Friday, 19 March 2010
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
How to Choose the Right Golf Ball For Your Golf Swing
Introduction
Golf balls are being made to compensate for your weaknesses making your bad tendencies and miss hits more forgiving as well as enhancing your strengths. Golf ball compression is a word or a term that applies to the density of your golf ball when the ball is struck. If the compression of a golf ball does not match a golfer's swing speed, either the lack of compression or over-compression will occur, resulting in loss of distance. So what is the right ball for your swing?
Ball
A golf ball is a ball designed to be used in the game of golf. Like golf clubs, golf balls are subject to testing and approval by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the United States Golf Association, and those that do not conform with regulations may not be used in competitions. The right golf ball should first conform to the rules of golf.
Distance
Let's assume you desire more distance, improved shot control, and lower scores. Compression may not affect distance as much as golfers think - due to changes in golf ball construction techniques over the years, but it does offer control and feel options to the golfer. Weaker players often think they get more distance with harder balls because they can get them in the air easily with short irons, but their lower spin rates may cause a loss of distance in the longer irons and woods where they need it most.
If distance is your only factor than the use of a Surlyn cover of the two piece design is probably the ball of choice. Most importantly, an average golfer will not need a 120 mile an hour swing to get greater ball compressions and distance. There is a right golf ball for you that will increase your distance, and reduce the ill effects of your bad shots (slices, hooks, etc.) But, how do we find it?
Golf Ball Construction
The construction of the ball design with the use of Surlyn two piece tend to make the ball have higher launch angles and low spin rates. This higher launch and low spin rate has a tendency to travel further distances for the average golfer.
Lower launch angles and more spin off the iron is produced with balls of a multi core or multi cover construction such as urethane or blended covers. This allows the average to pro golfer the advantage of higher spin rates and more feel when hitting the ball.
The Right Ball
The right ball is one that gives you a certain feel and distance. That feel can only be measured by hitting the ball and observing the flight or trajectory of the ball and how it reacts when it hits the green. Hitting the ball with each of your clubs to get the right feel is the only way to truly evaluate the performance of a ball. Try out the various compressions and construction to see what one fits your game.
I recommend buying just a sleeve (3 ball pack) of balls and seeing what compression and design is right for your swing. When doing a search for golf balls don't just go with the ones that are on sale but try them all. Why buy a golf ball when it doesn't do what you want it to do on the golf course? Price should be the last factor when choosing a golf ball.
Other Factors
Some other factors you may want to consider:
What is the green speed of the course you are playing?
How hard or firm is the grass or turf?
What are the temperature and wind conditions that you will play?
How high up is your altitude?
Conclusion
There are many types of golf balls on the market, and customers often face a difficult decision. The best golf ball for your game depends on several factors including your handicap, swing speed, and equipment specifications. There is a correct golf ball to help you accomplish this goal. The key is to try out many balls and find the one that works and keep buying that one regardless of price.
John Scigliano is a motivational trainer, retired US Navy Chief, and passionate golfer. Visit his inspirational blog at http://www.workonlinedad.com
For great golf tips visit http://www.golftipswing.com
You can find everything golf at this website
Golf balls are being made to compensate for your weaknesses making your bad tendencies and miss hits more forgiving as well as enhancing your strengths. Golf ball compression is a word or a term that applies to the density of your golf ball when the ball is struck. If the compression of a golf ball does not match a golfer's swing speed, either the lack of compression or over-compression will occur, resulting in loss of distance. So what is the right ball for your swing?
Ball
A golf ball is a ball designed to be used in the game of golf. Like golf clubs, golf balls are subject to testing and approval by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the United States Golf Association, and those that do not conform with regulations may not be used in competitions. The right golf ball should first conform to the rules of golf.
Distance
Let's assume you desire more distance, improved shot control, and lower scores. Compression may not affect distance as much as golfers think - due to changes in golf ball construction techniques over the years, but it does offer control and feel options to the golfer. Weaker players often think they get more distance with harder balls because they can get them in the air easily with short irons, but their lower spin rates may cause a loss of distance in the longer irons and woods where they need it most.
If distance is your only factor than the use of a Surlyn cover of the two piece design is probably the ball of choice. Most importantly, an average golfer will not need a 120 mile an hour swing to get greater ball compressions and distance. There is a right golf ball for you that will increase your distance, and reduce the ill effects of your bad shots (slices, hooks, etc.) But, how do we find it?
Golf Ball Construction
The construction of the ball design with the use of Surlyn two piece tend to make the ball have higher launch angles and low spin rates. This higher launch and low spin rate has a tendency to travel further distances for the average golfer.
Lower launch angles and more spin off the iron is produced with balls of a multi core or multi cover construction such as urethane or blended covers. This allows the average to pro golfer the advantage of higher spin rates and more feel when hitting the ball.
The Right Ball
The right ball is one that gives you a certain feel and distance. That feel can only be measured by hitting the ball and observing the flight or trajectory of the ball and how it reacts when it hits the green. Hitting the ball with each of your clubs to get the right feel is the only way to truly evaluate the performance of a ball. Try out the various compressions and construction to see what one fits your game.
I recommend buying just a sleeve (3 ball pack) of balls and seeing what compression and design is right for your swing. When doing a search for golf balls don't just go with the ones that are on sale but try them all. Why buy a golf ball when it doesn't do what you want it to do on the golf course? Price should be the last factor when choosing a golf ball.
Other Factors
Some other factors you may want to consider:
What is the green speed of the course you are playing?
How hard or firm is the grass or turf?
What are the temperature and wind conditions that you will play?
How high up is your altitude?
Conclusion
There are many types of golf balls on the market, and customers often face a difficult decision. The best golf ball for your game depends on several factors including your handicap, swing speed, and equipment specifications. There is a correct golf ball to help you accomplish this goal. The key is to try out many balls and find the one that works and keep buying that one regardless of price.
John Scigliano is a motivational trainer, retired US Navy Chief, and passionate golfer. Visit his inspirational blog at http://www.workonlinedad.com
For great golf tips visit http://www.golftipswing.com
You can find everything golf at this website
Golf Balls - The Expert Guide
Golf Balls - How a small, round, dimpled sphere has the power to alter your game. In today's game, golf balls have become high-tech super-spheres that claim to do everything but hit themselves! One popular golf ball claims 'long distance and super feel', another 'longer distance, more spin and control' and a third 'ultimate distance and control'. Confused? Might as well choose a golf ball based on the colour of the box!
But wait! Playing the right golf ball for your game WILL enhance your performance and overall enjoyment of the game. It's just a matter of cutting through the spin to find that ball.
To help you in your quest for the perfect golf ball, we'll take you on a journey from the humble beginnings of the golf ball through to today's technologically advanced balls.
The Early Days
In general, the larger the bag the heavier it will be - despite help from durable lightweight materials. Although the lightest designs now weigh in below 3lb, special lumbar and/or hip padding is available for comfort and can make a real difference
In the earliest days of golf, some 500 years ago, players used primitive equipment to play the game in a rather haphazard and casual manner. The golf ball has undergone many upgrades and enhancements throughout its long life, with several distinct stages:
Wooden - Used from the mid 15th century, the first golf balls were made from hardwoods such as beech. Often used in conjunction with wooden clubs, a round of golf would have been a particularly jarring experience.
Featherie - In 1618 the Featherie golf ball was invented and was used for nearly 250 years. These balls were made by stuffing wet goose feathers into a hand stitched wet leather ball. As it dried the leather shrunk and the feathers expanded creating a hard and compact ball. This time consuming process ensured the price was out of reach of the masses, often selling for more than the price of a club.
Guttie - Rev Dr Robert Adams Paterson created the first golf balls made from Gutta-percha in 1848. The ball was created from the dried sap of the tropical sapodilla tree, which was heated up and formed into ball shapes. The improved performance and cheaper costs of the Guttie contributed greatly to the expansion of the game.
Hand Hammered Guttie - It was also discovered that improperly smoothed balls often had a truer flight than the smoother versions, and the Hand Hammered Guttie Ball, with an even pattern hammered on by hand, was born. By 1890, golf balls were formed in iron moulds, and the Bramble design, with raised spherical bumps resembling a raspberry, became the most popular ball of the Guttie era.
Rubber - The advent of the rubber ball changed the face of golf as we know it. Invented by Coburn Haskell in 1898 it featured a solid rubber core wrapped in rubber thread. Early Gutta-percha covers soon gave way to the Balata cover that was introduced in the early 1900s. Although they looked like Gutties, the average golfer could gain an extra 20 yards off the tee. So the guttie gave way to the aerodynamically superior dimple pattern, first used in 1908 and still being used today.
Today's Golf Balls - Wonders of Multi-Layer Construction
In recent years, the wound golf ball has largely been replaced by multilayer balls, resulting in a bewildering selection of golf balls. To simplify, modern golf balls can be broken down into three main categories.
Two Piece. This is a tough, durable golf ball usually with a large, solid inner core and a hard Surlyn cover, generally designed to maximise distance through a high launch angle and low levels of spin
Our Recommendation. Two-piece golf balls are what every beginner should play. With less spin you are less likely to hook or slice the ball. At the same time you are likely to hit the ball further. The price of two-piece balls tends to be less, meaning that they won't take a large bite out of your budget when they end up in the lake or the rough!
Multi-Layer. Typically made of three or four layers in which the core is wrapped in one or two layers, the multi layer golf ball is usually preferred by Tour players for the extra control it offers.
Three-piece. These have a large synthetic core, a thin mantel and a cover. Sometimes, tungsten weights are used in the middle of the synthetic core for optimised weight centering.
Four-piece. These multi-layer golf balls have a smaller inner core, surrounded by an outer core, similar to the three-piece ball. This is then surrounded by a thin mantel and a cover. Multi-layer balls are generally more expensive, and suited to the more experienced golfer. They tend to have much better control and feel around the green, provide more spin, but don't travel as far and are less forgiving on hooks and slices.
Our Recommendation. Multi-layer golf balls are best for the better player who can appreciate the benefits of extra spin control over and above distance.
Wound. Much less common in today's game, wound golf balls have a central core that has been wrapped in rubber thread and then usually covered in Balata cover. These balls tend to be less durable and often will not hold up to the average player's round. They offer fantastic feel and have great spin, though, stopping faster on the green - but the trade-off is a lack in distance. Also, their performance is affected by the temperature, with their distance and overall performance deteriorating in temperatures below 20°C.
Very few people still use the wound balata ball, and it is likely to be replaced altogether by the multi-layer ball. However, some professionals still like the extraordinary feel and spin control required for finesse shots around the green.
Our Recommendation. This ball is only really suitable for the best of the very best golfers.
Play to your strengths
Today's golf balls use sophisticated construction techniques that have a direct impact on different aspects of the game, including driving distance, approach control, putting roll, balance and cost. You should select your ball according to which one suits the most important aspect of your game - what you need most help with. Here's our summary:
If you need distance (Ideal for mid to high handicappers)
Too much spin will make the ball fly too high, and too little will reduce carry. If you need distance and forgiveness go for a hard ball. The combined firmness of the cover and core allow the ball to travel longer distances and be very durable, but be aware it won't stop as well on the green.
If you need spin (Ideal for better players)
A spin ball is constructed with a cover that generates more spin when struck with a lofted club. This ball is better suited to play draw and fade shots around obstacles and will stop well on the green. However, it will also be easier to slice or hook shots.
If you are looking for ultimate control - distance and spin combined (Ideal for very serious players)
A control golf ball has the characteristics of a distance ball with the ability to stop quickly on the green, with allegedly less risk of hooking or slicing the golf ball than a pure spin ball.
Other considerations
Slow Swingers. For golfers with a slower swing speed, it is advisable to use a golf ball that is designed to maximise the driving distance for the slower club head speed.
Ideal for ladies, seniors and less powerful players
Putting Perfection. Different makes and models of golf ball will roll different distances on the putting green, with harder balls tending to roll further. Bear in mind more expensive balls are likely to roll truer as well, due to better balancing.
Play to your budget. It is better to play consistently with a golf ball you can afford rather than a premium ball that you cannot afford to practice with. Also playing with damaged balls will impact on your game, so it is better to play an affordable ball and replace it regularly.
And Finally - Golf Ball Myths
More dimples result in a higher trajectory. This is not true. The optimum number of dimples on a golf ball is between 350 and 450. It is the spinning action of the golf ball, along with the depth of the dimples that determines the trajectory.
Golf balls travel further when they are warm. Partly true, as colder temperatures will decrease a golf ball's velocity more than warm temperatures. However it is the air temperature that has more impact on the balls distance than the temperature of the ball.
Find the best ball for your game
For more information on golf balls go to Golf Balls
Golf Balls
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonty_Driver
But wait! Playing the right golf ball for your game WILL enhance your performance and overall enjoyment of the game. It's just a matter of cutting through the spin to find that ball.
To help you in your quest for the perfect golf ball, we'll take you on a journey from the humble beginnings of the golf ball through to today's technologically advanced balls.
The Early Days
In general, the larger the bag the heavier it will be - despite help from durable lightweight materials. Although the lightest designs now weigh in below 3lb, special lumbar and/or hip padding is available for comfort and can make a real difference
In the earliest days of golf, some 500 years ago, players used primitive equipment to play the game in a rather haphazard and casual manner. The golf ball has undergone many upgrades and enhancements throughout its long life, with several distinct stages:
Wooden - Used from the mid 15th century, the first golf balls were made from hardwoods such as beech. Often used in conjunction with wooden clubs, a round of golf would have been a particularly jarring experience.
Featherie - In 1618 the Featherie golf ball was invented and was used for nearly 250 years. These balls were made by stuffing wet goose feathers into a hand stitched wet leather ball. As it dried the leather shrunk and the feathers expanded creating a hard and compact ball. This time consuming process ensured the price was out of reach of the masses, often selling for more than the price of a club.
Guttie - Rev Dr Robert Adams Paterson created the first golf balls made from Gutta-percha in 1848. The ball was created from the dried sap of the tropical sapodilla tree, which was heated up and formed into ball shapes. The improved performance and cheaper costs of the Guttie contributed greatly to the expansion of the game.
Hand Hammered Guttie - It was also discovered that improperly smoothed balls often had a truer flight than the smoother versions, and the Hand Hammered Guttie Ball, with an even pattern hammered on by hand, was born. By 1890, golf balls were formed in iron moulds, and the Bramble design, with raised spherical bumps resembling a raspberry, became the most popular ball of the Guttie era.
Rubber - The advent of the rubber ball changed the face of golf as we know it. Invented by Coburn Haskell in 1898 it featured a solid rubber core wrapped in rubber thread. Early Gutta-percha covers soon gave way to the Balata cover that was introduced in the early 1900s. Although they looked like Gutties, the average golfer could gain an extra 20 yards off the tee. So the guttie gave way to the aerodynamically superior dimple pattern, first used in 1908 and still being used today.
Today's Golf Balls - Wonders of Multi-Layer Construction
In recent years, the wound golf ball has largely been replaced by multilayer balls, resulting in a bewildering selection of golf balls. To simplify, modern golf balls can be broken down into three main categories.
Two Piece. This is a tough, durable golf ball usually with a large, solid inner core and a hard Surlyn cover, generally designed to maximise distance through a high launch angle and low levels of spin
Our Recommendation. Two-piece golf balls are what every beginner should play. With less spin you are less likely to hook or slice the ball. At the same time you are likely to hit the ball further. The price of two-piece balls tends to be less, meaning that they won't take a large bite out of your budget when they end up in the lake or the rough!
Multi-Layer. Typically made of three or four layers in which the core is wrapped in one or two layers, the multi layer golf ball is usually preferred by Tour players for the extra control it offers.
Three-piece. These have a large synthetic core, a thin mantel and a cover. Sometimes, tungsten weights are used in the middle of the synthetic core for optimised weight centering.
Four-piece. These multi-layer golf balls have a smaller inner core, surrounded by an outer core, similar to the three-piece ball. This is then surrounded by a thin mantel and a cover. Multi-layer balls are generally more expensive, and suited to the more experienced golfer. They tend to have much better control and feel around the green, provide more spin, but don't travel as far and are less forgiving on hooks and slices.
Our Recommendation. Multi-layer golf balls are best for the better player who can appreciate the benefits of extra spin control over and above distance.
Wound. Much less common in today's game, wound golf balls have a central core that has been wrapped in rubber thread and then usually covered in Balata cover. These balls tend to be less durable and often will not hold up to the average player's round. They offer fantastic feel and have great spin, though, stopping faster on the green - but the trade-off is a lack in distance. Also, their performance is affected by the temperature, with their distance and overall performance deteriorating in temperatures below 20°C.
Very few people still use the wound balata ball, and it is likely to be replaced altogether by the multi-layer ball. However, some professionals still like the extraordinary feel and spin control required for finesse shots around the green.
Our Recommendation. This ball is only really suitable for the best of the very best golfers.
Play to your strengths
Today's golf balls use sophisticated construction techniques that have a direct impact on different aspects of the game, including driving distance, approach control, putting roll, balance and cost. You should select your ball according to which one suits the most important aspect of your game - what you need most help with. Here's our summary:
If you need distance (Ideal for mid to high handicappers)
Too much spin will make the ball fly too high, and too little will reduce carry. If you need distance and forgiveness go for a hard ball. The combined firmness of the cover and core allow the ball to travel longer distances and be very durable, but be aware it won't stop as well on the green.
If you need spin (Ideal for better players)
A spin ball is constructed with a cover that generates more spin when struck with a lofted club. This ball is better suited to play draw and fade shots around obstacles and will stop well on the green. However, it will also be easier to slice or hook shots.
If you are looking for ultimate control - distance and spin combined (Ideal for very serious players)
A control golf ball has the characteristics of a distance ball with the ability to stop quickly on the green, with allegedly less risk of hooking or slicing the golf ball than a pure spin ball.
Other considerations
Slow Swingers. For golfers with a slower swing speed, it is advisable to use a golf ball that is designed to maximise the driving distance for the slower club head speed.
Ideal for ladies, seniors and less powerful players
Putting Perfection. Different makes and models of golf ball will roll different distances on the putting green, with harder balls tending to roll further. Bear in mind more expensive balls are likely to roll truer as well, due to better balancing.
Play to your budget. It is better to play consistently with a golf ball you can afford rather than a premium ball that you cannot afford to practice with. Also playing with damaged balls will impact on your game, so it is better to play an affordable ball and replace it regularly.
And Finally - Golf Ball Myths
More dimples result in a higher trajectory. This is not true. The optimum number of dimples on a golf ball is between 350 and 450. It is the spinning action of the golf ball, along with the depth of the dimples that determines the trajectory.
Golf balls travel further when they are warm. Partly true, as colder temperatures will decrease a golf ball's velocity more than warm temperatures. However it is the air temperature that has more impact on the balls distance than the temperature of the ball.
Find the best ball for your game
For more information on golf balls go to Golf Balls
Golf Balls
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonty_Driver
Saturday, 6 March 2010
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Discover The Real Secret To Instant Golf Swing Power...
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Saturday, 27 February 2010
The Begining Of Golf
Golf Score
When you are playing the great game of golf, your golf scores become both your best friends as well as your worst enemies. Many players live by their golf scores and judge their progress according to what the score card says. While you might think that your golf scores are the best gauge of how you are coming along as a golfer, that isn't necessarily the case.
The way golf scores are tallied can mean so many things. Just because you shoot an 8 on a par 4 doesn't necessarily mean you are a bad golfer. It might mean that you had a bad drive and a mis-aimed chip - but it doesn't make you a bad golfer. So don't put too much stock into what the scorecard says. Judge your golf game by how you play rather than what your scores are.
Golf scores are only meant to help you keep track of the strokes you take to get from tee box to the hole. They don't ever take into consideration things like hazards, weather conditions, or anxiety. Sure, you can't keep track of how you are doing without paying attention to your golf scores, but you still need to keep in mind that there are a million variables that can make your score fluctuate.
Of course, if you're a golfer, you know all the terminology - birdie, eagle, bogey, double eagle (if you're really lucky) - but the real story in golf scores lies in how you played the course and navigated the hole. Instead of keeping track of scores, why don't you keep track of where you were for a particular shot and how that shot came out?
Let's say, you make a horrible drive on a par 4 and only end up 100 yards off the tee box. Let's hope it's past the women's tee - if you know what I mean! So now you are faced with a long fairway shot. You pick up your favorite club and smack a beautiful flyer right on the green. Who's going to say that wasn't a good golf shot? You end up with a par on the hole, but your score doesn't really reflect that amazing shot now does it?
The point is, don't put too much emphasis on the amount of strokes on your scorecard. Think about your golf score as a reflection of the amazing shots you've made as well as the flubbers you've had to live through as well. Then you can find out what kind of a golfer you are and not have to live by the golf score alone.
However, the Scots are generally adamant that the game of golf was a Scottish invention on St. Andrews golf course. The name "golf" is a derivative of the Dutch word "kolf" however, so as for who really invented the game, we say who really cares!
It really doesn't matter who actually invented the game, but what does matter is how the history of golf has evolved over the years. Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes. St. Andrews began with eleven holes dictated by the topography of the land the course was located on. Players would play the eleven holes out and then back in to total 22 holes. Later, several of the holes were deemed too short and were combined with each other. That reduced the number from 11 down to 9 so a complete round of golf was comprised of 18 holes.
By 1744, the game of golf had become wildly popular. So much so that a group of men called Gentlemen Golfers decided that a set of rules must be laid out for fair play. They came up with a list of thirteen guidelines on playing the game.
Major changes since the 19th century have occurred in the equipment needed for play. Better mowers made greens easier to play on. Golf balls designs would evolve by using rubber and man-made materials which made the ball fly longer on a drive. The wooden golf tee would make the drive easier.
No discussion of golf history would be complete without talking about the advances made in golf clubs. Metal shafts came about in the 1930s and most drivers were made of wood which is why they are called woods today even though they are most commonly made these days of metal or titanium. The golf shaft design has also gravitated towards graphite which is lighter and makes the club easier to swing.
When referring to the history of golf, we can debate exactly where the game originated, but the game of golf as we know it today, most certainly came about in Scotland. Even if we're wrong, we do still have this wonderful game - and most of us are very glad about that!
Golf Course
The game of golf is played on a golf course - obviously. But have you ever thought what goes into making a good golf course? I mean, what makes a good golf course, and what makes a not-so-good golf course? While we don't have the space to go through specific design layouts, we can touch on some of the aspects of a golf course that makes it fun to play yet challenging too.
Like the miniature golf course, a regular golf course should be fun. You really can't add the fun windmills or other hazards on a regular golf course, but you can use the natural elements of the land to help build challenges into the layout.
Obviously, the first thing you're going to need is land. I mean, you're going to need A LOT of land! The golf course must have some long yardage holes as well as some shorter yardage holes. However, most golfers will agree that having mostly longer holes is a great challenge. But they also need those short par 3s for a little ego boost!
Challengers on the golf courses are numerous especialy when you have several sand bunkers. Bunkers are now placed on the fairways as well as around the bunkers causing more golfers headaches! Having to hit out of the sand provides for all sorts of stroke modifications, and golfers love to have the challenge at hand!
The challengers on the golf courses are numerous one such is the dreaded water hazards. Rivers and lakes in theire natural enviroment are found everywere on the golf course. and man made water hazards are dug out and then filled with water over large areas! Water hazards make a player have to use finesse to avoid them and make a golf course fun to navigate.
The golf course that we play most often used to be a cow pasture. The rolling hills that used to have Holstein's instead of golf carts make this particular golf course a lot of fun to try and get "up and down" on. Rolling hills cause the golf ball to- you must guess here - roll! You think you have a great drive and you just might have but when you ball lands on the side of a hill two things will happen either it will stop dead a harder shot or it wiil carry on down the side of the hill. Either way, this is another way to make a golf course challenging.
Natural trees and woods are also part of the golf course environment. When you hear the sound of your ball hitting a tree on the golf course there is no sound worse. Then you have the fun task of trying to find out where the ball landed. Did it go further in or did the tree propel it out into the fairway? You have a great way of either way to challenge yourself against natural elements.
The fun of designing a golf course is shared by player and designer alike. Take in the natural elements of your favorite golf course and then navigate through those hazards with a positive attitude. Then you'll be having fun!
Discover how to hold your club. Learn the secret to your back swing. Does balance really effect your at game? Discover the mental game and learn the basics. Find out how your stance plays a role, learn about chipping. Discover common mistakes.
Plus much MUCH More at [http://www.golfsultimateguide.com]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bentley_Loveday
When you are playing the great game of golf, your golf scores become both your best friends as well as your worst enemies. Many players live by their golf scores and judge their progress according to what the score card says. While you might think that your golf scores are the best gauge of how you are coming along as a golfer, that isn't necessarily the case.
The way golf scores are tallied can mean so many things. Just because you shoot an 8 on a par 4 doesn't necessarily mean you are a bad golfer. It might mean that you had a bad drive and a mis-aimed chip - but it doesn't make you a bad golfer. So don't put too much stock into what the scorecard says. Judge your golf game by how you play rather than what your scores are.
Golf scores are only meant to help you keep track of the strokes you take to get from tee box to the hole. They don't ever take into consideration things like hazards, weather conditions, or anxiety. Sure, you can't keep track of how you are doing without paying attention to your golf scores, but you still need to keep in mind that there are a million variables that can make your score fluctuate.
Of course, if you're a golfer, you know all the terminology - birdie, eagle, bogey, double eagle (if you're really lucky) - but the real story in golf scores lies in how you played the course and navigated the hole. Instead of keeping track of scores, why don't you keep track of where you were for a particular shot and how that shot came out?
Let's say, you make a horrible drive on a par 4 and only end up 100 yards off the tee box. Let's hope it's past the women's tee - if you know what I mean! So now you are faced with a long fairway shot. You pick up your favorite club and smack a beautiful flyer right on the green. Who's going to say that wasn't a good golf shot? You end up with a par on the hole, but your score doesn't really reflect that amazing shot now does it?
The point is, don't put too much emphasis on the amount of strokes on your scorecard. Think about your golf score as a reflection of the amazing shots you've made as well as the flubbers you've had to live through as well. Then you can find out what kind of a golfer you are and not have to live by the golf score alone.
However, the Scots are generally adamant that the game of golf was a Scottish invention on St. Andrews golf course. The name "golf" is a derivative of the Dutch word "kolf" however, so as for who really invented the game, we say who really cares!
It really doesn't matter who actually invented the game, but what does matter is how the history of golf has evolved over the years. Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes. St. Andrews began with eleven holes dictated by the topography of the land the course was located on. Players would play the eleven holes out and then back in to total 22 holes. Later, several of the holes were deemed too short and were combined with each other. That reduced the number from 11 down to 9 so a complete round of golf was comprised of 18 holes.
By 1744, the game of golf had become wildly popular. So much so that a group of men called Gentlemen Golfers decided that a set of rules must be laid out for fair play. They came up with a list of thirteen guidelines on playing the game.
Major changes since the 19th century have occurred in the equipment needed for play. Better mowers made greens easier to play on. Golf balls designs would evolve by using rubber and man-made materials which made the ball fly longer on a drive. The wooden golf tee would make the drive easier.
No discussion of golf history would be complete without talking about the advances made in golf clubs. Metal shafts came about in the 1930s and most drivers were made of wood which is why they are called woods today even though they are most commonly made these days of metal or titanium. The golf shaft design has also gravitated towards graphite which is lighter and makes the club easier to swing.
When referring to the history of golf, we can debate exactly where the game originated, but the game of golf as we know it today, most certainly came about in Scotland. Even if we're wrong, we do still have this wonderful game - and most of us are very glad about that!
Golf Course
The game of golf is played on a golf course - obviously. But have you ever thought what goes into making a good golf course? I mean, what makes a good golf course, and what makes a not-so-good golf course? While we don't have the space to go through specific design layouts, we can touch on some of the aspects of a golf course that makes it fun to play yet challenging too.
Like the miniature golf course, a regular golf course should be fun. You really can't add the fun windmills or other hazards on a regular golf course, but you can use the natural elements of the land to help build challenges into the layout.
Obviously, the first thing you're going to need is land. I mean, you're going to need A LOT of land! The golf course must have some long yardage holes as well as some shorter yardage holes. However, most golfers will agree that having mostly longer holes is a great challenge. But they also need those short par 3s for a little ego boost!
Challengers on the golf courses are numerous especialy when you have several sand bunkers. Bunkers are now placed on the fairways as well as around the bunkers causing more golfers headaches! Having to hit out of the sand provides for all sorts of stroke modifications, and golfers love to have the challenge at hand!
The challengers on the golf courses are numerous one such is the dreaded water hazards. Rivers and lakes in theire natural enviroment are found everywere on the golf course. and man made water hazards are dug out and then filled with water over large areas! Water hazards make a player have to use finesse to avoid them and make a golf course fun to navigate.
The golf course that we play most often used to be a cow pasture. The rolling hills that used to have Holstein's instead of golf carts make this particular golf course a lot of fun to try and get "up and down" on. Rolling hills cause the golf ball to- you must guess here - roll! You think you have a great drive and you just might have but when you ball lands on the side of a hill two things will happen either it will stop dead a harder shot or it wiil carry on down the side of the hill. Either way, this is another way to make a golf course challenging.
Natural trees and woods are also part of the golf course environment. When you hear the sound of your ball hitting a tree on the golf course there is no sound worse. Then you have the fun task of trying to find out where the ball landed. Did it go further in or did the tree propel it out into the fairway? You have a great way of either way to challenge yourself against natural elements.
The fun of designing a golf course is shared by player and designer alike. Take in the natural elements of your favorite golf course and then navigate through those hazards with a positive attitude. Then you'll be having fun!
Discover how to hold your club. Learn the secret to your back swing. Does balance really effect your at game? Discover the mental game and learn the basics. Find out how your stance plays a role, learn about chipping. Discover common mistakes.
Plus much MUCH More at [http://www.golfsultimateguide.com]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bentley_Loveday
Saturday, 20 February 2010
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