Friday, June 7, 2013

Golf Swing Tips To Cure Your Slice

You don’t have hours every day to perfect your golf swing on the range. Are there any golf swing tips that you can practice at home that will simplify your swing and help your score? You bet there are!

Summary

- posture is key!
- feel the turn
- hands lead at impact

The one thing I have had the most trouble with in my golf career is knowing if my set up is correct. I’m not alone. From what I’ve seen on the golf course, most amateurs have no chance of hitting the ball well because their set up is so poor.

The problem is this: what feels “good” is almost never “right”. You may feel o.k., but you are really bending your knees too much, or not enough. Maybe you aren’t straightening your left arm, or you hunch your shoulders unconsciously.

I won’t go into all the details of the correct set up here. Instead, I’ll give you one golf swing tip that will help you no matter what your set up flaws may be. Simply do thisÂ…

Practice setting up to the ball. When you are ready to swing, check these three things: 1. Your left arm (for RH golfers) is fully but comfortably extended. 2. The club is barely touching the ground behind the ball. 3. The club is lying flat (i.e. the toe or heel is not off the ground).

If anything is off, change something in your posture to “fit” the club to the ground behind the ball. Once you get all three aspects correct, try to memorize that feel and go on to the next drill.

The only way to get a powerful, inside to out golf swing is to turn the shoulders. This drill helps you feel the correct sensation.

After setting up in drill one, take the club back slowly. I won’t go into the correct takeaway here. The point is to have the correct position at the top that will set you up for a powerful inside to out downswing.

As you get to the top of your swing, the only thing you should focus on is feeling your left shoulder tucked under your chin. The seam of your shirt on top of your shoulder should be completely under your chin.

Getting used to this feeling at the top of your backswing is the number one cure for a slice and gives you the best chance for an inside to out downswing. This golf swing tip helped me get rid of my slice forever. It will work for you too!

Hands Before Club Head

Now you are ready for the last drill. From the top of your backswing, slowly begin your downswing. Focus on dropping your arms and coming at the ball from the inside.

Stop just as you are about to hit the ball (or where the ball would be if you are practicing without a ball). Look at your hands. Are they ahead of the club head? They should be.

To hit the ball consistently and powerfully, your hands must be ahead of your hands when you strike the ball. If they are not, go back to the end of drill two and do it again.

The purpose of these golf swing tips is to teach you the correct feel at three critical points in your golf swing: setup, the top of the backswing, and impact. Practice these drills every day slowly.

The goal is for your body to recognize and repeat the same feelings that go along with the correct positions. Soon your body will instinctively go to these positions because you’ve repeatedly ingrained the right feel.

I recommend using a mid-iron for these drills, but any club will work. Once you get it down with one club, see how using a different club affects your feel at each of the three positions.

Of course, the golf swing tips in this article are just the tip of the iceberg. You can copy many things from pros as well. The Tiger Woods golf swing or the Ben Hogan golf swing might be a good fit for you. However, these three golf swing tips will help any golfer no matter what your body size or skill level.

Practice these drills to get the right feeling without hitting balls. Once the feel becomes instinct, you’ll see an incredible improvement to your ball flight and your scores! Combine these drills with other drills to improve your golf game and you'll be a happy golfer! Remember to have fun out there!

Amen Corner Celebrates Its 50th Year

Every player with a golf handicap has heard of Amen Corner. This storied section of Augusta National golf Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Amen Corner is among the most famous pieces of real estate in golf. It's also one of its toughest to play. It's taught many a player a golf lesson or two. In fact, quite a few players have faltered coming around this corner, only to drop out of contention.





Amen Corner has also been the site of controversy in the Masters. In fact, that's how it got its name. It was there that Arnold Palmer took the lead-and some say won the 1958 Masters-on a controversial shot, one that never sat well with runner up, Ken Venturi. The shot eventually led to Palmer's first Masters win. While many golfers know of Amen Corner and its place in golf history, few are aware of how it really got its name.





Naming Amen Corner





The name Amen Corner refers to holes No. 11,12,13. Herbert Warren Wind coined the name in a 1958 article for Sports Illustrated, in which he wrote that Amen Corner included the second half of 11 and all of 12 and 13. Wind borrowed the name from an old jazz recording called "Shoutin' at Amen Corner." Amen Corner was a section of New York City that was the hub for the production of Bibles.





Wind named that section of Augusta after witnessing the seemingly miraculous way in which Arnold Palmer played the three holes on the final day of the '58 Masters. The official website of The Masters describes the happenings this way:





"Saturday evening in 1958, heavy rains soaked the course. For Sunday's round, a local rule was adopted allowing a player whose ball was embedded to lift and drop it without penalty.





Sunday on No. 12, Arnold Palmer hit his ball over the green and the ball embedded in the steep bank behind it. Being uncertain about the applicability of the local rule, the official on the hole and Palmer agreed that the ball should be played as it lay and that Palmer could play a second ball, which he dropped. Palmer holed out for a 5 with the original ball and a 3 with the second ball. The committee was asked to decide if the local rule was applicable and if so, which score should count.





"At No. 13, still unsure of what his score was at 12, Palmer sank an 18-foot putt for eagle 3. When he was playing No. 15, Palmer was told his drop at 12 was proper and that his score on the hole was 3, leading to his first major victory."





Ties To Early American History





In addition to being the site of Palmer's controversial actions, Amen Corner has some ties to early American history, as the location of Rae's Creek is situated at this spot. Named after John Rae, who died in 1789, Rae's Creek runs in front of the green on 12th, has a tributary leading to the tee at No.13, and flows at the back of the green at No.11.





It was Rae's house that was a secondary fortress up the Savannah River from Fort Augusta. The house kept resident's safe during Indian attacks when the fort was out of reach. Hogan Bridge, named after golfing legend Ben Hogan, is also part of Amen Corner.





Internet Coverage





Amen Corner is so prestigious a piece of golf real estate that last year it got its own Internet coverage. As was the case in 2007, Amen Corner Live will again feature live streaming video of the 11th, 12th, and 13th, holes from Augusta National Golf Club. Amen Corner Live will be available free of charge at http://www.cbs.sportsline.com all four days of the tournament. In total, there will be more than 26 hours of live video from Augusta.





This year CBS is adding holes 15 and 16 to the coverage. In 2007, users of Amen Corner Live viewed over four million video streams of live golf action with an average time spent viewing of approximately three hours per visit.





Online coverage of the Masters Tournament on CBSSports.com debuted in 2006 with Amen Corner Live, live streaming video of the 11th, 12th and 13th holes from the Augusta National Golf Club. Amen Corner Live returned in 2007 and was joined by Masters Extra, live streaming video of the entire field and course from the Masters Tournament for one hour prior to television coverage.





In addition, ESPN.com offers a slide show commemorating 50 years of Amen Corner. If you're a fan of golf, you won't want to miss coverage of this year's Masters. You'll not only enjoy watching it, you might pick up a golf tip or two that will help with your golf handicap.





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.

How to Drive a Golf Ball

How to Drive a golf Ball

There is nothing more beautiful to a golfer than a high flying drive that travels over 250 yards and splits the fairway. Power and accuracy are the key to good tee shots but how do you hit them long and straight consistently? Driving a golf ball begins with the proper grip, ball position and stance.

The first change you will probably need to make to achieve greater distance is to adjust your grip. The longest hitters have very strong grips which mean that their lower hand is more dominant in the swing. For lefthanders this means turning your left hand clockwise so that two to three knuckles are visible as your look down. Grip strength is determined not by how tight you hold the club but whether your dominant hand is turned more to the right or the left. For lefties a strong grip has the left hand covering more of the right hand while a weaker grip does not. A strong grip will promote a draw which will carry father and then will roll more once it releases because of the top spin it encourages.

Ball position is another big factor that will determine your distance off the tee. You want to get the ball up in the air quickly, so with the driver the best place to position the ball is just inside your front foot. For lefthanders this means lining up the ball with the heel of your right foot. For tee shots you will also want to tee the ball up high for the longest possible drives.

The other big factor which will determine distance and direction off the tee is your golf stance. Much of your power comes from your legs so you need to set a solid foundation for your swing. Your feet should be a little more than shoulder width apart and slightly open to encourage a wide body turn. Lefthanders need to make sure that their front foot is facing out; think of a clock and point the big toe of your right foot at 1 o clock. Since you are setting up to draw the ball from left to right, remember to aim your shot left of your target.

For more information, go to, www.golfforlefthanders.com where you will find great deals on equipment and accessories. Video instructional lessons and DVD's from a master like Jack Nicklaus and David Leadbetter who will show you a simple correct and proper way of developing a powerful golf swing. There are more written articles on all the aspects of the game. An e book covering issues related to the beginner golfer. We cover subjects such as How to drive the ball? How to play a shot on an uphill or downhill lie? How to play long bunker shots and greenside bunker shots? How to practice with purpose? Each week a new article is written to cover these and other topics that l know is of interest to all golfers especially those who are just starting on their new adventure.

Good golfing

Golf for Left Handers.com



Thursday, June 6, 2013

Just A Few Golf Rules & Regulations


Many golf spectators often wonder how such a laid back sport can have rules and regulations with the exception of remaining quite throughout the course of the game. Rules and Regulations are vital part of every sport. golf sport also has certain rules and regulations that are must to be followed by the players.

Golf being a unique sport, the rules of golf are internationally standardized and governed by two associations known as the Royal and Ancient Golf club of St Andrews and United States Golf Association. Jurisdiction of the governed rules is limited to United States and Mexico.

It is very easy to cheat in any kind of sport. The prime rule that is followed in this Sport is of fairness. Players have to be fair in playing this game.

Since it’s a royal game, it is very important to understand to play the ball from the position where it has come to rest after a stroke.

No assistance has to be provided to the player under any circumstances.

Unless the rule defines, the condition of the ground or other parts of the course cannot be altered for the advantage of the player.

Replacing a ball by another player is only allowed if a hole is destroyed (Rule 5-3), (Rule 27-1) lost, or unplayable (Rule 28). If the rules permit than situation is otherwise.

However the player may substitute balls between the play of two holes.

Following these basic rules is mandatory, because of the revised and updated version of rules every year by R&A and USGA.

Strict regulations are also set for the amateur status of Golfers; the site that will help in this is http://www.usga.org/playing/amateur_status/amateur_status.html.

Receiving payment or compensation for giving instruction or playing Golf for money is not considered as amateur and they wont be able to participate in competitions, which are strictly for amateurs.

Safety, fairness, easiness and pace of play are some of the etiquettes that are must to be followed by the Golf players. Etiquettes are an effort to improve every player’s experience.

Golf sport is not discouraging its players, but it tends to encourage its players by keeping up the sporty spirit of wining in faith.

Another rule in the game of golf is to look the par. It is poor etiquette to wear sneakers and jeans on the golf course.

MMA � Profile MMA fighter Anderson Silva


Anderson Silva is a Brazilian MMA fighter who has made quite a name for himself in the mixed martial arts world. He was born on April 14, 1975, and is a Brazilian fighter who has competed in a variety of different venues from amateur leagues to the UFC. Some of his major accomplishments include being the UFC Middleweight Champion, the Cage Rage World Middleweight Champion, and also the Shooto Middleweight Champion. He weighs around 185 pounds and is largely considered one of the greatest middleweight fighters in the sport. He has mastered his skills in Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, but has an arsenal of other techniques and fighting styles under his belt.

Anderson Silva's mixed martial arts career first began in Brazil when he fought in the Mecca Organization. He lost his very first official fight but then went on to win the next nine and even defeated the current Shooto champion of that time, Hayato Sakurai. After this small but successful Brazilian stint, he moved into the PRIDE Fighting Championships in 2002. Silva won his first three fights in this league but in PRIDE 26 he lost to Daiju Takase when he got a good strangle hold on him. After that loss he went through a few other promotions until he joined the Cage Rage promotion that was held in England. There during Cage Rage 8, he fought UFC veteran Lee Murray and defeated him by decision. He went back and forth between the PRIDE and Cage Rage promotions with a mixed record of wins and losses until he finally signed with the UFC in the mid 2000's.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship would prove to be a good move for Anderson Silva. After signing with the UFC, Silva would already start to be promoted as a favorite to win the Middleweight title. He fought his first match in the Ultimate Fight Night 5 which was held on June 28, 2006. He would fight Chris Leben who had been undefeated since he entered the league through the Ultimate Fighter 1 challenge. Silva would surprise the UFC by taking out Leben with a series of strikes and a final knee to put him away. After this commanding win, the UFC took a poll to see who the fans wanted Anderson Silva to fight next. The voters picked the then current UFC Champion, Rich Franklin, and Silva was given the chance to fight him later that year.

On October 14, 2006, at UFC 64, Rich Franklin and Anderson Silva entered the ring. After a short round, Silva came out victor with a TKO. It was here that Silva was named Middleweight Champion and where his career really began to take off. Later in February of 2007, Silva would win another convincing victory against Travis Lutter, who was the Ultimate Fighter Season 4 winner. He would win by submission because of his powerful strikes.

Throughout his career, Silva has proven to be one of the best strikers in the sport and has shown that with some impressive wins against some fierce competitors.

You can find additional info at the following links:

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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

How To Start Enjoying Tennis


Tennis is a great sport to get involved with. It's been around for a long time, and has plenty of benefits. Exercise, competition, and outdoor activity all make tennis one of the most popular sports in the United States. There are likely plenty of tennis courts near your home, so there's no reason to not get involved. If you are interested in playing tennis, but don't quite know how to start, then this article is for you. You'll learn the basics of learning the game, finding a partner, and getting the most out of your tennis hobby.

First of all, you'll need to understand the basics of the game, how the score is kept, and the rules. This is pretty simple, and you can learn plenty on the Internet, or by going to your local library. The the score keeping method may sound confusing at first, but it's pretty simple, and you can learn it in few minutes. There are also plenty of free tutorials on YouTube that you can watch.

Now that you've got the rules down, you need to get some equipment. Basically you'll need a racket, a decent pair of sneakers, and some balls. And probably a hat, if you don't already have one. Don't worry about getting the best quality tennis racket just yet. Simply head on over to your local sporting goods shop and ask for a good tennis racket for a beginner. You should be able to get one for thirty or forty dollars.

Next you'll need to learn the basics of how to play. You can do this plenty of ways. if you are rich, you can hire a personal coach. If you are like the rest of us, you can take a beginners tennis class at your local community college. These are pretty cheap and filled with people learning tennis just like you. This can be a great place to start looking for partners to play with.

Now you know the rules, you've got the equipment, and you have the skills, it's time to find some people to play with. If you're lucky, you may have met some people from your class to play with. But if not, you'll be amazed how many of your friends play, and will want to play with you once you let it be known that you are now a tennis player.

By playing tennis on a regular basis, you'll enjoy many benefits. You'll get some sunshine, get some exercise, and reduce your stress by a great deal. You'll also have something to look forward to on the weekends and evenings.

You can find additional info at the following links:

Click Here for more information
Click Here for more information

Golf Is More Than Just A Walk Through The Pasture


Mark Twain once wrote playing golf was a good way to spoil a walk through the pasture. The inimitable Mr. Twain, from this statement, could be believed not to be a golfer. After all, there is more to golfing than just walking through a pasture.

First and foremost, golf is a way to either work out stress and frustration, or, for many, to get even more stressed out and frustrated. It can be the most infuriating game ever played or invented, or the most fun. And, no two trips to the golf course will ever be the same, regardless of how good a player someone is.

This is because the weather conditions are never identical, and weather does play a big part in golf. The more intelligent golfers will not go near the course in a thunderstorm, but there are a few brave, and foolhardy, souls who will brave the elements just to play. The wind also plays a major factor in golf, as the wind will affect the way the ball travels. When hit, golf balls have spin. The spin can be enhanced by the wind, causing the ball to drift away from its intended target. Therefore, the golfer has to take the wind into consideration and plan his or her shot accordingly.

Golf is also a good form of exercise, for those golfers who walk the course. A good course is about two miles around, so playing eighteen holes is roughly equivalent to walking four miles. Any doctor will tell you that such a walk can only be beneficial to the walker’s heart and lungs.

Additionally, playing golf is good for getting out of the house and being outdoors. Golfers can enjoy the sun and wind note the beauty of the nature they’re surrounded by, as the majority of courses are well landscaped and quite pleasing to the eye. Golfers can also watch squirrels and rabbits on the course, sometimes, and take pleasure in the antics of these creatures. This also helps free the golfer from thinking about the mistake he or she made on the last shot or previous hole, calming them down and getting them ready for their next shot.

For others, however, playing golf is a great way to beat stress. After all, a golf course is about the only place a person can knock the crap out of something, not only not get in trouble for hitting something, but being praised and rewarded by knocking the crap out of the ball well. How perfect is that?

Golf is also a game of honor. Surprised? Don’t be. After all, golf is the only game where a person can call a penalty on themselves, and those who play with honor do. Of course, there are the jerks who claim to play golf, but wouldn’t think of calling a penalty on anything they’ve done. Their scores, though, are meaningless, and this kind of behavior will also show up in their day to day lives.