![The 8-Step Swing by Jim McLean [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QB9A2E5AL.jpg)
Jim McLean has analyzed every aspect of the golf swing and shares his theories with millions of players as advisor to The Golf Channel Academy and owner of the acclaimed Jim McLean Golf Schools. In this Golf Channel Home Video, McLean identifies the eight key check point positions, which are the foundation of his teaching. Use these eight steps to check your swing, improve your game, and build a swing to count on for years to come. Price: $19.95
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Professional golfers on the PGA Tour understand the connection between golf swing mechanics and the body. The most notable players in the world have regimented golf fitness programs they adhere religiously too. The benefits of such programs have been well documented in the media. Press clippings from Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, and Phil Mickelson all refer to golf fitness exercises being a component of their regular practice schedule.
The amateur can learn a lot from the pros. They can learn the importance the body has in relation to the golf swing, how golf swing mechanics and the body are intertwined, and improvement in the golf game requires the implementation of a golf fitness program.
Where most amateurs get "off-track" with their golf fitness training is the components and exercises incorporated in such a program. Golf fitness programs are quite different then "general" fitness or "weight training" programs. A golf fitness program is designed to develop the golfer's body around the golf swing. In order for this to occur certain parameters and exercises are required in such a program.
First and foremost the amateur golfer must understand the connection between the golf swing and body. The golf swing is a complex series of biomechanical movements execute by the golfer. In order for the golfer to execute the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. It is necessary for the golfer to have certain physical parameters well developed.
These physical parameters are flexibility, balance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and muscular power. High levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power are required to execute the golf swing correctly. Often times the amateur golfer is not flexible enough, strong enough, or powerful enough to execute the golf swing correctly.
This results in the golfer developing compensation patterns in their golf swing. The result being poor shots and high scores on the golf course. Bottom line is a physical foundation of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power is required to develop an efficient golf swing. If the amateur golfer is lacking in anyone of these categories the foundation upon which the golf swing is being built will be insufficient.
Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the golf swing and the body it is necessary to implement a golf fitness program, A golf fitness program is different than "traditional" training programs in such this type of program develops the body around the golf swing.
A golf fitness program trains the body to the positions, movements, and requirements of the golf swing. A golf fitness program is not concern about "beach muscles" or how one looks in the mirror. Rather a golf fitness program has the primary goal of improving the scores on the golf course and play of the golfer.
This type of improvement is a result of using exercise to develop the physical parameters of the body relative to the golf swing. A golf fitness program will include flexibility exercises, balance drills, muscular strength exercise, endurance training modalities, and power drills. Exercises from all of these categories are included in a comprehensive golf fitness program.
Understand the exercises and drills within each of these categories are not necessarily traditional type of exercises. For example, flexibility exercises for golf are less concerned about touching your toes, and more concerned about completing a full shoulder turn. Flexibility exercises for golf are geared towards developing the flexibility within your body to execute the components of the golf swing correctly.
The same can be said about every other category of exercise and drill incorporated in a golf fitness program. The balance drills in a golf fitness program are designed to improve the golfer's balance capacities relative to the golf swing. Power exercises in a golf fitness program are designed to improve clubhead speed. Where as power drills in other programs may be geared towards improving how fast you run.
Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the golf swing and body, the elements of the body needing development relative to the golf swing, and the components of a golf fitness program. The final component of understanding is golf fitness training order.
Often times the amateur golfer desires more power (i.e. clubhead speed) in their golf swing. As a result they perform only exercises to enhance the power components within their body. What the amateur golfer fails to realize is developing golf strength, endurance, or power is useless if they do not have the flexibility or balance capacities to execute the golf swing. Developing the body for the golf swing requires the amateur golfer to follow a specific order relative to their training programs.
It is necessary for the amateur golfer to first develop their flexibility for the golf swing. Secondly proceed to increasing their balance capacities in relation to the golf swing. Continue the process with developing strength and endurance for the golf swing. Completing the process with power drills to enhance clubhead speed. This guarantees the effort placed within a golf fitness program will enhance the golfer's swing. It becomes a simple process once the golfer is educated on the relationship between the golf swing and the body. The benefits a golf fitness program has upon the golfer's swing, and how to implement golf fitness exercises correctly.
About the Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com
Luke Donald is sprayed with champagne following his victory in a playoff during the final round of the PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, England, on May 29, 2011.
Tags: sport, golf, united-statesThe 31-year-old from Albury started the day two shots back from first round leader American Heather Bowie-Young and carded another round of 68 to finish at 8-under par total and just one shot back from eventual winner Mariajo Uribe from Colombia in the 36 hole event.
A field of 30 international players, including world No.2 Suzann Pettersen and No.4 Cristie Kerr teed off in the limited field event.
Outright third was Swede Maria Hjorth who finished a further shot back at 7-under-par, while fellow Australian Sarah Jane Smith posted a 68 to finished in a tie for fourth with first round leader Bowie-Young.
Uribe collected the first place purse of $101,637 for her efforts, while Wright collected just under $79,051.
The limited field event is unofficial money and does not count on the LPGA Money List.
-AAP
Tags: sport, golf, australia, brazilPresented by Cameron Green and Sacha Mirzabegian
Tied at 6-under par, the pair re-played the 18th - a par-5 - where Westwood put his approach shot into the water surrendering the title and his top spot in the rankings.
Donald was safely on the green in three and when Westwood failed to hole his chip from dropping zone he handed his rival the title.
This is the first time Donald has headed the rankings. He is the third Englishman to do so after Nick Faldo and Westwood and this was his fifth win on the European Tour.
It also made up for the disappointment of finishing runner-up to Simon Khan in this - the Tour's flagship event - last year.
But it was a bitter pill for Westwood to swallow after his last round 68 - his best score of the week and at one point he was two clear of the field.
Donald was ecstatic at reaching the top spot in the world.
"It is something that you dream about but you never know if you are going to get there - but I got there," he said.
"It took a lot of hard work, a lot of sweat and tears, a lot of belief and a lot of failure. But I am sure Lee will be battling hard to get it back.
"But winning is always top of the list. It is a great honour and a great achievement to get to number one but it is the wins that get you there.
"This is the flagship event and with the four major champions here and everybody from the Ryder Cup it is very special."
Westwood felt that he had blown a chance to win the title without going in to a play-off.
"It shouldn't have gone to a play-off," said Westwood.
"I had a good chance at 17. The finish was a bit iffy with a three putt on the 16th and I had chances to birdie the last two but I didn't take them. I finished second not because of the play-off but because I didn't take my chances on 17 and 18."
Donald shot a 64 in the first round which he described as the best golf he could play but relied on his short game to keep him contention in rounds two and three when he was in trouble several times.
Both players had chances to win the championship in regulation play.
Donald had a putt that shaved the hole on the 17th and Westwood was one over par for the last three holes, which include two par-5s.
The world's top two-ranked players were locked in battle all afternoon and when Westwood missed and eight foot putt on the 18th for a birdie he left Donald needing a birdie to take the title.
Donald put his drive on the last in a fairway bunker, laid up short of the water on the par-5 and left himself a 40-foot putt for the title.
But it was asking too much and he and Westwood, who formed such a successful partnership in last autumn's Ryder Cup, were back to the 18th tee for the play-off which was effectively a shoot-out for the world number one spot.
Both were in the perfect spot about 100 metres from the green, but whereas Donald put his pitch to around eight feet, Westwood watched his land on the putting surface and spin into the water.
The 18th has attracted plenty of criticism since it was re-modelled by Ernie Els for last year's event, but it served up a finish full of drama this year.
England's Simon Dyson, who had a final round 69, finished third but Matteo Manassero, who shared the lead overnight, never got going and faded out of contention with a 75.
Earlier Australia's Marcus Fraser shot a 67, 5-under par, which included a run of four birdies from the fourth, to shoot up the leaderboard and Ireland's Shane Lowry equalled that score helped by an eagle on the par-5 18th.
-AFP
Tags: sport, golf, united-kingdom, englandThe golf swing is arguably one of the most difficult athletic actions to perform. The golf swing requires you to draw the golf club through a long range of motion with proper technique and exact timing.
Any error in swing plane, timing, or sequence will cause your golf swing to suffer, and suffer it will. Unfortunately, the result of your golf swing suffering will be errant shots, poor golf scores, and frustration on the golf course.
Often the amateur is at a lost for why their golf swing results in errant shots. Countless hours are spent at the range in an effort to improve their golf swing. Hundreds or even thousands of dollars are spent on lessons each year, and not to mention the purchasing of new equipment.
It all adds up to a lot of time and money spent on improving the golf swing. Unfortunately, for many amateur golfers their handicaps and score never improve. Leading to the question "why is my golf game not improving?"
If this is you and this question lingers in your mind. The answer to your question could easily be staring right back at you in the mirror. The failure of improvement may have absolutely nothing to do with the driver you are swinging, the teaching pro helping you with your swing, or even your practice routine. It could all do with you! Yes you, the physical body swinging the golf club.
Keep in mind the golf club does not perform the mechanics of the golf swing. Nor do the mechanics of the golf swing execute themselves without you. It is you and your body executing the mechanics of the golf swing. The point to make is your body directly affects the mechanics of the golf swing.
Additionally, the golf swing requires your body to encompass certain physical qualities to execute the mechanics of the golf swing correctly. These physical qualities are certain levels of flexibility, muscular strength, balance, and power. If you are lacking the minimal amounts of flexibility, balance, strength, and power to execute the golf swing correctly. Compensations will occur even before you swing the golf club.
For example, let's look at your flexibility. The golf swing requires you to draw the golf club through a large range of motion. The backswing requires a full shoulder turn to set the club in the correct slot for the downswing, and the finish position is almost a mirror image of the backswing.
In order to perform these parts of the golf swing correctly, the muscles of your body must be flexible. An inflexible body in which muscles are "tight" creates restrictions in movement. Restrictions in movement in relation to the golf swing will undoubtedly result in limitations pertaining to golf swing. The limitation will impede you from creating a full shoulder turn and balanced finish position. This causes compensations in the mechanics of the golf swing.
The entire body needs to be flexible for the golf swing. Certain muscles more than others are involved in the golf swing, and if these muscles are "tight" they will directly affect your golf swing. One such set of muscles is your hamstrings.
The hamstrings (back side of your upper leg) are often "tight" and cause problems to many people, not just golfers. However, they have a profound effect on the golf swing and it is not a good effect. Hamstrings that are "tight" are in a shortened position. The shortened position of the hamstrings has a direct effect on the position of your hips. Your hips will be "tucked", directly affecting your posture. This in itself can hamper the ability to place oneself in the correct position at address within the golf swing, not to mention maintaining a proper spine angle during the swing.
Additionally, "tight" hamstrings place an undo amount of stress on the lower back. Large amounts of stress on the lower back cause fatigue, soreness, and increase the possibility of injury. If you are a golfer that has ever experienced lower back pain you know the effect it has on your ability to swing the golf club correctly.
A combination of a postural change and undo amounts of stress on the lower back, just begin to scratch the surface of the effect inflexible muscles can have on the golf swing. "Tight" muscles change the kinematics of the body. As a result, the biomechanics of the golf swing must be altered. These alterations usually lead to compensations in the mechanics of the golf swing resulting in errant shot patterns on the golf course.
And no matter what you do in terms of practice or instruction these alterations will not go away until you address them. Just as you address swing faults, you must address flexibility faults. Flexibility faults can be addressed through golf stretches.
Golf stretches enhance the flexibility of your body in relation to the golf swing. Golf stretches often times return muscles that are "tight" such as the hamstrings to their proper length. This results in the ability of your body to perform the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. If you are one of many golfers who are not finding their golf swing improving through practice and instruction. Take a moment and look at the body swinging the golf club. This very well may be the root of your golf swing problems. Fix your flexibility faults through golf stretches and find yourself on the road to lower golf scores and more enjoyment in the game of golf.
About the Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com
Despite the field featuring 14 Australians, including the defending champion Jason Day and several others who have their US base in Texas, they barely raised an eyebrow.
Low rounds were predicted as players were allowed to lift, clean and place balls on the fairway after massive thunderstorms and hail damage earlier in the week.
But despite being heavily tipped to fare well, the Australian contingent failed to take advantage.
A bogey-free round from Overton gave him a one-stroke lead over countryman Ryan Palmer (65) while nine others, headlined by Spanish star Sergio Garcia and big-hitting American Dustin Johnson, shot 4-under 66 to be tied third.
Robert Allenby, Nick O'Hern and Jarrod Lyle were the only Australians to post rounds under par, each shooting a 1-under 69 to be five shots off the pace.
"A low score was out there so I don't know why (the Australians didn't score low)," Lyle said.
"This is a course you can go low on but they had some tough pins today and the wind was a little flukey."
Day, a Dallas resident, made a double-bogey on his last hole to end up with a 2-over 72.
In-form John Senden, another honorary Texan who was fresh off a top-10 finish at the Crown Plaza Invitational last week, had five bogeys before his first birdie but he battled back with two further birdies and an eagle to end up with an even-par 70.
Nathan Green, another 'local', could not continue the form he used to qualify for the British Open earlier this week, carding a disappointing five-over 75.
Rod Pampling (70), Greg Chalmers (73), Steve Elkington (73) and Steven Bowditch (75) also failed to use local knowledge to their advantage.
Australians without ties to the area also failed to light up the course, including Marc Leishman (70), Michael Sim (71), Cameron Percy (71) and Aron Price (77).
- AAP
Tags: sport, golf, united-statesThe game of professional golf has transformed over the years. Many spectators, journalists, and pros themselves state that golf is now a game of power. Driving distance is integral to winning on Tour, club manufacturers gear much of their advertising around the "power game", and it is a wish of most every amateur.
Improved distance off the tee or with any club on the course requires increased clubhead speed. Clubhead speed is a product of power in your golf swing. Increasing the power in your golf swing will improve your clubhead speed. Equaling more distance on every shot you desire.
The question to ask is how do you increase the power in your golf swing? Three components exist directly affecting the power in your golf swing:
1) Efficiency of Your Golf Swing Mechanics
2) Power Generating Capacities of Your Body
3) Equipment
Review of the list indicates three integral components exist that directly affecting your clubhead speed. First and foremost are your golf swing mechanics. Golf swing mechanics can either be efficient or inefficient.
Efficient golf swing mechanics allow for you to input the greatest amount of power developed within your golf swing into the club and golf ball.
Inefficient golf swing mechanics result in the exact opposite. Inefficient swing mechanics create what is described as "energy leaks" within your golf swing. "Energy leaks" cause less power to be translated to the club and golf ball. This is because large amounts of energy are lost during the mechanics of the swing.
Again, to improve your clubhead speed and the power outputs within your golf swing. It is necessary to develop efficient golf swing mechanics.
Secondly, equipment does play a role in your clubhead speed. The technological advances in both club and golf balls have an effect. The key to increasing your power outputs in relation to equipment is to get the correct club and ball for your swing.
Matching up your swing and swing speed with the correct equipment will allow you to get the most clubhead speed out of your swing. For example, if your average swing speed is 95 and you are using extra stiff shafts. This could easily result in a loss of clubhead speed in your swing.
It is strongly recommended you get fitted for your equipment. Getting fitted matches up the correct equipment with your swing. Allowing you to get the most "bang for your buck" in terms of your golf swing.
Finally, we come to the topic of this article and that is your body. Your body has a direct affect on clubhead speed. It is your body swinging the club, and generating power within the mechanics of the golf swing.
That being said, developing power within your golf swing is directly related to the ability of your body to generate power. Often times this is the forgotten component by many amateurs in relation to developing power.
In order to increase the power outputs in your golf swing it is necessary to implement golf fitness exercises into your training program.
Golf fitness exercises increase the ability of your body to generate power within the golf swing. Resulting in increased clubhead speed.
What is the best golf fitness exercise to increase power in your golf swing?
Before answering that question we must look at the mechanics of the golf swing. The golf swing is both a linear and rotational movement.
Composed of finite biomechanical movements performed in a specific order. In addition to performing the biomechanics of the golf swing in a specific order, timing each movement is also required.
In order to perform the mechanics of the golf swing correctly it is necessary for the body to have certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power built within the body.
If one does not have these physical parameters developed within the body to a certain level. The ability to perform the mechanics of the golf swing efficiently, and generate power will be compromised.
The answer to the question of the best exercise for improving the power in your golf swing is not one specific exercise.
Improving power in your golf swing requires a "basket or exercises" including flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power training.
A combination of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power exercises are the key to enhancing the power in your golf game.
To summarize, improving the power in your golf swing consist of;
1) Efficient golf swing mechanics, 2) Proper equipment, 3) Golf fitness training.
The combination of these three components result in increased clubhead speed in your golf swing.
Not one single golf fitness exercise can improve the power outputs in your golf swing. It is rather a combination of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power training exercises that enhance clubhead speed.
Implement a comprehensive a golf fitness program into your schedule will undoubtedly increase your clubhead speed, driving distance, and overall performance on and off the course.
About the Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com
It seems as though many golfers are unaware of the importance the hands play in the execution of the golf swing. Obviously, we know that the hands grip the golf club and attach the body to the club. But what is the importance of them during the swing?
The answer has to do with releasing of the club. Let's go back and do a quick golf biomechanics review. During the swing, from address position to follow-through, the hands are active in a passive type of manner.
Let me explain. The goal of the golf swing is to move the club on the correct swing plane to induce the intended golf shot that you want. This occurs through the body's moving through a series of positions. These positions are found within the different phases of the golf swing.
The phases of the swing are address, take-away, backswing, transition, downswing, impact, and follow-through. During all of these movements the body is performing, the golf club is being moved upon a swing plane. The swing plane is the path upon which the golf club is to travel. Proper impact with the golf ball requires the golf club's traveling upon the correct swing plane.
In order for the club to travel on the correct swing plane it is necessary for the clubface to open and close. Oftentimes, in golf terms the opening and closing, of the clubface is termed "releasing of the club." This is where the hands become an integral part of the golf swing.
If you talk to almost any instructor, they will say that any good player has "great hands." This statement refers to exactly what was described above (the releasing of the club correctly). It's obvious if you look at players such as Tiger, Phil, or Vijay.
I even remember walking the course at Doral in Miami with top-5 teaching instructor, Rick Smith. One point he continued to return to in terms of discussing the golf swing was "hands." He stated more than once how any PGA Tour player has great hands. This just provides additional support for how important the hands are in terms of the golf swing.
But what does this all mean? Well, we know the hands are involved in the "opening and closing" of the clubface during your swing. This movement allows for the proper release of the club. As I mentioned, the hands are "active in your golf swing, but in a passive manner."
Again, to open and close the clubface during the golf swing the hands move back during the backswing, hinge at the top of the backswing, return the club to square at impact, and release the club afterwards. In order for this to occur the hands must be passive!
What do I mean by passive?
You cannot force the hands to move through the golf swing and release the club. This creates tension in the golf swing, affects tempo, and, overall, results in poor shots. If you do not believe me, go to the driving range, grip a club as hard as you can, and attempt to swing. The results will be much less than optimal.
I think Dean Reinmuth, ranked by Golf Digest as a top-30 teaching pro, puts it best when speaking about the hands in the golf swing. He discusses "feel" as an integral part of the golf swing. He states that in order to have a successful golf swing you must be "tension free."
"Feeling" the club move on the swing plane is an indicator of being "tension free." And in order to have this feeling, your hands must be relaxed (i.e. passive).
How do you develop good hands in your golf swing?
Easier said than done. In order to develop "feel" in the golf swing, remove "tension" from your golf swing and develop great hands, you must develop three fundamentals.
Fundamental number one is an understanding of the golf swing. In order to know what the body and golf club are to do during the swing you must know the biomechanics of the golf swing. If you don't, how are you going to know what the body and club are to be doing during each phase of the golf swing?
Secondly, you must develop the mechanics of the golf swing. Your body and mind must integrate the movements of the golf swing into a repeatable movement. This occurs through proper instruction and practice of the correct golf swing mechanics.
Finally, it is necessary to develop the body. Yes, the body! Your body must have the flexibility, strength, endurance, and power to perform the golf swing correctly. If the body is inflexible, weak, and powerless, how are you going to be able to perform the mechanics of the swing correctly?
The obvious answer is: you are not! Developing great hands in your golf swing comes down to developing a "basket" of fundamentals within your golf swing. Understand the biomechanics of the golf swing, develop the proper mechanics within your golf swing, and develop a body to support your swing. These are the keys to developing great hands in your golf game.
About the Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com
Golfer Tiger Woods is confident of overcoming a knee injury in time for the US Open tournament.
Tags: golf, united-states![Jack Nicklaus: Golf My Way: The Full Swing [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51J27HR5EEL.jpg)
Stretch, strengthen and improve your golf game. These workouts will help strengthen core muscles and condition your entire body to help you drive the ball farther. Titles include: Pilates on the Green, Levels 1 & 2.Price: $9.98
This is a gem of a golf book that shows golfers how to go from frustration to exhileration and lower their scores! Not a typical how to book on the golf swing but proven techniques for improving the mental game and enjoying golf on a new level.
Woods said he doubted he would play the Memorial next week in Dublin, Ohio, a tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus and used by many of the game's elite as a tune-up for the US Open.
But he said he expects to be "ready to go" for the second major of the season when Congressional hosts the US Open June 16-19.
"As far as being ready for Congressional, I'm trying to do everything I can," Woods said at Aronimink Golf Club.
"All my docs have said it should be ready to go by then, should be good to go."
Woods said he has pain in his left knee, left Achilles tendon, tightening in his calf and a sore lower back.
He hopes proper treatment and rehabilitation can solve the problems and that doctors have not mentioned leg surgery.
"I've had four surgeries on it," Woods said of his left leg.
"Obviously, it's not what it was when I was little.
"I'm sure down the road it may be more difficult, but hopefully I'll be in a cart by then on the Senior Tour.
"But between now and then, I should be pretty good."
Woods said he will start training by the end of next week and when he begins to hit balls will depend on how his leg responds.
That schedule virtually rules out the Memorial, which means Woods would have little competition under his belt when arrives at the US Open.
He has shown before that he can contend - and win - under those circumstances.
In 2008, he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after the Masters and did not play again until the US Open.
Doctors discovered a double stress fracture in his left tibia prior to the major but Woods played anyway and won at Torrey Pines in a 19-hole play-off.
He says his left leg is nowhere near that bad now.
"I'm a lot better off," Woods said.
"I feel that in the next week or so, I can start getting back toward that and start practicing pain free. That's where I'm at."
Rankings slide
However, his game appears to be nowhere near as good as it was in 2008.
In the 11 tournaments Woods played before that US Open, he won eight times, was runner-up twice and did not finish out of the top five.
Now Woods is in the midst of a victory drought stretching back to the 2009 Australian Masters, a victory quickly followed by a downward spiral into scandal and divorce.
Since limping out of The Players Championship after only nine holes earlier this month he has fallen out of the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time in 14 years.
In the rankings released this week, Woods fell from eighth to 12th, the first time he has been outside the world top 10 since the week before his stunning win in the 1997 Masters.
"I haven't played. It's one of the reasons I've fallen as far as I have," Woods said.
"When I did play, I haven't played well. Winning takes care of all of that."
Woods has said his latest injuries were suffered in the third round of last month's Masters.
He said that he came back too soon for The Players Championship, so he will be extra careful heading into the US Open, where he will have another chance to add to his 14 major titles and pick up his stalled pursuit of Nicklaus' record of 18.
"Certainly it's one of the things that drives me in this game," Woods said.
"That 18 is our benchmark in our sport. No one's played the major championships better than Jack has. I think I have had a pretty good run of 14 in 15 years.
"I mean, it took Jack over what, 24 years, 23 years to do what he did. It takes time. I still have plenty of time."
Prior to his press conference, Woods posted on Twitter that he would donate $1 million to his charitable foundation if no reporters asked him about his leg.
After his dramatic departure from The Players there was no chance of that, and indeed his health was the topic of the first question he faced.
Woods later tweeted on the microblogging website that he would donate the money anyway.
- AFP
Tags: sport, golf, united-states First posted May 25, 2011 08:15:00
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We have all heard the word tempo in relation to the golf swing. Announcers on television speak of the "great" tempo Ernie Els has in his golf swing. What does tempo mean to the amateur and their golf swing?
Tempo in the Golf Swing
Tempo in the golf swing is a combination of many parts. Tempo is part timing in all aspects of the golf swing. It is part sequencing of each position within the golf swing, and it is part "feel". Putting all these golf swing parts together creates tempo in your own golf swing.
Interconnecting each phase of the golf swing; address, take-away, backswing, transition, downswing, impact, and follow through is one part of tempo, Performing each of these phases with the correct timing is also tempo. And finally "feel" for the clubhead is part of tempo.
We can probably say tempo is the end goal of all our practice and time spent on our golf swing. Once we have developed tempo in the golf swing, there is definitely a level of mastery within it.
How Do We Develop Tempo in the Golf Swing?
A great question that does not have a simple answer: Developing tempo in the golf swing is a task that requires patience, practice, and time. There really are no short cuts to developing it within your golf swing. One practice session at the driving range will not do it. The use of a single training aide will not get you there. The implementation of a golf fitness program will not achieve this task on its own.
I say this because developing a PGA Tour type golf swing requires a "basket of tools" in your arsenal. Developing tempo and a silky smooth golf swing requires you to:
* Receive proper instruction on the fundamentals of the golf swing
* Maintain a consistent practice schedule with your golf swing
* Use swing drills to develop every as of your golf swing
* The possible implementation of training aides into your practice sessions
* Implementing of golf fitness program to develop your body around the golf swing.
The "basket of tools" listed above put together can lead you to developing great tempo in your golf swing. It requires a comprehensive approach in which no short cuts can be made. Let's take a look at the bullet points above to get a better understanding of how to go about this process.
Proper Instruction in the Mechanics of the Golf Swing
Learning the fundamentals of the golf swing is key to developing tempo. This can be achieved through quality instruction. This will allow your body to learn the nuances of the swing. This is the first step in developing tempo.
Consistent Practice of the Golf Swing
As they say practice makes perfect. In order for your body to learn and be able to repeat to proper mechanics of the golf swing, you must practice on a consistent basis. The body learns biomechanical movements through repetition. The golf swing is no different. Repetition through proper practice session is the second key to developing tempo.
Swing Drills to Develop the Golf Swing
The golf swing as a whole is one of the most intricate athletic movements to perform. In its entirety, it is a very difficult movement to perform and master. It is best when learning the golf swing to break it down into parts. Breaking the golf swing down into segments allows you more easily to master each phase of the swing. This is accomplished through the implementation of golf swing drills. Swing drills break the swing down into manageable parts.
Training Aides in Association with Your Golf Swing Drills
Training aides assist the body in developing the golf swing. Think of training aides as "training wheels" on a bicycle. They simply help your body learn certain movements and positions associated with the golf swing.
Implementing a Golf Fitness Program
Your body swings the golf club and performs the biomechanics of the golf swing. In order to perform the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. It is necessary for your body to have certain levels of flexibility, balance, endurance, strength, and power. If your body is lacking any of this aforementioned list learning the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly will be very difficult. A golf fitness program is the final key to developing tempo in your golf swing.
Summary
To summarize the development of tempo in your golf swing requires a "basket of tools". Tempo requires; proper instruction on the golf swing, consistent practice of your golf swing mechanics, the utilization of swing drills, training aides, and a golf fitness program. Put all of these aspects together and a golf swing with tempo will be yours.
About the Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com
In 1963 "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf" presented a match for all ages: 50 year old Sam Snead, a winner of 81 of his record 82 PGA TOUR victories, went head-to-head against the 23 year old phenomenon Jack Nicklaus. Preserved in the PGA TOUR archives for 45 years, this match has been digitally re-mastered to enhance the beauty of Pebble Beach. Each player displayed the skills and competitiveness that made them great champions. At the conclusion of the match, enjoy a series of bonus features, including biographical sketches of both Snead and Nicklaus from a 2009 CBS Sports special. Listen to Nicklaus as he candidly recalls his personal memories of the epic contest 45 years later, making it seem as if it were only yesterday.Price: $19.95
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With all the talk about the players on tour getting stronger and more flexible, we hear a lot about exercising for golf from television commentators and read about it in the golf publications. But what exactly are the best exercises for the amateur golfer?
A great question that has a good answer, but before we give you the answer let us provide some background so the answer makes a little more sense to you. First of all, discussing the golf swing for the time being will get us rolling.
What exactly is the golf swing? The golf swing is an athletic movement that requires using of the entire body from "feet to fingertips" in order to complete the swing. Realize that the golf swing is not about the club, not just about your grip, or where your head is during the swing. The golf swing is a movement that requires your entire body to move through a sequence of movements with the correct timing. To perform the "athletic movement" of the golf swing requires the body to begin at address, move through the actual phases of the golf swing and complete it with the follow through. In order to perform this activity with efficiency and repetitively, the body must have certain physical parameters.
These parameters, as I call them, are actual physical categories of the body that need to be developed to a certain level. These categories of the body are the platform from which the body is able to perform the athletic movement of a golf swing efficiently. The categories are probably familiar to many of you, but for the purpose of this article let us briefly run through them.
The body is required to have certain levels of flexibility, balance, endurance, strength, and power to complete a golf swing. If the body lacks in any of the above categories, then the results will be seen in the golf swing. The results are usually in the form of poor mechanics, bad shots, or poor scores on the course. So, now that we know what the connection is between the "body" and the "swing" let us address the question about the best exercises for golf.
The Best Exercises for Golf
Let's say you walk into your local health club and see all the fancy machines and aerobic machines at the facility to get you shape. What ones would choose? Would you choose running on the treadmill for 30 minutes, or would it be better to push out a couple sets of bench presses? Well, the answer to our question really lies within the connection between your swing and your body.
I will tell you that exercises meant to "pump you up!" or give you that "six pack" are not necessarily the correct exercises for your golf game. Neither is that weight training program you used back in high school. So, with those thoughts in mind what do you think the best exercises for golf are?
Right now we know, in general terms about the golf swing, what is required of the body for the golf swing and what exercises are not good for the swing. Armed with that knowledge we can decipher what the best exercises for golf are for you.
Beginning with flexibility, we know that the entire body must move through certain ranges of motion to perform an effective golf swing. And what happens if your body is not able to move through the required ranges of motion of the golf swing? The answer: the golf swing will mechanically suffer resulting in shots that are less than optimal. So part of the exercises that are good for golfers are flexibility exercises and, even more so, flexibility exercises that work the muscles used in the golf swing through the movements involved in the golf swing. So first and foremost flexibility exercises should be on the top of your list.
The second category of exercises that would be conducive to the golf swing would have to do with balance. We hear about balance in reference to the golf swing all the time. "Stay balanced through the swing; transfer your weight to maintain balance during the swing..." But what does balance exactly mean? Balance is the ability to control your body through a specific movement pattern. The movement pattern we are discussing just happens to be the golf swing. We know the importance of balance in relation to the golf swing, so how do we train our body for better balance in the golf swing? Before we answer that question we need to know a little more about balance. Balance in relation to the body has to do with the connection between your nerves and muscles. Essentially your nervous system, as a result of messages sent from your brain, tells your muscles how to move to maintain the body's balance. The more efficient your nerves and muscles are to these messages the greater balance abilities the body develops. So balance exercises train both the nervous system and muscular system to become more efficient at this function. Summing it all up, balance is the second category of exercises that will assist your golf game.
The third category of exercises that are beneficial to golf have to do with your muscles. The golf swing requires the muscles of your body to move through a specific range of motion (flexibility) and help with your balance capacities. In order to perform these actions and others, your body needs certain levels of strength and endurance. The definition of strength is the ability of the muscles to exert force for the given "athletic action" (simplified definition but a good working definition for us). Endurance is the ability of your muscles to do the same activity over and over again for a specific amount of time.
First off, let us discuss strength. The golf swing has one intention of developing club head speed while maintaining balance through the swing. The muscles in your body must have enough strength in them to do both. Now, when we discuss building strength for the golf swing it is NOT the type of strength needed to bench press 250 lbs. Or squat 500! It is strength geared towards the improvement of your swing. I refer to this type of strength as "golf strength." So when you get to the gym, performing strength exercises like bench press will not help your swing. Exercises that train the body in the positions and through the movements of the golf swing will help your swing.
In addition to strength, we need to develop endurance in your muscles. Think of how many swings you may take over the course of 18 holes. In order for you to be able to swing the club the same way on the 18th hole as you did on the 1st hole. Your body has to have high levels of endurance. This will allow your body to perform the golf swing without getting tired. You develop endurance similar to how you develop "golf strength." Utilize exercises that train the body in the positions and through the movements of the golf swing. Lighter loads with higher repetitions will be used for these exercises. The end result will be the development of "golf endurance."
The final segment of exercises beneficial to your golf swing is power training. Power training is geared towards the ability of your body to generate high levels of club head speed. Power development by the body is what allows for greater distance on your shots. Clubs help, golf balls help, but it really comes down to the piece of machinery, your body, swinging those club and hitting those golf balls. Development of power for the golf swing is very similar to the development of "golf strength and endurance." It is the utilization of exercises that place your body in the positions and move you through movements similar to the golf swing.
Summary
So there you have it, the answer to the types of exercises best for the improvement of your golf swing. I think you now realize it is not one exercise, but a group of exercises that incorporate flexibility, balance, endurance, strength, and power. A combination of these exercises is what will enhance your golf swing.
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness progams go to http://www.seancochran.com
An out-of-work golf pro gets pulled into teaching the game to the "Bad News Bears" equivalent of young golfers at a public course.System Requirements:Running Time 92 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: PG UPC: 031398186182 Manufacturer No: 19034Price: $9.98
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For thousands of players, their first session with Manuel de la Torre marked the day their game got simpler and they began playing better. Immediately, you'll be relieved to know that the long list of things-to-do for golf shots gets more manageable because it gets shorter. As the list gets shorter, it is easier to understand, apply, and perfect the essentials that will improve your game. Your session with Manuel de la Torre begins in Volume 1 with a conversation that takes you to a new perspective in which golf makes the kind of sense you always knew it should. Then one-at-a-time, he walks you through the fundamentals of an effective swing. The clarity and simplicity, with which only he can do this will make it obvious why players from all over the country come to work with him.
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Volume 2- 74:03
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In a scrappy encounter, Poulter sealed a 2 and 1 victory to become the first player to win both world match play titles on either side of the Atlantic.
Poulter, who also beat world number one Lee Westwood en route to the final, said: "To beat Lee and Luke was huge. I holed the putts at the right time in both matches."
The Englishman added this trophy to his 2010 triumph in the Accenture World Golf Championship with three decisive holes on the back nine.
Both players had nudged a hole in front at various stages but a stunning 45-foot birdie putt by Poulter on the 12th brought him back level.
Donald had gone ahead after Poulter left his ball in bushes on the long eighth and had to concede the hole, slipping awkwardly while trying to extricate himself from the undergrowth.
Poulter then went one-up with an approach to three feet on the 14th.
Poulter's killer shot, though, came at the 16th when he fired in to just 18 inches to go two-up before closing the match out with a par on 17.
He said his victory was partly inspired by his lucky ball-marker and a determination to win on his son Luke's seventh birthday.
Poulter lost his marker when he slipped on the eighth and was relieved to get it back thanks to an eagle-eyed official.
"I panicked when the marker wasn't in my pocket on the ninth," he told reporters, "but luckily enough a referee found it. It has my kids names on it so it's very precious and it really does bring me luck.
"I spoke to my little boy Luke today and he said 'I want the trophy for my birthday', so I tried to win it for him."
Putting woes
Donald was also trying for the Accenture-World Match Play double, his in the same year after he won the former at Tucson in late February, as well as leapfrogging Westwood to be world number one for the first time.
The world number two blamed putting frailties in the final for his loss.
"Usually I can do it in my sleep but I struggled on the greens," he said.
"I wasn't too concerned with the (world) rankings, those kind of take care of themselves, but I'll keep knocking on the door."
Donald had ended world number three Martin Kaymer's hopes of overtaking Westwood by beating the German 5 and 3 in the morning semi-finals.
Kaymer conceded that he was given little chance by Donald to avenge a final defeat at Tucson.
"It felt that Luke was impossible to beat, he never opened the door," he said.
Poulter defeated Belgian outsider Nicolas Colsaerts in the other semi-final.
- Reuters
Tags: sport, golf, united-statesIf you love to play golf as much as most golf enthusiasts, you would probably play more if the great game of golf and most golf equipment wasn't so grossly expensive. An 18-hole round of golf at even a moderately expensive golf course averages about $36.00. A decent box of 12 golf balls costs roughly $19.00, and golf clubs are hundreds. Although it's impossible to get it all for free, there are ways to get free rounds of golf and huge discounts on golf equipment. Here are some guidelines to help you play more rounds of golf for free, get some free golf equipment and get huge discounts on other golf stuff:
Free or reduced rounds of golf:
Play golf writer for a day. Since anyone can contribute articles on the Internet, call the golf resort or club where you'd like to play and ask for the club pro. Tell him that you write reviews of golf courses for an Internet site (you can create the site yourself, or put them her for ezines). Tell the golf pro that you would like to play his course, write an article on it, and you were hoping he could set you up with a complimentary time. Perhaps he could even play along with you. Once you've done this, you'll most likely be able to play there time and time again for free or for a reduced rate.
Get a free club, even a $400 driver:
This is no great secret, but few people know about it. Best of all, it's very easy to do. Go to a search engine like Google. Type in review or test golf clubs. Many golf equipment review pages will come up. Research a few of them and learn what it takes to be one of their consultants. Many just require a complete written review of the golf club in a particular amount of time, and you get to keep the club. Some people do this and never purchase a golf club or a golf ball.
Get free or discounted golf balls, golf gloves and other golf stuff.
This is another one that has been around for awhile, but not every golfer knows about. Many major retailers have golf membership clubs with small yearly fees that offer amazing freebies and discounts on golf balls, golf gloves and other golf equipment. Sometimes, the membership comes with a free sleeve of very nice golf balls. So, the membership might cost you $15.00, and you'll get a sleeve of balls worth $9.00. Most future purchases include a 10 to 25 percent discount, and usually once each month, you'll receive correspondence about a special, buy-one-get-one-free deal on balls or gloves.
Get a beautiful free golf hat and golf bag tag today.
Another great place to go for discounts and freebies is the USGA. Their one-year membership fee is $15.00. With it comes a free golf hat, with the name of one of golf's majors stenciled on it and a name tag for your bag that says USGA. Throughout the year, your membership will afford you many discounts on golf rounds and equipment, along with neat golf publications from the USGA. No true golf enthusiast should be without this membership.
These are just a few of the numerous ways golfers can save literally thousands of dollars each year on golf and golf equipment. Give them a try today.
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Pettersen had a 1-up lead and Kerr faced a 10-foot birdie attempt when the Norwegian drained a 15-footer for birdie at the final hole of the championship match to seal the triumph.
Pettersen raised her arms then dropped to her knees in relief and exhaustion after six demanding rounds that included four in the past two days.
The world number three quickly rose and offered fans a thumbs-up sign.
"I dug deep for this one," said Pettersen, who likened the six rounds of matches to a return to qualifying school. What made it harder, she noted, was that her matches came against her friends on the tour in a match play format that's somehow more personal than stroke play.
"This is special," she said.
The 30-year-old Norwegian never trailed in the match as she won her first title since capturing the Canadian Women's Open in September of 2009.
Pettersen had six runner-up finishes last year.
Kerr missed some chances to at least pressure Pettersen. She missed four putts from inside 10 feet, all to win holes.
She did make a three-footer to save par and extend the match at 16, and made a 10-footer for birdie at 17 to trim Pettersen's lead.
Earlier Sunday, Pettersen defeated top-seeded Korean Na Yeon Choi 4 and 2 in the semi-finals.
Kerr defeated fellow American Angela Stanford 1-up in the semi-finals.
In the consolation match, Choi defeated Stanford 4 and 3.
-AFP
Tags: sport, golf, norway, united-states First posted May 23, 2011 11:53:00Planning a golf vacation? Don't forget to protect your golf clubs by choosing the right golf travel bag. How do you choose the golf travel bag that is right for you? Let's take a quick look at three different styles to help you make the right choice.
Remember, choosing the right golf travel bag isn't only about the bag itself. Golfers planning a golf vacation or just looking for protection on short golf trips should ask themselves a few questions before making a purchase.
What is your budget for a golf travel bag?
Do you travel frequently with your golf clubs?
Do your golf trips mostly include air travel or auto travel?
With these questions in mind, let's take a quick look at the different styles of golf travel bags and the benefits and negatives each offers.
Hybrid Travel Bags
These types of golf travel bags are essentially a golf bag with a hard top to protect your clubs. Unlike other styles, hybrids do not protect your day-to-day golf bag.
Hybrids will help golf travelers with space restrictions. They require less space than other models and also weigh less.
However, hybrid golf travel bags are not your golf bag. Therefore you must unpack and pack all of your golf gear each time you travel. These types of bags are also not the best choice for airline travel.
For golfers who travel more often by automobile and have an extra set of golf clubs, hybrid golf travel bags are a good choice.
Golfers can pick up a hybrid golf travel bag for as little as $60 with top of the line bags going for around $230.
Soft Golf Travel Bags
Think of this style of travel bags as a soft, padded, glove that covers your day-to-day golf bag and clubs. Usually, these bags come with a rigid bottom and wheels to help golfers carry them from location to location.
If you love to carry a lot of golf gear on your travels, then soft-style cases might be the right choice for you. You can travel with your day-to-day bag and stuff it with your other gear and golf accessories. These travel bags also breaks down easily and take up less storage space than hard case bags.
Some of the negatives associated with soft-style golf travel bags are mobility and protection. Soft bags usually do not roll as easily as hard cases. Also, these bags do not offer the same protection as hard cases. Your club heads are especially vulnerable in a soft-style bag.
If you choose a soft-style golf travel bag, I highly recommend that you pick up a Stiff Arm accessory. This will protect your club heads in the event of a direct impact to the top of your bag.
The best soft-style bags can cost anywhere from $120 - $300.
Hard Case Golf Travel Bags
This style of travel bag encompasses your bag and club. They provide the highest amount of protection but do not have space for the golf "pack rat".
Hard cases are a great choice for the golfer who travels by air to most golf vacation spots. This style provides the most protection and highest security for your golf clubs. Unlike other styles of golf travel bags, airlines will often cover any damage incurred when your clubs are in a hard case travel bag.
Hard cases take up more room than other styles when it comes to storage. They also do not hold all of your golf gear. For the golfer who plans more trips by automobile, hard cases might not make as much sense as hybrids or soft-covers.
Hard case golf travel bags average $130 with top of the line cases costing around $300.
Now that you have a little more insight into golf travel bags, you will be able to choose the right bag for your golf travel and golf vacations. Remember to think about the type and frequency of your golf travel, how much protection you need for your golf clubs, and what type of budget you have for a golf travel bag.
Choose wisely. Protect your investment. And, most of all, enjoy your golf vacation!
Copyright 2005 Evans Putman http://www.PerfectGolfVacations.com - All Rights Reserved. Reprints allowed see below.
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First Junior Golf ebook dedicated to golf enthusiastic parents and individuals involved in Junior Golf.
Appleby, who turned 40 earlier this month, looked a great chance to claim his 10th US PGA Tour title at the Colonial Invitational in Forth Worth, Texas.
Four birdies on the front nine helped take the Australian within one stroke of the leaders - eventual winner David Toms and runner-up Charlie Wi.
But his challenge disintegrated spectacularly over the final seven holes at historic Colonial Country Club - "Hogan's Alley".
He went bogey, bogey, triple-bogey, par, bogey, bogey, bogey.
The 8-over-par back nine dumped him to a tie for 16th, 11 shots behind 44-year-old Toms who shot 67 to prevail by a shot from South Korean Wi (69).
"The course and the wind conditions certainly can add to the recipe of disasters," Appleby told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
"But you can just sum it up as one of those days.
"I probably haven't had a chalk-and-cheese nine holes like that in a long time."
While Appleby, who had missed the cut at his previous five events, still collected $A63,897, Toms earned $A1.05 million for his victory.
Toms triumphed a week after losing in a play-off with KJ Choi at the Players Championship and a day after blowing a seven-stroke halfway lead following back-to-back 62s.
The 2001 US PGA Championship winner finished at 15-under to claim his 13th tour victory - and the first in over five years.
"I'm not dreaming, am I? This is actually happening, right?" Toms asked.
"To win after this time frame and to come back after what happened last week certainly means more to me than any other victory."
Wi, seeking his first US PGA title, had a 45-foot birdie putt on 18 but left it a foot short and watched Toms two-putt for par from 22 feet for the victory.
John Senden finished the best of the Australians, tied eighth but nine shots off Toms with a 274 total after fading with a 73.
Rod Pampling (70) was a further shot back, before Appleby (74) who finished alongside Steve Bowditch (73) on 276.
-AAP
Tags: sport, golf, united-statesLuke Donald has lost the final of golf's World Match Play Championship in Spain to Ian Poulter.
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Tags: golf, spain
Ian Poulter of England celebrates winning the World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin on May 22, 2011 in Casares, Spain.
Tags: sport, golf, spainSteven Bowditch and John Senden are sharing second at seven strokes behind leader David Toms in the PGA tour event in Texas.
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Tags: golf, australia, united-statesTseng, fourth in seedings that were based upon last year's LPGA final money list, won six holes on birdies to eliminate Paraguay's Julieta Granada 5 and 3.
Choi ousted Canada's Alena Sharp 3 and 1, taking the 16th hole with a par and the 17th with a birdie to reach the final eight.
In later matches to decide semi-final berths, Tseng will face Norway's fifth-seeded Suzann Pettersen and Choi will play Sweden's Sophie Gustafson, the lowest remining seed in the field at 42nd.
A birdie on the par-five 18th gave Pettersen a 1-up triumph over American Stacy Lewis while Gustafson edged US ninth seed Michelle Wie 1 up.
Gustafson fell 1-down three times on the front nine but answered each time to pull level and took her first lead with an eagle at the par-five ninth.
Wie squared the match with a birdie to open the back nine but the Swede regained the edge when Wie took a bogey at the par-three 12th.
Both followed with four pars, bogeys at the par-four 17th and birdies at 18 to see Wie drop out one round earlier than she did in 2010.
Japanese sixth seed Ai Miyazato and US third seed Cristie Kerr booked an afternoon quarter-final matchup with solid third-round morning triumphs over South Korean rivals.
Miyazato ousted 11th seed Inbee Park 2 and 1 while Kerr dispatched Kyeong Bae 4 and 2.
American Angela Stanford, last year's Match-Play runner-up and this year's 18th seed, ousted South Korean Meena Lee 5 and 4. Stanford next faces 10th seed Paula Creamer, who eliminated American compatriot Brittany Lang 3 and 2.
- AFP
Tags: sport, golf, united-states First posted May 22, 2011 07:22:00Golf instruction book converts like crazy. From The Golf Nut, one of the most popular golf writers on the web. 75% commission provides $20.75 per sale.
If you've ever taken a golfing lesson that really didn't help you to hit longer and straighter golf shots then you should read this article because in it I will describe the one principle of the golf swing that is the difference that makes all the difference in improving your golf swing technique.
Of all the golf swing basics that you can learn there is only one that I can think of that would really help you to possess a more powerful and consistent golf swing. No more over the top swings, slices, fat shots and duffed shots, just solid golf shots with little to no curvature on the golf ball.
I know this probably reads like one of those outrageous adverts you read on different golfing websites but it is absolutely true: there are only a few simple golf swing technique principles that when understood and applied correctly will unlock your golf swing from its golfing purgatory.
This particular golf swing basic is the one that is unfortunately undervalued by most, and yet by learning to incorporate it into your golf swing technique you are going to improve your golf swing consistency and lower your golf scores and golf handicap.
I'm pretty sure that if you ask most amateur golfers what they would like to have more than anything else it would be a more consistent golf swing technique. In fact the majority of golfers who attend my golfing school want exactly this.
Every golf swing technique influences just two fundamental elements; distance and direction. When we think about the distance that is being produced by a golf swing technique we are describing a golf club head travelling very quickly from the top of the back swing through to its collision with the golf ball and the subsequent distance generated from the collision.
When we think about the direction that is being produced by a golf swing technique we are describing the amount of rotation the golf club face imparts to the golf ball which influences the amount of back spin and side spin that is generated after the collision and the subsequent direction it travels in relationship to your target.
Let me say it again; every golf swing you create influences the distance and direction of your golf shot, and what determines the quality of the ball flight is the collision with the golf ball.
The distance your golf ball travels is influenced by a force that originates from within you and is transmitted through the golf shaft into the club head and finally into the golf ball. In physics forces influence things like golf clubs to start and stop moving and to move golf clubs from one path to another.
The force that's created by your golf swing always has a direction, although not always the ideal direction for producing longer and straighter golf shots.
? When the golf club moves away from the ball into the backswing a force is influencing it.
? When the golf club gets to the top of the back swing and changes its direction a force influences it.
? When a golf club strikes the golf ball a force influences it.
You see, every time you swing your golf club a force (either a push or pull) is influencing the direction of your golf swing. Now I know that at some level you already realise this, but I'm not so sure that when you hit golf balls at the driving range in your attempt to improve your golf swing technique that you really understand how important the influence of force is on your golf swing.
There are two things we want to do with the force we generate in our golf swing technique.
1. We want to give it a direction in the backswing-down swing and follow through phases.
2. We want to deliver it at the correct time into impact
Study the simple action of a pendulum because I guarantee that this simple device will help you to understand how to unlock the full potential of your golf swing technique. If you've ever watched a pendulum you would know that a weighted object is suspended from a pivot point and the weighted object swings backwards and forwards.
As the weighted object swings backwards and forwards from the top of its backswing to the top of its finish position it moves in an arc and the radius of this arc remains constant throughout the to and fro motion.
Briefly stated the forces acting on a pendulum are balanced forces keeping the weighted object in a consistent path and trajectory and this is precisely what we want to achieve with our golf swing technique.
A balanced force in a golf swing is a force that moves your golf club just like a pendulum from the backswing position to its finish position with a smooth gradual acceleration and rhythm.
Now think of your left arm and wrist as being the lever of a pendulum and imagine it swinging backwards and forwards from the top of your back swing to the end of your finish position. This rhythmical motion of your left arm should be smooth and unhurried as it moves in an arc towards the golf ball.
You can actually feel the swinging motion of your left arm simply by folding your right arm behind your back and swinging your left arm back and through, and as you do this let your left hand roll or rotate as it passes through the bottom of the swing arc about where the golf ball would be positioned all the way to the finish of your stroke.
Now place a nine iron in your left hand and do the same thing. Swing it backwards and forwards with your right arm behind your back and let your wrist hinge and unhinge and then rotate or roll through the bottom of the arc naturally by not fighting the swing; just let it swing back and through without interference.
As you swing the nine iron backwards and forwards gently increase the length of the arc without adding additional effort and allow your body rotation to increase and remain in sync with the swinging motion of your left arm.
One important point to remember is to never change the path of your hands as you swing the golf club down through the bottom of the swing arc. Keep the path and trajectory of your left hand in or extremely close to the same path as the backswing. This is very important and the way to do this successfully is to let gravity and momentum have a primary influence on your left arm swing.
The second you apply additional force to your left arm as it travels down towards the bottom of the swing arc the faster it will shift your hands and golf club off their correct path which will definitely lead to poorly hit golf shots.
The left arm swing: the golf club technique that controls the hand path in the downswing and is very important to concept to understand, apply and master. Practice this simple technique until your feel the golf club swinging freely without interference.
When you can swing the golf club with a smooth hinging and unhinging motion with a full rotation at the bottom of the stroke you will be well on your way to improving your golf swing technique.
Remember that a pendulum travels from a backswing position to a finish position with a consistent rhythm or beat and so does a golf club. The very second you try to hit the golf ball you no longer have a golf swing, you have a golf hit.
Hitting requires more energy and is less effective than a swinging motion and is the single biggest reason why amateur golfers don't generate the level of consistency that pro's do.
So the big question you need to ask yourself right now is this; do you want to swing the golf club with confidence and hit golf shots just like a pro or would you rather hit inconsistent and frustrating golf shots just like...?
Lawrie Montague has been a PGA golf teaching professional for more than twenty years and has coached thousands of golfers from novice to tour player. You can visit his video golf instruction channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/golfconfidencepro to gain free access to more than thirty five of his unique golfing lessons covering every aspect of golf development.
I'm sure by now you've heard most of the professional players; both men and women actively participate in golf workouts. It's no secret. But why then do most amateur golfers ignore this? Is it because it seems like work? Or, does the thought of actually breaking a sweat get you tired already?
Vijay Singh Does Golf Workouts
Either way...the proof is in the bag. The number one player in the world, Vijay Singh, does his golf workouts all the way through Sunday of each tournament. Does it look like it's hurting his game? I don't think so. Back in 1997, a young, very athletic golfer came on the professional scene and blew everyone away. I think you know who I'm talking about.
Tiger Woods Golf Workout Routine
Tiger took golf to another level. A real eye-opener for the veteran players who were hitting the 19th hole after every round...and the last thought on their mind was "exercise". What a wake-up call to be totally dominated by a player who was only 20 years old at the time.
Annika Sorenstam Credits Her Golf Exercises
How about the year Annika Sorenstam shot a 59 and totally dominated the LPGA? Do you know what she attributes it to? Golf workouts! She hired a trainer and got serious about her fitness. And look what happened? She hasn't looked back since. She just recently came out with an instruction book and devoted a chapter to golf workouts.
To my recollection, that's the first women's instruction book to include golf workouts. Working out to playing better golf isn't just for the guys; Annika has proved that. Now more LPGA players are working out to try and catch her, just like the guys did with Tiger.
Senior Golfers Now Do Golf Fitness Programs
How about the senior tour? Now players are realizing they can still make good money, even after they've turned 50 and can't really compete with the young guys anymore. With the money at stake, they too are all working out. This group of players both amateur and pro is the biggest demographic that needs it the most.
With age comes a decline in both flexibility and strength. When the body declines, the swing goes right along with it. The result is a big loss in yardage, more mishits, and ballooning scores. The end result...frustration! I can't tell you how many times I've played with and received phone calls from older golfers who are just about ready to quit the game.
They are SO frustrated at this rapid decline, that golf's not fun anymore. But there is hope. The answer? Get your body moving just a little better. How? By participating in workouts for golf program that focuses on golf-specific strength AND flexibility. It's amazing to see golfers in this age bracket dramatically improve their driving distance, accuracy and scores.
You don't have to accept that with age, your body declines. No way! You've got to fight it all the way! I'm dead serious. The ones who do, are the ones who are enjoying the game again and taking all the money in their foursome.
What Is A Golf Workout
What is a golf workout anyways? Is there such a thing? You bet there is. The golf swing is an awkward movement that puts a tremendous amount of stress on the body. To prevent injury and improve swing speed and distance requires your body to be both strong and flexible specific to the swing.
I could spend dozens of pages describing what this entails, but for the sake of this concise article, let's keep it simple.
Golf Is Rotational
The golf swing is a rotational movement, with your body in golf posture. Slight flex of the knees and a bending forward at the hips. Since the golf swing is primarily rotational, wouldn't it make sense to focus on rotational strength and flexibility? That is improving your turning ability related to range of motion and speed.
So anything involving twisting with resistance such as a medicine ball, a dumbbell, or even a weighted club would work. You need to have a resistance to take your body beyond where it normally goes.
For instance, if you took a club and placed it behind your neck, got in your golf posture and rotated back and forth; do you think that by itself would improve your range of motion or power?
Use A Weighted Golf Club
No, you need to add resistance to accomplish this. Take a weighted club and make golf swings. Now you'll be making a bigger turn AND improving your power. Same thing with a medicine ball. Make turns back and through holding a 4 to 6 pound ball and you'll see a BIG improvement.
In fact, most of your abdominal work should be rotational. Doing straight crunches won't improve your driving distance. Doing rotational movements with added weight will. This is where I could go on and on, but I won't overload you.
Golf Workouts Will Transform Your Golf Swing
I hope I've convinced you to take a real serious look at what all the other successful professional players are doing to stay at the top of their game. Doing golf workouts can and will dramatically change your game forever. Now get out there and get it started. No procrastinating. Do it right now!
Do you want to discover the secret to creating more power and consistency in your golf swing... and eliminating ALL your swing faults?
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Mike Pedersen helps golfers' improve their golf swing power, consistency and golf swing faults by addressing the physical limitations in their golf swing.
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On a blustery day at Colonial Country Club, American Toms struggled with his putting on the way to an ugly 4-over-par 74 in his bid to end a PGA Tour title drought of five years.
Having opened with bogey-free 62s in his first two rounds here to spreadeagle the field, Toms dropped three shots in his first six holes before finishing at 12-under 198.
Playing partner Wi, who has yet to win on the US circuit, fired an ice-cool 66 that included five birdies and a lone bogey to hold the outright lead at 13-under.
John Senden (70) was alone in third at nine under, a stroke in front of fellow Australian Stuart Appleby (67) and Americans Paul Goydos (67) and Mark Wilson (71).
Toms, seven ahead of the chasing pack over night, made a promising start to the third round when he birdied the par-five first.
However his day began to unravel as he bogeyed the second, third and sixth to reach the turn at 14-under with his advantage cut to three.
Toms recorded his second birdie of the round at the par-five 11th where he knocked in an eight-footer, but worse was to follow when he three-putted from eight feet to double-bogey 14.
"The double at 14 was inexcusable," Toms told reporters.
"I was in a great spot to get up and down and came away with a six. That's just kind of the way the day went."
Wi, who had also birdied the 11th, trailed Toms by just one stroke at that point when play was suspended for 80 minutes due to the threat of lightning.
Any hope by Toms that he could regain positive momentum during the break proved unfounded after the player returned to the course.
At the par-three 16th, Wi rammed in a 32-foot birdie putt while Toms missed his par attempt there from 15 feet for a two-shot swing as the American finally surrendered the lead.
They each parred the last two holes for Wi to hold a one-stroke advantage going into Sunday's final round.
- Reuters
Tags: sport, golf, united-states75% commission with unique weight-loss program specific to golf. Reveals previously undisclosed information to a massive market.
Westwood was beaten by Ryder Cup team-mate Ian Poulter, who birdied the short 17th and held on to win by one hole.
Donald also struggled when taken to the 19th by Swedish outsider Johan Edfors but prevailed to give himself hope of being world number one for the first time.
Kaymer, looking to regain the top spot, eased through to the quarter-finals with a 3 and 2 success over Dane Soren Kjeldsen.
US Open champion Graeme McDowell won the battle of Ryder Cup partners by defeating fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy 3 and 2.
South African Charl Schwartzel, the US Masters champion, matched Englishman Ross Fisher's eagle at the last to close out the defending champion by one hole.
Spain's Alvaro Quiros, Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium and Italian Francesco Molinari also went through.
-Reuters
Tags: sport, golf, spain First posted May 22, 2011 00:21:00
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