeners aren't musicians so don't forget that! The average listener will often look for things he/she can recognize, a certain general feeling of what sounds logical and which has been developed during many years.

You would probably think now that I'm saying most listeners are dumb but that's not the case. So don't treat them like that. They won't buy the same stuff over and over again (‘though this seems to be heavily contradicted by the house-rage of this time....) so you will have to keep them anxious. In the chorus you can try this by experimenting with backing vocals, special arrangements etc, but be careful and don't overdo things.

So in general you could say the secret to write a catchy chorus is to make it sound logical.

Rule 2: a chorus should contain elements of the rest of the song

In this lesson we already saw a chorus is one of the most important parts of your song. In most cases, it's the part of the song which will be played the most often. So it better be good!

Another trick to make your chorus a good chorus is to give it the treatment it deserves! Since it's the main element of your song, whether you like it or not, it should get all the attention it needs while you write it, to gain all the attention it needs when you play it. This brings me to a rather contradictionary issue: writing songs is a very intuïtive job and that also counts for writing choruses. But to obey to the rule that a chorus should contain elements of the rest of the song, you should at least examine and evaluate your music thoroughly. In mine opinion just writing your music from the heart will generally result in the best music, but it's not very sensible only to rely on your heart. Evaluating your music can be very useful and especially when it comes to writing a chorus.

So no matter how you write, whether you write straight from the heart or not, you will have to evaluate your song. Not only because it will enhance your songwriting skills simply because you are "forced" to think about what you have written, but also because "technical rules" like these can only be followed by using technical means like evaluation.

Since a chorus is the part that will be played and remembered most, it's the best place to "advertise" your song. Maybe if you consider the chorus to be the advertisement of your song, you will better understand the importance of putting elements of the rest of the song into it, making it kind of an excerpt of your song. Some advantages of doing so are:

Recognition

People will recognize the song by just hearing the chorus. But it works the other way around too; they will recognize the chorus as being part of that piece of music they accidentally hear when they enter a bar for example.

Recollection

People will remember your song much more easily. Because the chorus is an excerpt of the song, they will only have to remember the excerpt to remember the song. Why not using old school-tricks when they work fine?

Strenght

By putting elements of the song together in your chorus, in fact you are just making a miniature of your song. When you do this right, it will result in a very strong piece of music. Producers will be pleased when they see you have skills to achieve this, because they usually want you to cut out all the unnecessary stuff from your song.

But what elements should you take? This in fact is completely up to you and depends on the song you are writing. Generally it works fine to pick some of the more melodic parts of your song, simply because most people remember a melodic piece of music better than a monotone piece. And that's about all there is to say on this issue, but there are some pitfalls to look out for.

These tips might help you avoiding them:

Don't copy too much

While putting the best elements of your song together into your chorus, you are taking the risk of ending up with a chorus that unveils all the secrets of your song making the rest of the song predictable and dull. Therefor it's better not to copy too literally but hussle things a little.

Tricks like changing the key of the parts while played during the chorus can help. Just consider all the best parts to be some sort of colour-palette, which enables you to make various versions of the same picture.

Don't make the chorus too long. Better leave out some good parts than desperately putting everything together in the chorus! Good choruses almost never exceed 6 lines.

As you can see, this part of writing songs can be very tricky. Don't forget your skills will grow after every song you've finished, even the more technical skills that you'll need to write a good song, like evaluating your song and deciding what parts should be reflected into the chorus. I deliberatly used the term reflect, because this is one of the most vague issues of writing songs, making it one of the most difficult parts of it. But aren't things always getting more difficult when technique meets feelings?

Rule 3: a chorus shouldn't be an anti-climax

The third important rule seems simple but, unfortunatly, is not. Just like the second rule we discussed above, we will discover it's again a matter of walking on the edge. You will have to carefully find your way between what's good and what is bad, and there isn't a clear path to follow. But again, experience is something you can't buy but which comes free with endurance and perseverance. So just don't give up when it's getting tough; your peaks will get higher and your downs won't be as low as they used to be!

So a chorus shouldn't be an anti-climax. Clear! But why is this rule not as simple as it seems? I will try to explain this. If you follow the first two rules you won't too quickly end up with a chorus that's an anti-climax, just because these two rules ensure your chorus will be more or less the heart of the song. But still your chorus can become an anti-climax, simply because another part of the song attrackts too much the attention. A very impressive instrumental break can easily put the chorus in the shadows. So if your chorus is an anti-climax depends not only on the chorus itself, but on the rest of the song too. To avoid this disturbing effect, you will have to be very careful where to put that instrumental break, charismatic leadvocal-line etc.

To make things even more complicated, you will have to watch out for the chorus to become the climax of the song itself! This can be disasterous to your song, because you will end up with a song which repeats it's climax over and over again, with the result that you end up with a song that doesn't seem to have a climax at all! So every time you write a song you will have to deal with the problem to write a strong, catchy chorus but on the other hand not to make it too strong....

This virtual contradictionary is hard to solve, just listen to daily radio. But there are some ways to help you with this:

Distinction

To avoid the chorus and the climax of the song to interfere with each other, you can try to make a very clear distinction between these two rivals. You can do so by putting them apart from each other "physically" (give each of them their own space in the song), or by making them sound as different as the song allows you to.

The clearer the difference, the less chance of interference.

If you can't beat them...

Another aproach is to put the climax in the chorus itself. This works best when done in the final chorus. This solution requires you to change that chorus, otherwise it won't work, as we discussed earlier in this lesson. These changes can range from just changing the key, adding additional instruments (like backing-vocals) to even changing the lead-vocal line. When done right you will end up with a super-chorus, which won't be forgotten easily!

Some Examples

I will briefly discuss each example and will try to show you how the above is implemented into the examples. I also will point at some tricks I used in these choruses. Don't forget there are numerous examples to come up with, each with different combinations and interpretations of the rules we discussed in this lesson. Just consider these soundfiles as my contribution to what this is all about: music and the fun of it!

The first example is the chorus of Alien Tune, taken from the live-recorded third cassette of The Stag, Reset. Lesson 6 included the intro of this spacy song so maybe it's not a complete new-one for some of you.

This version of the chorus is played at the end of the song, and to make it stand out to the other choruses just because it's the last one, the third line is added to it, which is actually a repetition of the first line. The original chorus has only three lines, this final one has four.

Another trick I used in this chorus is as simple as efficiënt to draw the attention a chorus needs. I used an effects-processor to distort the lead-vocals. Keeping the original lead-vocaltrack and putting the distorted vocals behind it creates a very dramatic effect. A band like ZZ-Top used a trick like this in their song Manic Mechanic.

The next example is also taken from Reset, and is more melodic than the previous example. This will make it a lot easier to remember this chorus as you will probably notice, but this of course is also due to the fact that parts of the lyrics are repeated a few times.

Another trick used in this chorus to make it the eye-catcher of this song are the backing-vocals, which answer the questions "asked" by the lead-singer. Using several backing-vocals and making them "fade out" into the lead-vocals enhances the choir-effect. Recorded in a real studio in stead of the rehearsal-room this can sound real impressive.

Please note the sound-sample starts with the last line of the verse, which features a break to focus the attention to the chorus even more.

Another track taken from Reset, so recorded live at the rehearsal-room of The Stag, is the chorus of The Widow's Game. This chorus is an example of a miniature of the entire song. It contains parts of the main riff of the song, but the lead-vocals switch to a melodic, strong line, while they stick more to the rhythm of the song during the verses.

The final example of this lesson features the first track of The Last Season, the first cassette of The Stag. This chorus is short and melodic, yet it sounds simple. A chorus like this is hard to forget, whether you like it or not. In this particular case, the trick I used to make the chorus stand out to the rest of the song is the addition of backing-vocals (again) and a more prominent role for the keyboards in comparison to the verses. Changes like this are great to draw the attention to the chorus.

Taken from: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Marble/9607

Adding Salt To Your Raw Meat

How many times have you heard, "Salting raw meat (or poultry or fish) will draw the juices out and make it tough?" I see this statement repeated in cookbook after cookbook as if it were a fact.

Yet in older cookbooks, especially the ones based on European cooking techniques, salting meat before cooking is done routinely, without loss of juices. In fact, if you do it right, meat that is salted before cooking can be much juicier and more succulent than meat that isn't salted!

So who's right? Is it the people who say don't salt, or the old-fashioned cooks who say you SHOULD salt? They BOTH are. The issue isn't the salt. The issue is WHEN you should apply salt to raw foods, especially meat, poultry, and fish.

The basic rule is, if you're going to use salt, do it early. Never apply salt to meat right before you put it in the pan or on the grill. Salting at the last minute will definitely pull juices out of the meat. It will toughen and dry out the surface of the meat, without adding any extra flavor to the inside.

But if you salt your meat early - even a few days before cooking - you will be pleasantly surprised at the results! Many old-fashioned cooks, especially chefs who were trained in classical French or German methods, salt their meat well in advance of cooking. They sprinkle salt evenly and lightly over the meat as soon as it comes into their kitchen. Then they wrap it carefully, and refrigerate until it's cooking time.

This early salting will actually improve the texture, juiciness, and flavor of the meat. It has an almost miraculous tenderizing power, without MSG and without turning the meat to flabby mush. Salting is especially beneficial for cuts of meat that are firm or tough, like wild game, the chewier types of steak (such as skirt and flank steak), firm roasts, brisket, and pot roast. But you can also lightly salt tender steaks, poultry, and fish ahead of time. An added benefit is the salt will help keep the meat fresh and lively tasting, even after several days of refrigeration.

Why does this early salting work so well? Salt reacts with the proteins inside the muscle fibers in meat. Given time, it dissolves them slightly, making the meat more tender. But what's more important, salt encourages the movement of moisture inside the meat cells.

When salt first hits the meat, it pulls moisture OUT. That's why the meat will be dry if you salt right before cooking. But if you give salt time to penetrate the meat, the cells start to REABSORB the moisture. And because the proteins are now nice and soft, the cells absorb the salt flavor - plus any herbs or spices you may have added to the salt - deep inside the meat. So now you have happy meat that's evenly seasoned and tenderized all the way through!

If you're skeptical about salting your meat ahead of time, don't take my word for it. Respected food authorities like Judy Rodgers, the award-winning chef who runs San Francisco's Zuni Cafe, has a whole section about the early salting of meat and other foods in her "Zuni Cafe Cookbook." She goes into all the chemistry in great detail.

But trust me, you don't need to understand cell osmosis to get the tenderizing benefits of salt. Simply try this early salting method just once, and you will be amazed at how much better your meat tastes.

And you won't see your guests covering their meat with salt at the table, since the meat will be gently flavored with salt all the way through. In fact, if you're watching your salt intake, by salting lightly but early, you can often get superior flavor and even eliminate the need to add salt at the table.

How much salt to use? That's a matter of taste. Start with a very modest amount. Sprinkle on the minimum you would use if the meat were already cooked. I use about 1/4 teaspoon of salt per pound of meat, but thin cuts need less, and thick cuts like roasts might need quite a bit more. Go easy at first, and eventually you'll get the hang of it.

Two more tips about salting early. First, the salt will tenderize and moisturize the meat faster at room temperature than in the fridge (don't bother salting meat if you're going to freeze it, it's pointless). So the colder your fridge, the earlier you need to do the salting. Second, poultry doesn't need to be salted as long as beef, and fish may only need a few hours.

You can also add seasonings to the salt. One of my favorite seasoned salts for steaks is very simple: one tablespoon of plain sea salt, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of sweet Hungarian paprika. Mix these three ingredients well, then sprinkle lightly on steaks, wrap them individually in good quality plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you're ready to cook. The sugar will help the meat sear nicely without excess heat, and the paprika adds a subtle, warm taste and a wonderful aroma.

Want to find out about low sodium diets and foods high in sodium? Get tips from the Daily Sodium Intake website.

Video Source: Youtube

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Five Most Common Putting Mistakes

No one's shocked anymore when Tiger Woods drills a 20-foot putt to win a championship. He's one of the best clutch putters in the game. But did you know that when he practices putting Tiger spends more time working on short putts than long putts. That's right. One media sources estimates he spends about 65 percent of the time he spends practicing putting working on short putts.

Most putts are from 5 to 15 feet. These short putts probably make up about 25-30 percent of your total score. You don't need a golf lesson to figure out that if you sink more of these short putts, you'd lower your golf handicap by at least a couple of strokes. Unfortunately, weekend golfers tend to commit too many mistakes when facing short putts. Here are some common mistakes golfers make when putting and some drills on how to eliminate them.

Confidence is the Key

Many golfers flinch when they putt. Or, they rush the putt so much their stroke becomes choppy and uneven. You can become a great putter if your putting stroke is smooth and free flowing. Creating good rhythm in your putting stroke is the best way of eliminating flinching and rushing. No matter what style of putting you use, if you flinch or rush you'll probably miss lot of putts. Unfortunately, most golfers concentrate more on sinking putts than working on developing a smooth stroke.

Next time you're on the practice green, make some smooth pendulum strokes with your eyes closed. As you make your stroke, count out a simple cadence "one-two." "one-two." Once you feel a good flow, have a friend place a ball at his discretion in the path of your putter head. No knowing when the ball is coming helps eliminate the flinching or rushing that can cause you to miss those short putts.

No Putting Ritual

Another common mistake in putting is a lack of putting ritual. If watch Tiger Woods, Fred Funk, or Sergio Garcia putt, you'll notice that they all have a putting ritual. Their rituals are all different. One player walks all around the putt before stepping up to hit it. Another takes his practice strokes behind the ball. But the one thing that's not different is that they use the same ritual every time they make a putt, regardless of the length or difficulty. Develop your own putting ritual. Base it on sound putting techniques and what makes you feel comfortable. And use it every time you have a putt. You'll find that a ritual not only relaxes you and helps build confidence in your putting.

Worry about Outcomes

Weekend players worry too much about the outcome of a short putt. What if I miss the putt? This places a lot of pressure on the golfer. Since the pressure of outcomes is tied directly to the hole, try eliminating it when you practice to relieve the pressure. Next time you're on the practice green, work on drills that improve your putting accuracy without using the hole. For example, place a scorecard over the hole and try to roll the ball over the card, so that the ball ends about two feet past the hole. These drills will improve your accuracy without the added pressure of sinking the putt.

Choking the Putter

A common mistake I see in my golf instruction sessions on putting is players gripping their putters too tightly. Some players grip their putters so tight, their hands almost turn white. A soft and constant grip pressure is vital to maintaining a smooth, free-flowing stroke and creating better "feel" when putting. For players who think they may be choking the putter, try holding an uncooked egg between your right index finger (or left index finger, if your left-handed) and the shaft of your putter. Now drop a few balls and stroke some putts. If your grip is too tight, you'll soon know.

Too Handsy

Another common mistake I see in golf instruction sessions on putting is players using too much of their hands in their putting stroke. Being too handsy eliminates the true feel of a smooth, free-swinging pendulum and cause jerky inconsistent putts. One remedy is to use a belly putter. Simply anchor the putter to a comfortable point on your midsection and swing away. Add a "one-two" count to the stroke to improve rhythm. This approach reduces the amount of movement in the smaller muscles in your hand and keeps the blade on plane.

Eliminating these common mistakes from your putting will not only build rhythm in your putting stroke, they'll also help increase your confidence in your putting. That's big. Ask any professional golfer what the key to great putting is and he or she will probably tell you it's confidence. Great putters are shocked when they miss a short putt. That's how confident they are. To improve your golf handicap, you need to work on things that build confidence and increase accuracy your short putting.

Copyright (c) 2007 Jack Moorehouse

How Golf Club Comparisons Can Help You Find The Best Equipment

Do you want to know how to get the best fitting golf equipment? Golf club comparisons are the answer. You will have to try some different types of equipment to find your perfect match.

It's these golf club comparisons that are essential to getting you fitted with the proper gear. Look below to get some great tips for comparing and testing different golf clubs.

1. Look around at your local golf store, driving range or golf course and find a few sets or clubs that are within your budget and price range. Don't be afraid to compare prices.

2. Make sure you like the exterior look of the golf clubs. Check the color, design, and overall aesthetics of the club. It's very important for your comfort level.

3. At the store or pro shop compare the way some different clubs look and feel in the address position. Set the clubs on the ground and get set up like you are going to hit a shot. Look down the shaft and make sure the club is sitting in a good position that you are comfortable with. You are also looking to see if the shaft is ahead of the ball(also known as offset), if the club sits flat on the ground, is it fat, thin, big, small etc. You must check for all these features with every club.

4. Find an area where you can swing the clubs freely (driving net or outside). You are going to check the weight of the clubs. Swing the different clubs to see if the club is heavy or light. Also try to feel if the weight is in the head or shaft of the club. This will have an affect on your swing speed.

5. Now you are going to hit some shots outside. You want to check the way the ball flies off the club face. Is it high and floating, low and penetrating, hooking left, or slicing right? Find a ball flight you like because every club is different. Also what feeling do you get from each club? Is it nice or does it hurt your hand?

After doing these golf club comparisons and trying all these different tips and helpful ideas you should be able to narrow it down to the club or set of clubs you like the best.

If you still can't make up your mind, try playing with the clubs for a round of golf to help you make that final decision. Good luck and enjoy doing your golf club comparisons!

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The Importance of Play

For children, play is naturally enjoyable. And since it is their active engagement in things that interest them, play should be child-led, or at least child-inspired, for it to remain relevant and meaningful to them. Children at play are happily lost in themselves; they are in their own realm of wonder, exploration, and adventure, pulling parents in at times with a frequent “Let’s play, mom!” as an open invitation into that world.

As early as infancy, children immerse themselves in play activities with the purpose of making sense of the world around them. Play gives children the opportunity to learn and experience things themselves, which is vital for their development. Although peek-a-boo games seem pointless to adults, tots are awed by the surprise that awaits them as they see the suddenly emerging faces of people they love.

(Stages of Play)

During toddlerhood, children experience a motor-growth spurt that equips them to solitarily fiddle with anything they can get their hands on – be it a construction toy or the box from where it came.

Toddlers also love breaking into song, wiggling and jiggling to tunes, and imitating finger plays they are commonly exposed to.

Preschoolers begin extending their play to involve others, whether they bring others in at any stage of their game or they plan their game and its players’ way ahead. Their physical and motor skills allow them to widen their lay arena, from dramatic play to table games to outdoor pursuits.

School-age children start appreciating organized play – such as innovated songs and rhymes, games with rules, relays and other physical activities, sports and projects that they can accomplish over a certain time frame.

Play Perks:

Why the big fuss about playing? Play benefits the child in ways that might be a tad difficult for adults to imagine.

1. Play brings pure and utter joy.

A toddler who jumps into an empty box and runs around the house ‘driving a car’ shows the sheer happiness that play brings him or her. When children are asked what they did in school and they answer ‘play,’ it is a clear sign that these kids remember a feeling of genuine joy that is captured in this four-letter word.

2. Play fosters socio-emotional learning.

What does a ten-month-old baby who shrieks at the sight of her stuffed toy have in common with a ten-year-old boy who plays basketball with his friends? They both deal with their confidence as they choose to embark on their play activities. At the same time, they are displaying their independence in the decisions that they make. These two children are also internalizing social rules in their respective play situations: the baby waits patiently for her stuffed toy to appear, while the school-age child has to contend with an impending loss in a ball game.

3. Play hones physical and motor development.

Play often involves the use of the senses, the body, and the extremities. When children play, they exercise their bodies for physical strength, fluidity of movement, balance and coordination.

Perceptual-motor ability, or the capacity to coordinate what you perceive with how you move, is an essential skill that preschoolers need to develop. A three-year-old who is engrossed in digging, scooping, and pouring sand into a container must match his or her perception of the space in front of him or her with actual hand movements, so that he or she can successfully fulfill the motor activity.

4. Play facilitates cognitive learning.

Play is vital to the intellectual development of a child. We live in a symbolic world in which people need to decode words, actions, and numbers.

For young children, symbols do not naturally mean anything because they are just arbitrary representations of actual objects. The role of play is for the child to understand better cognitive concepts in ways that are enjoyable, real, concrete, and meaningful to them. For instance, through play, a child is able to comprehend that the equation 3 + 2 = 5 means ‘putting together’ his toy cars by lining them up in his makeshift parking lot. When he combines 2 triangles to make a square during block play, or writes down his score is a bowling game, the child is displaying what he knows about shapes and numbers.

Through play, the child is constructing his or her worldview by constantly working and reworking his understanding of concepts.

5. Play enhances language development.

Toddlers who are still grappling with words need to be immersed in oral language so they can imitate what they hear. They benefit from songs and rhymes that provide the basis for understanding how language works.

When these tots are playing with toys, adults model to them how language is used to label objects or describe an event. At play, preschoolers use language to interact, communicate ideas, and likewise learn from dialogues with more mature members of society.

6. Play encourages creativity.

Barney the dinosaur was right about using imagination to make things happen. A lump of Play-Doh suddenly turns into spaghetti with meat sauce and cheese; a small towel transforms into a cape that completes a superhero’s wardrobe; and a tin can serves as a drum that accompanies an aspiring rock artist. Play opens an entire avenue for children to express themselves, show what they know and how they feel, and to create their own masterpieces.

7. Play provides bonding opportunities.

Play is an important factor in child development. It provides for interaction, experimentation, and moral development. Here are some ways by which parents can encourage and support their children’s playtime.

- Let your child be the player-leader. Let children initiate their activity, set their own theme, choose the parameters where the play will take place. Play becomes a venue for children to express their feelings and be in control.

- Help them help themselves. When your 5-year-old asks for help, say, figuring out how to piece a puzzle together, stop yourself from coming to her rescue and first ask your child questions that allow him or her to help himself or herself. Say, “Where do you think this piece should go?” Afterward, commend his or her success.

- Play attention. Once you make a commitment to play with your child, watch for the following signals: Does he or she want you to actively play a part in the activity? Does he or she need encouragement? Is he or she tired or hungry? Does he or she need to take a break?

- Have a play plan. If you seem to have little time for playing with your child, consider using self-care chores to have fun with him or her. Also, get support from other people in your household, like older siblings, household help, or the child’s grandparents, so that they understand why play is important and how they should continue to encourage it.

Scotland Golf

Scotland is a golfers dream, a golf travel to Scotland is a well known golfers fantasy, the historic importance of Scotland to the game, the splendor of the old course, the tradition and the unique role that golf plays in Scottish life make this country a golfers heaven.

For families, golfing friends or singles wishing to enjoy a profound golf experience, the Golf Resorts of Scotland are the perfect choice.

Many countries around the world pride themselves for having great golf courses but no other country can claim to be the home and heart to the game of golf. Scotland is the birthplace of golf and today has more than 45 golf courses, one of them being the most famous course of all, golfing Mecca – St. Andrews.

Golf history has began here 500 years ago and is very much a way of life in Scotland, with new golf courses aside old ones (and some new courses that are actually very old). Golf resorts are as old as golf in this country, a visit to Scotland is not complete without a round of golf in one of this county’s golf resorts, or a visit to one of the many golf courses here.

The Dornoch Castle Hotel is steeped in Scottish history, the 15th century Castle is not only a perfect golf loacation but also a perfect venue for weddings and receptions.

The Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa is one of the worlds greatest golfing resorts, the hotel has a spectacular location overlooking the famous 17th “Road Hole” of the Old course. Think of a vacation that starts every morning by looking at the birth place of golf.

Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle is located in a romantic Highland landscape of contemplative beauty and offers luxurious hospitality, magnificent golf and traditional country sports.

While visiting Scotland a golfer might enjoy a visit to the British Golf Museum in St Andrews, a golfer may also want to pay his respects to the first winners of past golfing tournaments who are buried in the cathedral. An aspiring golfer may try and improve his game by visiting the National Golf Academy at Drumoig, this practice facility provides everything you need to become a better golfer.

Non golf events

When golfers are not busy on the golf courses there is plenty to do in Scotland during the year, the Edinburgh Festival held every August is one of the world's most important and colorful arts festivals. Every September the Braemar Gathering is attended by the queen in Braemar, with other games held all over the country.

The Scottish way of celebrating the New Year is called Hogmanay, a festive joyous party in the best of Scottish spirit. Other events - The Edinburgh International Film Festival (every year, in mid August) , Edinburgh Book Festival and Glasgow's World Pipe Band Championships.

How To Drive The Golf Ball Straighter And Longer With Golf Fitness Exercises

This is probably a burning desire of most every golfer on the planet. The desire to drive the golf ball farther and straighter, allowing us to lower our golf scores on the golf course. One of the keys to driving golf the straighter and longer is a golf fitness program. This type of a training program incorporates exercises to improve your golf swing.

An amateur recently sent me an e-mail describing how he is driving the golf longer and straighter than ever before. He plainly states the reason for the improvement is directly connected to a golf fitness program he implemented 10 weeks ago.

Here is what he had to say;

“Sean, Thought I’d drop you a note to let you know I am still enjoying the BioForce workout exercises and I’m getting closer to the goals I set 10 weeks ago.

I still track my workouts and I am encouraged by the progress I see, not only on the chart, but also with my swing. As a reward for my efforts and progress, I bought a new Ping Tour wedge. Why a wedge?

Because I can already see I am hitting my drives consistently much straighter –

This, of course, is giving me more distance and great enjoyment.

And, I am much more consistent with my pitches and chips.

So, a good wedge that will give consistent distance and allow me to try different types of shots to expand my skills seemed like the right reward.

The only thing I am unsure of is “am I pushing myself enough? Could you please have a look at my workouts and advise the best schedule for me to meet my goals.

I know I haven’t pushed myself on some the exercises like Side Holds as I should have; the result being no progress with this.

For my initial goals I have 5 weeks to go, if I miss these then Mid-May is the next deadline I have set.”

Colin

Colin, let me first congratulate you on your progress, determination, and results you are seeing. It is because of your hard work and dedication to the golf fitness programs your golf game is improving.

I always like to say; “I have the easy part, all I have to do is teach you, and the hard part is following through with what I teach you.” I tip my hat to you.

Before I answer your question about “pushing yourself”, I would like to make a note of your goal setting. Goal setting is extremely important. I know Phil and almost every athlete I work with sets goals. On one hand, it allows you to measure yourself and see how you are progressing.

I think all amateur golfers do this to some extent. Aren’t we all trying to lower our handicaps, make more birdies, and overall improve our golf game? The answer is yes, and on some level, we set goals to measure our progress. Additionally goals have another benefit.

It provides a “mark” to achieve, keeps you focused, and provides a sense of accomplishment when met. We as golfers often set goals of lowering our handicap to single digits, drive the golf ball 280 yards, or not make any three putts. These are all “marks” we are trying to hit, and these “marks” are essentially goals.

Once the goals are set, a plan can be put in place to reach those goals. For example, if the desire is to lower your handicap to single digits, part of the plan may be practicing at the range three times per week. On the other hand, if the goal is add an additional 20 yards to your drives, part of the plan may be the implementation of a golf fitness program to increase your flexibility, strength, endurance, and power.

I will also say at times goals are not met, and that is okay. If a goal is not met, it provides us a point to reflect, make adjustments in our current program, and set new goals.

Additionally, Colin you bring up a very good point on how much should you be “pushing yourself” on the exercises. We all probably are aware that in order to improve in any task, golf swing included, we must put forth an effort. How much is very important, and this is of the up most importance in relation to golf fitness exercises.

Let me first say there is a very fine line between the correct amount of exertion and too much exertion. Too much exertion can lead to poor exercise technique and a possible injury. Too little exertion will limit the benefits received from your golf fitness program.

A term I use as a guideline for the correct amount of exertion on each exercise is: “Perform each exercise to your own level of tolerance”.

Essentially this states every exercise you perform should be done with the;

1) Correct technique

And

2) Performed for the number of repetitions in which you can maintain proper exercise technique.

This requires you to “push yourself”, but in addition maintain an awareness of your exercise technique. For example with the golf fitness exercise Side Holds, once you set yourself up in the correct position, you should “hold” the position for the amount of time you can until your technique falters.

This guideline can be followed for almost every golf fitness exercise. Another golf fitness exercise, the Jack Knife should be performed for as many repetitions with the correct technique. If you find your technique starting to falter this is the point at which you stop.

To summarize, we know a golf fitness program can assist a golfer in driving the golf ball longer and straighter. In the bigger picture longer and straighter drives is a goal. In order to achieve a goal in the sport of golf, a plan must be put in place. The plan can include golf fitness exercises as part of the steps for us to meet that goal. Additionally, when we talk about any golf fitness exercise the correct amount of effort must be exerted, but not exceeded. Following the guideline of “perform every golf fitness exercise to your own level of tolerance” will help you maintain this fine line of effort.

Sean Cochran

Copyright, BioForce, Ltd 2006

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How to Make Aebleskiver (Danish Puff Pastries)

What's an Aebleskiver?

Danish aebleskiver (sometimes called "ebleskiver") are one of the few pastries that you can make on the stovetop—that doesn't require baking—and that you don't have to fry. They are made with a simple batter, are often filled, and usually dusted with sugar. They are easy to make and the varieties are endless.

You can fill your aebleskivers with jam, cream cheese, marshmallow cream, whipped cream, or savory fillings like cheese and sausage.

An Aebleskiver Pan Makes it Easy!

Spoon the batter into the cavities in the pan and turn them with a toothpick or skewer. We'll tell you how below.

You can use either a cast iron or aluminum aebleskiver pan. Aebleskiver require pans must hold their heat well to cook properly and cast iron is perfect. Cast iron does have to be seasoned and kept dry to keep from rusting.

We have tested both cast iron and nonstick aluminum pans in our test kitchen. The aluminum pans that we tested (and that we sell) are thick and heavy enough to hold their heat well. A nonstick surface on aluminum pans is recommended to make the aebleskiver easier to turn.

You can choose either type of pan and it will work well. A cook that works often with cast iron, appreciates it, and knows how to care for cast iron, will be happiest with a cast iron pan. A more casual cook might appreciate the carefree qualities and attractive good looks of an aluminum pan.

How to Make Aebleskiver

The "aeble" in aebleskiver means "apple." Traditionally for holidays in Denmark, aebleskiver are filled with applesauce or slices of sautéed apples. At least in this country, we use many fillings. In our test kitchen, we have made chocolate aebleskiver, filled with melted chocolate, drizzled with chocolate sauce, and topped with whipped cream for luscious desserts. (We produce a chocolate aebleskiver mix.) Jam fillings are very common but jam and cream cheese makes a great filling.

Grease your aebleskiver pan with a spray dispenser or with butter. (Spray your pan again as needed or put a dab of butter in each cavity occasionally.) Heat the pan over medium heat. When hot, fill each cup one-third full with batter. Add a small amount of filling to each. Cover with an additional one-third batter. A larger cookie scoop works well to cleanly drop the batter into the cups.

Cook for one to one and one-half minutes before turning. (You can turn your aebleskiver with a toothpick or skewer.) Cook for another minute or until done. Remove your aebleskiver to a plate and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve them warm.

What do I fill my aebleskivers with?

Almost anything. Fill your aebleskivers with jam or jelly, whipped cream, pastry, cream, applesauce, and much more. Some people fill their aebleskivers with savoring fillings like bacon and cheese or pepperoni, cheese, and marinara. One of our favorites is a corn bread aebleskiver (made with a mix) with a cube of melted cheddar cheese in the center and served with raspberry jalapeño jam. The cornbread and cheese is a great combination and jam packs a little heat.

If you would like to fill your aebleskiver with pastry cream, whipped cream, or marshmallow cream, do it after they are cooked. Fill a pastry bag or decorator set with your cream filling. Use a star tip or long tip to inject filling into the center of your aebleskiver. You'll be able to feel the aebleskiver puff as they fill.

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Stack and Tilt Swing Revisited

By now you've probably heard of the Stack and Tilt swing model. Stack and Tilt is relatively new, but it has gained ground on the Tour. Developed by Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett, this new model has drawn good reviews from both veterans and youngsters. golfers like Eric Axley, Dean Wilson, and Aaron Baddeley have all tried the new swing model. Even some veteran golfers, like Brad Faxon and Mike Weir, have tried it. Stack and Tilt sounds like a good way to cut strokes from your golf handicap.





But Stack and Tilt is controversial. It challenges time-tested principles being taught in today's golf instruction sessions. It's also unique. For one thing, it looks much different than other swing models because the body never moves off the ball. For another, it has golfers tilting to the front on the backswing. This forces players to spring up through impact to hit the ball, which has some experts up in arms. So while Stack and Tilt is new and different, the question remains: Can the new swing model cut strokes from your golf handicap?





Here are three key principles of Stack and Tilt, plus a brief discussion of each to help you decide if you want to try the new swing model.





Stay On The Front Foot





In golf lessons instructors teach you to shift your weight onto your back foot on the downswing. Then, shift it back to your front foot in time for impact. That's hard to do consistently. Thus, you often end up hitting off your front foot. Stack and Tilt teaches you to start with your weight on your front foot and stay there throughout the swing. Its proponents claim this change helps golfers hit the ball solidly-and that they say is what the new swing model is all about.





Critics of Stack and Tilt reject this idea. One of the biggest problems golfers have, they say, is coming down into the ball too steeply. If they lean forward, as the new swing model suggest, they run the risk of making their swing even steeper, unless they dramatically tilt their spines away from the target on the downswing. That's extremely difficult in the milliseconds it takes to swing down, leading to mis-hits. It's easier, they say, to learn to shift your wieght





Tilt Of The Hips





Golf lessons also tell players to stay in their address positions through their swing. Stack and Tilt disagrees. It says that your body has a limited capacity to turn when your hips are titled toward the ball, as they are at address. If you stay in that position through impact, the body stops turning, killing momentum and clubhead speed. Stack and Tilt encourages you to release that forward tilt by having you thrust your hips upward. It's a move you often see other athletes make, like baseball players.





Critics of Stack and Tilt say there's definitely a weight shift in the modern swing. They also say that anything can be overdone, including lateral motion, causing mis-hits. But if you look at many of the great golf swings, like Ben Hogan's, you'll see there is clearly lateral motion in them.





Flex Your Spine Away





In addition, Stack and Tilt holds that players must flex their spines away from the target on the downswing. The upward thrust of the hips is coupled with the forward flexing of the upper body. The top half of the spine must then stretch back, tilting away from the target. When the spine goes back and the hips release, the body has great rotational power. Plus the arms are stretched and straightened through impact.





Critics of Stack and Tilt say the model requires great flexibility. Without that, mainly coming from the mid-back, this swing model places a tremendous amount of sheer force on the lumbar back. Sheering is the most destructive force the lumbar spine has to deal with. In addition, Stack and Till places increased load on the front knee. Players with damaged or arthritic leads knees could make them worse.





If you're thinking of trying the Stack and Tilt to cut strokes from your golf handicap, keep one thing mind. Many of the games most noted golf instructors don't teach a system. They teach individuals in golf lessons. These instructors don't believe there's one set of fundamentals for all players. So while Stack and Tilt may be right for some, it may not be right for you.





Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. Free weekly newsletter available with the latest golf tips, lessons and instructions.

To Increase The Power In Your Golf Swing, Be A Tree!

Copyright (c) 2009 Scott Cole



Proper balance is probably the most overlooked key to a powerful golf swing. Although most instructors teach their students about good balance, the student can take this concept a step further through the study of the martial arts.



I trained for eight years in the martial art of Pai Lum Kung Fu, and proper balance was stressed throughout my training, from my days as a beginner student, and even beyond when I attained 1st Degree Black Belt. However, in our training, we focused on every possible detail regarding balance, from the feet, to proper stance width, posture and center of gravity. These are all important keys to developing power in our Kung Fu techniques, and they are important keys to helping golfers develop more power in their golf swings as well.



In describing the swing of J.B. Holmes, noted golf instructor David Leadbetter has this to say..." Starting down, his legs get into a squat position, which lets him use the ground as resistance and create an unbelievable energy flow from his legs, up through his shoulders and down into his arms and the club."



Using the ground as resistance and the creation of energy flow from the legs are two important components we focused on for generating power in our techniques at the kung fu school.



To increase the power in our punching techniques, my teacher often stressted getting our feet rooted into the ground. We devote an entire breathing exercise that lasts about five minutes to this concept of rooting. Later in our training, we were taught to focus on a specific spot on the bottom of our foot where our balance will be rooted into the ground. This spot will also draw energy from the earth into our body, and then we learn how to transfer this energy into our technique. When you develop this ability, you become capable of generating incredible bower with minimal movement.



To locate this specific spot on the bottom of your foot, take a moment to sit down, and take off your shoes and socks. On the bottom of your feet you will notice thick pads, that are often described as the balls of the feet. The biggest of these pads is under the area beneath the big toe. Next to this large pad is an area that looks like a small hollow. Take your thumb and push into this hollow firmly. If you feel a nice jolt of pain, you have found the right spot! If not, keep searching until you feel that bit of pain. In Chinese medicine, this spot is known as Kidney Point 1, and it is viewed as a very significant healing point, even for a heart attack victim.



Now that we have identified this point, we want to take this information and transfer it into our golf swing. So, with your shoes off, find a spot on a hard floor and get into your golf stance (without a club of course). As you get yourself set into your golf stance, focus hard on these specific points in the bottom of your feet. These are the points where you should focus your balance.



Now I want you to feel a sort of corkscrewing motion, starting with that spot in the bottom of your feet, then feel it up into your knees, then into your hips. You should feel as if you are trying to screw the bottom of your foot into the ground, and then the hips tuck under your torso, and maybe move forward a little bit (we also refer to this as a curling of the hips). Practice a few times at home with your shoes off, then try getting that same feeling with your golf shoes on (preferably not indoors or you will have some damaged floors!). You see, it is absolutely critical that you engage the hips in your golf swing, particularly at the start of your downswing. Engaging the hips in this manner will help them clear out the path for the golf club more quickly, generating more power.



Posture also plays a significant role in developing proper balance. Although we want to feel as if we are rooted into the ground like a tree, we certainly do not want to stand straight up in our golf stance, nor do we want to be bent over too far in our stance. Generally speaking, if we draw a straight line up from the ground to the sky at the back our hips, we then want to be bent at the hips so that our spine is angled about 30 degrees from that straight line. Find a photo of Tiger Woods' stance and you have a perfect picture of what I describe. This stance allows the arms plenty of room to swing freely in the golf swing.



Finally, it is important to maintain a low center of gravity throughout your golf swing. You will often hear football announcers describe how a running back is difficult to tackle because he has a low center of gravity. The martial artist looks to develop that low center of gravity as well, in order to generate power in his punches. The golfer will lose power by rising up in his/her golf swing.



To make sure you keep your center of gravity as low as possible, it is important to learn how to relax your abdomen during the golf swing. In other words, let your gut sag instead of sucking it in! This will require you to learn how to breathe so that you fill up all three levels of your lungs (lower, middle, upper), rather than just the upper level of your lungs. By learning how to breathe in this manner, you will learn how to maintain a low center of gravity even while holding your breath at the beginning of the swing (you should learn how to exhale during the downswing).



If you can learn how to develop proper posture and balance in this manner, you will have success in improving the power of your golf swing.





------



Scott Cole is a golf instructor and 1st Degree Blackbelt in the art of Pai Lum Kung Fu. He has produced a golf fitness e-book "How to Increase Your Golf Power" and is the owner of the website, http://www.powergolftraining.net

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Golf Swing Tempo vs Golf Swing Speed

Are you told by your golf buddies that you swing too fast?
Do you think Ernie Els swings nice and slow?

The chances are that Ernie's smooth swing is WAY faster than yours. It's not the speed, but the tempo, that separate you from Ernie, because Golf Swing Speed and Golf Swing Tempo are fundamentally different.

Quite often a golfers swing can appear extremely fast, because they don't have the correct swing tempo. They usually have a very deliberate take away and back swing, where they are trying to 'Place' the club head in the correct position. There may even be a deliberate pause at the top.
This is then followed by a rush, down towards the ball, trying to gain the momentum that was lost during the back swing phase.

The chances are that all of the PGA tour players swing faster than you. What separates them, from us, is that they do it with a swing tempo that is fluid not disjointed. They also swing to an exact tempo ratio.

I've read many articles, allegedly about Golf Swing Tempo, that start to talk about components of the swing. Swing plane, take away, ball position, alignment. These are fundamentals and separate parts of the swing. These are the individual parts that you learn, which when combined, give you a complete golf swing.
Golf swing tempo, is the glue that holds all of these constituent parts together. In fact, the more you swing, with the correct swing tempo, the more stable all of those swing components become.

So what is Swing Speed? Well it's simply the amount of time you take to get from the start of your takeaway to the point of impact. But let's say for simplicity sake, that for you, this takes 4 seconds. (And it better not! Otherwise you and I won't be playing together anytime soon!) If you take 2 seconds getting to the top of your back swing and then 2 seconds getting the club head to the ball, you really are not going to generate any club head speed.

So what is Swing Tempo? Let's take the same 4 second swing OK?
This time you take 3 Seconds getting to the top, but 1 second on the way down, and what do you have? Well you have a very slow swing, but you have PERFECT Golf Swing Tempo.....Why?

Because all PRO's swing at this exact tempo ratio. 3 To 1. So you can swing as fast as you like..Really! As long as you do it using the 3 to 1 ratio. Now all you have to do is achieve this tempo using one of the many training aids available. Most of which are audio cue devices. When you do what you will find (As I did), is that you will swing faster than you ever have, but with a tempo and a consistency, that is going to stay solid throughout your next round of golf. Also, when you use one of these aids, your mind tends to focus on waiting for an audio cue, which eliminates those mind games you tend to start playing when you are addressing the ball. You know, the ones that get you all tensed up and anxious, the ones that took away any chance you ever had of a good smooth swing tempo.
Your golf buddies will probably make comments like, "Wow, Your swing is so much smoother". They won't notice 'Faster'.
Because as I said...Golf Swing Speed and Golf Swing Tempo are two different things.

Whether you share this secret with them....Is up to you!

Steve Snead lives in Youngstown Ohio. Married with 5 children, Steve teaches golf to children of all ages. Steve Snead's
Golf Swing Aid Blog

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Putting A Stop To Food Cravings

Most of us don't eat the perfect diet and we have struggles with food, same as everyone else. Having an awareness of this and knowing a little bit about our health and food nutrition can help when it comes to making wise decisions.

Many people struggle with food "cravings." Studies tell us that it's fairly common for food cravings to happen quite often at around bedtime. Your guard may be down, you may have had an unusually hard day, and off you go on your not-so-merry way to find that tasty treat.

When food cravings are unconstrained, what starts out as a bedtime snack quickly turns into a full blown feeding frenzy. We head to the kitchen and every other place where food can hide, clearing a path as we go.

Most food cravings are not about satisfying a nutritional need or imbalance. They seem to be more emotionally related, or God forbid, are caused by plain old gluttony. Exactly why we over-indulge is not completely understood.

Listed below are some thoughts and ideas about food cravings:

- If the food isn't available, you can't eat it! Empty the cookie jar and keep it that way! Keep healthy food choices on-hand.

- Recognize the feelings and emotions that lead-up to a food craving. Do you have food cravings when you’re bored, lonely, or stressed? If you can identify a trigger, you can deal with the emotion that’s making you desire a certain food.

- Don't beat yourself-up. There is always tomorrow. Call a friend, make good use of your support network and share your feelings with someone.

- Get enough sleep. When you’re tired, you’re more likely to crave things.

- Never give-up. When you "slip", do whatever is necessary to re-gain control. Try to practice restraint most of the time,

Think moderation and not abstinence at all times!

- Understand that self-control and discipline by themselves, won't cut it! If you depend totally on yourself for control, you will fail. Forming caring and supportive relationships is required. If you do not currently have a support network, start building one TODAY.

- Exercise. It increases feel-good endorphins that cut down on your cravings. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.

- Use moderation. Instead of stuffing yourself with every kind of food hoping that your craving will go away, eat 100 to 200 calories of your "craved" food.

- Substitute with low-fat foods and complex carbs. If you’re hungry for chocolate, eat non-fat chocolate yogurt. Try fig bars or raisins for a sweet craving.

- Never skip a meal. Eat every three to five hours. Try six smaller meals or regular meals with nutritious snacks.

- Understand that hunger cravings are oftentimes stress related; walk in the park, spiritual connections, a cozy fireplace, baths...all these stimulate regions of the brain that stimulate pleasure. Relaxation techniques may also work. Bottom line, substitute pleasurable experiences for comfort foods.

- Beware of certain medications. They can stimulate appetite. Drugs used for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder can be appetite stimulants. Other drugs, both prescription and over the counter, may influence appetite as well. If you are on a medication, and troubled by food cravings, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist. You may be able to find an alternative that doesn't send your cravings out of control.

- Distract Yourself. Get busy. Do anything other than cave-in to your desire for food.

- Look inside your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets and do some "house cleaning." Throw-out that unhealthy stuff and start shopping more wisely. Careful planning will go a long way for improving your chances of success.

Eat wisely, be happy, and live long!

How to Rock an Interior Wall with Cultured Stone

An interior wall of drywall or plywood can with a few tools, some material and about a weekend(depending on job size), be turned into a conversational masterpiece. You can make a dramatic back splash in your kitchen or rock your entry way...just use your own imagination.

Materials: You will need...your choice of rock, sand, mortar "Type S", galvanized mesh wire, 1 1/4" roofing tacks, tarp or plastic to cover floor...you may need a grout bag(if you are going to have a mortar joint between the rocks), mortar "Type N" for grout and trim.

Tools: You will need a wheel barrow, mixing hoe, shovel, trowel, mud board, gloves, level and broom.

First cover floor with tarp or plastic to protect floor from splatter. Apply galvanized mesh wire with roofing tacks from stud to stud to ensure that wire is securely attached to the wall.

Now it is time to make the mortar.The recipe for mortar mix is 200lbs of sand (14 square shovels) per bag of mortar mix, 4 or 5 gallons of water. You can purchase sand in 100lb bags, which actually works out good when you are doing a small job mixing in a wheel barrow. It is recommended when using a wheel barrow to cut the recipe in half and only mix 1/2 of a bag of mortar mix at a time. Your mortar mix should be the consistency of cake batter.

Scatter rocks and get a pattern in mind. Spread mortar with trowel over mesh wire a couple of feet at a time. Unless you are laying stack stone, you can start at either the top or the bottom.

Pick the rock that you want to place, spread mortar on back of the rock, not too much, about 3/8" to 1/2" bead of mortar. Too much adds more weight and rock won't stay on wall. Place in on the wall and apply pressure. Give a slight wiggle after pressure has been applied. Allow 3 to 5 seconds for good contact and repeat. The reason for only applying the mortar a couple feet at a time is that the mortar on the wall needs to be fresh so that the mortar on the back of the rock will mesh with it.

River Rock, Castle Stone and other kinds of rock require a 3/8" or 1/2" spacing between rocks for a mortar joint. Stack Stone stacks on top of each other and requires no mortar joint.

After wall has been layed. Wet grout bag, trowel bag 1/2 full of mortar. Twist like a cake decorator, bring point to wall and squeeze. Follow joint around rock getting it completely full, stopping to retwist grout bag as you go. Grout entire wall and give mortar about 1 hour(depending on temperature) to set up. Put on a pair of gloves and use your finger to wipe down all mortar joints. You want your mortar to be just below the rock. This will leave it smooth and give it a cleaned finished look. Sweep wall to remove any leftover dust. If needed you can add a piece of trim at the edge.

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Better Golf... Through Knowledge

Better Golf... Through Knowledge

It is said that "What you don't know can't hurt you". In golf, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Let’s take a look at a few things the average golfer probably doesn't know about and how these things are probably costing you strokes.

Practice makes perfect... Not!

Practice only makes perfect if you are reinforcing proper swing techniques. For most golfers, a practice session consists of ripping through a bucket of balls on their lunch break or on the way home from work. A trip to the range will not help you unless you are going to spend the time to "work" on your swing, and not just reinforce those bad habits you've already developed. Use the following suggestions to help you turn that grip it and rip it pit stop at the range into a true practice session.

1. Only bring one club to the range with you at a time.

2. Hit a small bucket of balls and take your time with each swing.

3. Slow down your swing and try to hit the ball straight, not far.

Go ahead, blame your clubs!

There's a good chance that your clubs could be at fault for all those miss hits, even if they are brand new and cost you over $2000. The problem is, if they don't fit you and your swing, then even when you make that perfect swing the ball isn't going to end up where you wanted it to be. Club length, shaft flex, lie angle, and grip size will each greatly affect your golf game if they are not properly fitted to you. Get custom fitted for clubs and see what the difference is compared to what you have now. You could be losing a lot of strokes because of them.

Get some balls!

But don't get just any golf balls. And that doesn't mean that you should run out and buy the most expensive ball on the market. You need to get the right kind of ball for your game. Do you need extra distance? How about stopping power? Or soft feel? With so many different types of balls on the market today it makes it difficult to find a ball that suits your game. Here are a few tips on what different caliber golfers should look for in a ball.

1. Beginner - Distance, Durability, $

2. Intermediate - Higher Spin, Softer Feel, $$

3. Advanced - Tour Quality, Distance, Spin, Feel, $$$

There are a lot of little things that go into making a great golfer. Having a great swing helps, but that is the hardest part to get right. The easiest way to cut strokes is to learn about golf club fitting, ball selection, and practice routines and how they can improve your game. You’ll be surprised by the results.

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Teaching Wedge Blocking for Youth Football

The Double and Single Wing offensive systems institute the Wedge Blocking strategy. This may appear different than every other scheme of blocking you will teach, but later on after you observe it succeed, you will apply this system into your recent offense. In the early going it will look foreign to coach and look unorthodoxied. It requires tremendous fortitude as you coach this system to the squad.



It will be a slow advancement, but as soon as it has been taught the right way, it will be a crushing artillery in your arsenal. Waste no time teaching this system and start teaching this as early as day one. Your team needs to understand how important the wedge series is to the team. You will be capable of gaining a large amount of yards, and even those vital short yardage downs.



This actually is not difficult to show, but make sure that it is taught right. All lineman have to press into the lineman adjacent to him and form an solid area, wedge or upside down V.



The goal is on the snap of the ball, all blockers need to move together and step straight forward and towards the inside together. If you are using zero line splits, it will be simple to seal shoulders with the player adjacent to them. The key is that all linemen move forward together in harmony. Once your line is as close together as they can get, they now need to move together as one. Under no circumstance can any player on defense be allowed to bust the wedge. After the wedge is in place, the squad must practice staying together as one , while moving at equal speed. The purpose of the wedge to remain as one and keeping defenders out for as long as conceivable.



The best way to introduce the wedge is for a coach to stand with a dummy over the right side guard and make the players step, seal, and complete the wedge. After this action is perfected, then have the group move as one and try to knock the coach back down the field. Every player needs to step together, as one as they remain in the wedge. I define perfection as being able to execute the play, or in this case the drill for 10 perfect repetitions.



Opponents will attempt many different techniques to try and break up your wedge. One of the more popular techniques is to dive down at your lineman's knees. The best way to counter this move is to use high knees and step on their backs. When their backs start hurting, the defense will quit chopping your linemen's legs. Another great counter move is to run one of the wedge fake plays. Fake plays can be extremely effective because the whole defense will be "selling out" in an attempt to stop the wedge. The speedy pass routes or delayed reverses work great. Both the Double Wing and Single Wing have complete wedge series. No matter what age or experience level you coach, the wedge will be one of your strongest.





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Jim Oddo has been coaching pee wee, flag, pop warner and youth football for over 23 years. He has attained an 80+% winning percentage. Read how to win with over 400 FREE tips and posts regarding every area of little guy football at: http://footballplaybooks.info. In addition to coaching tips, there are many different offensive and defensive playbooks all modified in Youth Football Playbooks.

You can find additional info at the following links:

Click Here for more information
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Attaining The Perfect Golf Swing

The game of golf has a Holy Grail, a mythical thing that everyone is searching for but nobody ever seems to find: the perfect golf swing. The reason for this is simply that there is no such thing as a perfect golf swing. Each person is different, and so the swing style that is right for them will vary somewhat. However, there are a few basics that when applied can dramatically improve your golf swing.

There is no doubt that a professional golf swing is at the heart of the game and it is not possible to expect to play a reasonably good game of golf if one is not able to produce a consistent and good professional golf swing. Golf specific exercises play a key role in helping any golfer dramatically improve on their game quicker and perfect various aspects of their game much more rapidly, such as the golf swing plane.

The Swing Plane

The swing plane represents the path on which your golf club should travel upon during the swing. A good swing plane is vital if you want to be a consistent golfer. The idea that separates the high handicapper and low handicapper is usually the ability to rotate your body, keeping the club on a consistent swing plane.

One of the easiest ways to analyze your swing plane is have someone film you. A more high tech way to assist you in correcting your swing plane is a laser light that fits onto the end of the club handle. A swing trainer can also help you with your swing plane. Don't try to force the club into the correct swing plane, as this is counter-productive.

Swing Speed

When it comes to swing speed some players just cannot swing the golf club very quickly. It takes an optimum level of strength to produce a high enough swing speed to hit the ball the correct distances. Using a golf training club is one of the most effective ways to increase golf swing speed and power. The Speed Stik Golf Swing Trainer is one of the better golf swing trainers available on the market today.

Developing core strength is important for increasing golf power levels and swing speed, which is why the proper exercise is also very important to improving your swing.

Swing Exercises

When you are implementing a golf fitness exercise into your golf swing improvement program, you must be able to place the body in the correct starting position of the exercise. It is a proven fact that muscles used in the golf swing that are not exercised and conditioned on a regular basis with the correct exercise will usually not respond to the correct golfing techniques.

Most of the touring pros are now using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing and have seen their driving distance go way up. I can’t tell you how many golfers have emailed me telling me their amazing improvements in power, distance and accuracy from using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing.

The power exercise in the golf swing can also tremendously improve on the enjoyment of the game by eliminating pain, even as your body is strengthened to play a better game. Failure to execute a proper golf swing has even been responsible for numerous nagging injuries many golfers suffer, which further hampers their game.

So there you have it. There is no Holy Grail, no perfect golf swing, but there are three fundamental improvements that can be made: in the swing plane, swing speed, and regularly engaging in swing exercises. If you are careful to pay attention to each of these three aspects of swing training, you are sure to see significant improvements in your golf game.

Health Clubs � The Most Questionable Fee Gaining Popularity Right Now

For many people, the day they join a health club is supposed to be a major positive turning point in their life. After all, the decision to get in shape is never an easy one.

However, many clubs are really taking advantage of the fact that most people don’t really read the agreements that they sign.

These health clubs are putting in “stealth” fees that, while legal, leave many people wondering about the ethics of the clubs that use them.

So, what’s the killer fee that most people are completely unaware of?

It’s called the “facility improvement fee” or “facility improvement addendum” and it’s lighting up many members around the country.

Here is how it works. When you join a club that has one of these fees, you typically have to initial a spot that states that the club is going to draft a fee of $25 every (pick a month and date) of every year you are a member for facility improvements. In some instances, you don’t even have to initial beside it, it’s just there.

Now, that doesn’t seem like such a big deal. After all, the club does need to have new equipment, new paint, and money to get things fixed up.

In actuality, the many clubs never use this money for the improvement of their club at all. In fact, it’s just another profit center for them and it goes right in the owner’s pocket. Legally, they can do this due to the way the contract is written. Typically, it’ll say something like:

“Â…to be used for maintenance, upkeep, and any other club expense deemed necessary by management.”

To be honest, I’ve walked in a few clubs that don’t look like they’ve been cleaned in ages but they sure do charge the facility improvement fee.

Here are the biggest scams with “facility improvement fees”

• Charge the fee and never fix anything
• Only charge the fee to people with monthly memberships
• Charge the fee for “future” club expansion
• Charge late and bounce fees when the unplanned for draft attempts to go through

If your club charges a “facility improvement fee,” find out what they plan to improve this year. Ask to get an itemized list for all of the members. Should your fee be a legitimate fee, management won’t have any problems with providing this.

Make sure that your club is accountable to you with the money you pay. Granted, the owners have every right to do whatever they want with any dues based income. However, a fee that has a specific name should be used to that purpose.

If you are looking for clubs and you come across a “facility improvement fee,” make sure it looks like the health club LOOKS like it’s been improved or at least kept up. Think about it, if health clubs have an average member base of 2000 members times $25, that $50,000 should go a long way.

And remember, this is $50,000 EACH YEAR in improvements.

In conclusion, make sure to read all of your agreements and question any fees that seem a little questionable. A “facility improvement fee” can be a good thing if the fee is actually used for what it’s designed for. However, don’t let unscrupulous owners use it as another way to line their pockets.

Copyright © 2006 Brad Howard

Golf Course and Waterfront Living

With today’s planned lifestyle communities, golf and boating enthusiasts have an opportunity to purchase the vacation and retirement home of their dreams just a chip shot away from the green or stone’s throw from the marina. In addition to an ideal home setting, golf and waterfront community residents enjoy an active and diversified lifestyle experience complete with first-class golf courses, marinas, beaches, spas, clubhouses, recreation areas, fine dining and countless other amenities.

Out of the 10,000 master planned communities across the United States, over 2,500 are built around golf courses and pristine waterfront property. Making sense of all the options can be mind boggling. If you are thinking about relocating to one of these golf and waterfront communities, it is imperative to be able to distinguish one community from the next and more importantly, know what to look for before you buy.

In the past, golf and waterfront master planned communities catered to distinct segments of the housing market, namely middle to upper income empty nesters and retirees. Things have changed. Today, golf course and waterfront developments are designed to accommodate budgets of all levels and generally fall into one of two categories: multi-generational and age restricted.

The construction of multi-generational communities represents a recent trend in planned community home building. The underlying idea is to attract a diverse population of families including retirees and young professionals of varying income levels and backgrounds in order to establish a robust and vibrant community. After decades of building age restricted communities, builders and developers have recognized that the traditional elements of planned community living such as security, on-site amenities and low maintenance housing appeal to home buyers of all ages.

Most new communities are multi-generational developments. Vistancia situated in the beautiful Sonoran desert outside of Peoria, Arizona is a recently opened golf community attracting individuals and families of all ages. Since home sales began in March 2004, almost 500 families have moved into this scenic development with 1,700 total acres of open space and a 900-acre mountain preserve.

Conversely, age restricted planned communities are developed for the +55 home owner with amenities and facilities for today’s discerning empty nester and retiree. Typically, the age restriction requires one household resident to be at least 55 in order to qualify for home ownership. Over the last decade, an evolution has occurred with the age restricted community model of yesteryear making way for contemporary activity based developments complete with lavish amenities and world-class recreation areas, not to mention the conventional facilities required by the +55 demographic.

The undisputed leader in age restricted master planned community development is Del Webb. Since the 1960s, Del Webb has constructed numerous age restricted golf and waterfront communities across the United States. Del Webb’s Sun City developments are arguably the most recognizable line of age restricted communities stretching from coast to coast with Sun City Hilton Head in North Carolina and Sun City Lincoln Hill in California.

The most important criterion in selecting a traditional home is location and the same is true when deciding on a golf and waterfront community. The old adage “location, location, location” aside, one has to consider whether the new property will serve as a primary residence, second home getaway or retirement abode. The final location decision is generally based on three primary factors: home use, surrounding area and local weather.

For most of us working folk, our primary residence is located within an hour or so of a major metropolitan center. Don’t fret, there are hundreds of golf and waterfront communities centrally located within driving distance from most major metropolitan areas. If by chance you live near Dallas, you have several options to choose from including Stonebridge Ranch in north Dallas and Black Horse Ranch which is only 25 minutes from downtown. Washington D.C. commuters are also in luck with conveniently located golf and waterfront communities in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Belmont Country Club, a Toll Brothers property, is a mere 40 minutes from Washington D.C. in Ashburn, Virginia. These examples represent only a fraction of the actual number of suburban golf and waterfront developments.

The location decision is a bit more complicated and not as clear cut when one considers purchasing a second home retreat or retirement residence. In this situation, other factors come in to play such as the activity and cultural richness of the immediate area and of course, local weather. If you are looking for a second home, would you like to be nestled in the woods away from the hustle and bustle of the city, located in a more suburban area or some in between?

Climate is also an integral factor to take into consideration when purchasing a home particularly if you are feeling abused by recent harsh winters. This may clearly point to a direction that takes you out of your home state or even to another part of the country. Conversely, the summer’s never ending heat may drive you to consider the cooler climates up north. Fortunately, there are 2,500 golf and waterfront communities spread out across the United States from Minnesota to Texas and California to Massachusetts.

What is clear in the case of retirement homes is that good local health care and transportation facilities are a must. For most retirees, living over 60 miles away from the closest hospital or airport is just not an option. In the end, it comes down to striking a balance between modern necessities and the beauty of the great outdoors.

Once you have settled on a geographic location, the next area to focus on is amenities. These can vary greatly from one golf and waterfront development to the next. Typically, these expanded ‘goodies’ fall into two categories: conveniences and lifestyle enhancements. Conveniences include such things as security services, home maintenance, gardening services, concierge service, on-site retail and office space, cable television and high-speed internet.

Lifestyle enhancements relate to recreation activities and rest and relaxation befitting an enhanced life of leisure. One can find a mix of facilities at planned communities which support numerous activities like tennis, hunting, boating, skiing, and hiking. To balance the rigors of recreation, planned communities provide residents with rest and relaxation amenities such as spas, clubhouses, wilderness preserves, pools, beaches and fine dining.

With real estate opportunities for every budget, isn’t it about time you looked into moving to a golf and waterfront community that offers unbelievable vistas, year round activities, low maintenance living and first-class amenities?

Visit http://www.golfhomeconnect.com to find information on vacation and retirement homes.

Become a More Athletic Golfer to Improve Your Golf Game

Golf and Fitness are two terms that can finally go hand in hand, thanks to one Tiger Woods and his famous mystery workout routine, and the other professional and amateur players who have followed his lead. Once an activity perhaps identified more with pot bellies, motorized carts and cups of beer on the course than physical strength and a good physique, there is now no question that golf has entered the world of a full fledged sport that requires physical training to perform at its best. Golfers on the professional tours look like athletes now, with more and more toned athletic bodies being seen on TV crushing the ball down the longest, most difficult courses in the world. Spending some time in the gym has been shown that it can make as big a difference in a golfer's score as time on the range or putting green. The game itself has changed, and the way players approach it has changed, as well.

As a personal trainer and avid golfer, the relationship between fitness and golf is a natural one to maintain, but it wasn't that way when I started playing the game as a junior. I first picked up clubs when I was about 5, then started playing seriously by about the seventh grade. By seriously I mean it had become the obsession that many golfers feel when they realize they would rather be golfing than just about anything else. A group of friends and I played regularly, and by high school, we were not only on our golf team together, we were some of the best players in our entire small town.

I was never able to hit the ball as far as my friends on the team, and one thing they told me over and over was that I should lift weights and get stronger, which at the time they did because they also played on the basketball team in the winter. As a skinny cross country runner at the time, I saw no need nor had any interest in lifting, as the weight room intimidated me in high school. I look back almost 30 years later as a much stronger, longer and better player than I was then (because I lift weights!) and wonder what might have been had I listened to them.

What my friends on the golf team did in the high school weight room in the early 80's was primitive to the workout science and programs that are available to golfers now, but they were definitely on to something. One way to look at it was that before it became popular, they were athletes who happened to play golf, and it showed in the length they had off the tee. This athletic approach can be applied to any golfer's game in the present day and immediately improve their ability to play better. With some examination, it is easy to see why.

The golf swing itself is actually an incredibly complex movement that combines virtually every muscle in the body into one coordinated action. The requirements of balance, coordination, flexibility, stability, strength and power all come into play in just one swing. Over the course of a practice session or round, endurance becomes a factor as well. Having some physical fitness in all of these areas can make for a much more effective swing. It is a bit ironic that golf itself does not require you to be in shape to play (unlike running a 10 k race, for example, which needs a level of fitness to even be attempted), nor will it really get you in shape by playing regularly (unless you walk rather than ride a cart). Yet working out overall dramatically increases the ability to perform the golf swing itself. So many players look to the next big expensive driver to add yardage off the tee. Well, what it they could hit it harder by being in better shape, and straighter, too?

Getting into the specifics of golf fitness, flexibility is paramount in the modern golf swing. The ability to turn the body through the trunk away from the ball, storing potential energy on the backswing, while maintaining an anchored, solid stance through the legs and hips, is what has been shown to generate the most power. Tiger Woods has a tremendous shoulder turn on his backswing which sets him up to uncoil with great speed through the ball on the downswing.

A person taking golf lessons and attempting to emulate Tiger's shoulder turn typically doesn't even have a body physically capable of doing that motion effectively! They may be taking lessons, yet are prevented from practicing the motion that they are learning by a lack of flexibility and fitness in the muscles of the trunk and back. Only by improving their fitness in these areas through proper training can they then expect to perform the proper motion.

In addition to flexibility, core strength and stability throughout the body are essential as well. These fitness terms refer to the body's strength in the trunk and the ability of the muscles of the entire body to operate in a coordinated, athletic way, which provide a stable "platform" in the body for hitting the golf ball. The more coordinated and stable the body is, the less motion is wasted during the swing and the more effort goes straight into hitting the ball where it is meant to go.

After flexibility is attained and a good amount of core strength and stability as well, more basic strength can then be added into a fitness routine. This could be along the lines of the classic term "lifting weights" that my high school buddies wanted me to do. A flexible and stable body that gets stronger, as long as the flexibility is not lost, can add significantly more effort to the golf swing, especially in situations where the ball may be in the rough or have a lie that requires more effort than the typical swing. If you watched Tiger Woods during the US Open in June, 2007, his physique from his fitness routine looked more muscular than ever, yet was very flexible. There were comments from the TV announcers many times on the level of his fitness and how it played out in making his game more effective. He is quite capable of hitting shots no one else on earth can because of his fitness level. As a result, he has more shots available to him to help him score.

So we know now how fitness has changed the game of golf and what is available to the player who chooses to add more fitness to their routine and golf game. Anyone can benefit from some exercise that is golf specific, and can participate at the level that they want. A person doesn't have to workout like Tiger Woods to get better. Sometimes even just working out regularly itself can make all the difference.

Copyright (c) 2007 Charles Carter