The most crucial factor in short putts is your clubface angle, its surprising how many of us don’t aim where we think. We then resort to compensating with our swing which means that we need a bad stroke to hole the putt. With this drill, you will visually see your clubface behind the ball in an open or closed position relative to the driver shaft above.
Club Path
Research shows that most golfers do not have their putter moving exactly toward the target on a 1 meter putt. In the drill, you will clearly see if you are swing right or left of your target. You will then be able to make the small corrections in your swing to get the club moving in the right direction.
Angle of Attack
To putt our best, we must maintain a wide ark which is created by the movement of the shoulders not the wrist. This motion assures us of striking the ball level not on the upswing or the downswing. If you break your wrist during the drill, the club will rise up and strike the driver shaft above which will let you know instantly that you have used your wrists.
Follow Through
We are often taught to take our putter equal back and through as a pendulum. However, on a short putt, taking the putter back half the length of our follow through gives us a pattern which has more intent. This drill restricts the backswing as your driver club head is in the way, the golfer must accelerate the putter toward the target creating a confident stroke with no apprehension.
Author: Peter Harrington (PGA)
As head professional at The Golf School Peter has been a PGA professional for 20 years. Peter brings a wealth of experience to the school as its founder and CEO. He is a master at his craft and a great communicator and motivator. Peter began his golfing career playing around with his Dad and it was there that he quickly showed from a young age an enormous amount of natural ability. Peter quickly became a leading Junior and Senior player in the amateur ranks in Queensland and Australia. After turning professional Peter played on the Queensland “troppo tour” winning over 30 Pro-Ams. He played for over 10 years fulltime travelling throughout Asia and Australia.
Walking around a golf course can seem endless if there is a heavy bag to tug around. Golf push carts can make golfing even more pleasurable by easing the heavy load of carrying golf clubs. The biggest seller in golf carts is the three wheeled golf cart. Golf push carts are easy to handle and push around the fairway, and will become a favorite for avid golfers.
Push carts made for carrying golf bags have been evolving and now include a variety of features. Some golf carts come with storage areas, handle-mounted brakes, systems that make it easy to fold and unfold them, umbrellas and mounts so a golfer does not need to stand under the hot sun, and even a drink holder.
Many companies sell different types and models of the three wheeled golf cart. These ergonomically designed carts are easier to manage around the course, and they handle the terrain smoothly. Many of them are made with aluminum making them lightweight and simple to fold, unfold, and store in the trunk of the car, or in a closet at home.
Golf push carts make a wonderful addition to any devoted golfers equipment. The three wheeled golf cart is handy to have around, especially on courses that do not allow electric golf carts to roam. There are many models to choose from and portability, lightweight, and sturdy are all great reasons to purchase one. Pick and choose, from a large selection, the type that is most appealing.
Most beginning golfers go immediately on an unnecessary spending spree. There are some pieces of golf equipment and/or gear that are absolutely essential for helping you get your game off on the right foot. You should know that not every product advertised on television or on golf shows will help you improve your game. More often than not these pieces of equipment will do little to help your game and a lot to hurt your wallet. Save the advanced gadgets for later, and focus on a few key pieces of golf equipment when you first start playing.
The first piece of golf equipment to invest in is a golf bag. Golf bags, while not cheap, are a worthy investment especially if you intend to play the game for a long time. Your golf bag is how you’ll carry everything else you’ll need. As you compare the different brands, styles, and prices, keep a few things in mind. The first thing to keep in mind is the bag should be comfortable to carry. Second, you’ll need to decide if you want a bag that has a built-in stand, which is recommended if you plan to walk rather than rent a cart or hire a caddy when you play.
You will also need to make sure that there is plenty of room to carry the equipment that you feel is important for you to always have with room to grow.
Another good purchase for beginner golf equipment is golf balls. At first, you will probably lose lots of balls. It can take time to find the ball that matches your style of golf. One good suggestion to consider as a beginning golfer looking for the right equipment is to buy recycled golf balls. You can find large packages of mixed brands that have been recovered from water hazards. This method gives you an inexpensive way to try out various brands to find the best fit for you.
You will also need to invest in a decent divot tool. It won’t help your game play but golf is a gentleman’s sport. Golf etiquette dictates that you repair any damage caused to the green by your ball so subsequent players are impaired by dents and clumps you’ve left behind on the green.
There are few items that are absolutely essential to the game of golf like these. You need all the help you can get when you first take up the game of golf. These pieces of golf equipment do not require huge investments but they can have a huge impact on the quality of your personal golf game as well as your personal enjoyment of it. Investing in smaller pieces of necessary equipment now allows you to save for the larger investments that you’ll need later.
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With a lot of sports the clothes become just as important as the actually sport. Fashionable sports wear evolves immensely over time and this can be seem particularly in the field of golf. In the early years of the 20th century, traditionally women were not given an equal foot in participating in such sports competitions and so comfortable dresses for the sports where just given no thought.
Most of the women of that era engaging in the sport of golf wore custom-made skirts and blouses incredibly similar to business attire. After more than a decade, the golf sweater and tweed had made its path into the fashion world by the year 1910 until 1930s. Then, the post war designs emerged after 1945. There was a wider range of styles available for golf wear depending on the individual’s choice. Around 1960, designer clothing was made available for those participating in sport and specifically golf.
Appropriate dressing for golf constitutes primarily to different country clubs which usually requires those to strictly adhere to the dress code. Having the suitable clothes to wear in a given situation, place or time shows respect to the members of the group where you belong or to the one who invited you in particular. There are basic dress etiquette for golf that a golfer must take into consideration. Most golfers stick mainly to golf wear brands which is actually a good choice because it is chiefly tailored for the sports itself.
Ideally, golfers’ shoes are breathable and comfortable but at the same time, still fashionable. Having the golf trousers and particularly in cold wet weather golf waterproofs are essential and acceptable on the golf course. Caps and visors as headgear are also widely worn by golfers to protect them from sunlight.
Different brands of golf clothing have surfaced in order to provide the demand of most golfers in the golf realm. The majority of these are designer clothing, wherein, they provide an ample selection of ranges and collections suited for golfing. Still the comfort is the most vital factor in choosing golf clothing without compromising ones fashion statement. It is because the garments worn will actually affect the every swing of the golfer’s take.
On a typical January day, we're usually bundling up in hats and gloves, but not Thursday.
People have been soaking up the sun in sandals and bare legs.
Aberdeen saw a record high temperature of 60 degrees.
For dozens of people at the Lee Park Golf Course in Aberdeen it's been a day to get out and shake some dust off their game.
“Anytime you can be out in Aberdeen in the mid 50's, it's a moral imperative to take advantage of the golf course, no snow, warm temperatures, it was just kinda a no brainer,” Local golfer Bruce Nystrom said.
While many golfers are enjoying their time on the fairways, those in the downtown area are taking care of some chores that normally wouldn't be done this time of year
We saw a man outside who was cleaning the windows of a store on Main Street.
And also saw another man who was pretending to shovel snow.
But just year ago this same ground was filled with inches of snow and the temperatures were below freezing.
Thursday the thermometer at the Dacotah Bank in downtown Aberdeen read 63 degrees, crushing the previous record of 46 degrees, set in 1935.
Joel Hornaman lives in Aberdeen and was running an errand for his daughter; a favor he would normally do in his car with the heat blasted.
But with the beautiful weather Hornaman says he is taking advantage of what Mother Nature is delivering.
“We're intending to leave in about 3 weeks to go down to Texas, we just hope that the weather down there can compete with ours,” Hornaman said.
“It's a great time, it's just great to take a little time off and take advantage of what Mother Nature has given us here today,” Nystrom said.
The Lee Park Golf Course isn't officially open, but the public is welcome to get in some swings for the New Year; they say just as long as you don't go on the greens.
Q: I am only an average golfer – why should I need custom-fitted clubs?
A: You need custom-fitted clubs because:
1. Custom-fitted clubs are tuned to your playing ability and swing so that your energy or lack there-of is efficiently utilized by the golf club to improve your game.
2. Once clubs are fitted properly, a golfer can concentrate their effort on improving the golf swing, therefore, for total game improvement.
Many golfers, especially those who are less experienced, greatly misunderstand the entire concept of custom golf clubs. They may think that custom clubs are reserved for either the expert golfer, or the golfer with a high budget for golf equipment. They couldn’t be further from the truth in either case. Custom club fitting is an excellent method to properly fit any golfer to any type of golf equipment. Regardless of your age, height, strength, body type or gender, getting the proper shaft type, shaft flex, proper lie angle, and clubhead style are all significant features that will help to maximize your playing ability. Knowing that your clubs fit you perfectly, allows you to play your best and improve the quality of your game, and the bottom line – have more fun.
Custom Golf Clubs are:
- Game improving, more forgiving
- For all levels of golfers
- For all body shapes and sizes, not just short or tall golfers
- Endless options, rather than one-size-fits-all and all the same appearance from the store shelf
- Considered and evaluated with up t o 15 variables
Game improving, more forgiving
If you were to pick up a new golf club from your favorite sporting goods store or Pro-Shop, you will assuredly acquire your self a really nice new quality golf club – BUT, the identical club that your six-foot-tall neighbor bought, the five-foot-tall work friend bought, your weight lifting buddy bought, and the skinny junior varsity high school golf team kid bought, and the one your grandpa bought. It’s the obvious truth that not all those people fit the same mold While the high school kid and grandpa are spending a lot of money, the smart golfer will save 50% over the one-size-fits-all brand name club while having his clubs fitted to him or her and at the same time actually improve their game. The more that your new clubs are designed around your desires and needs, the better they will perform for you. To be even more precise, the tall guy and the short guy may require the same size clubs. Why? because the length of the arms is whay really matters. To get a great fitting golf club, a measurment from your grip to the ground is necessary.
For all levels of golfers
Tiger Woods and other PGA professionals obviously have their golf clubs custom built to suit every aspect of their game – they need every bit of advantage that they can get since there are millions of Dollars and their future existence is on the line. Obviously you do not have those issues, but you do want to have more fun on the golf course. Golf is difficult and can be aggravating all by itself. Why let ill-fitted equipment drag down your game? Too many times we have seen players struggling to improve because of clubs that are too heavy or too light, too long or short, too stiff or flexible, too flat or upright. Get the equipment right, then work on the skills.
For all body shapes and sizes, not just short or tall golfers
We are all different and a significant investment in golf equipment should provide maximum benefit to each individual golfer. Some golfers are short and some are tall, but that surprisingly makes little difference in selection of a customized club option. Some of us were made with longer/shorter arms, longer/shorter legs, longer/shorter bodies, more/less physical strength etc. A tall golfer might have short arms and a short golfer may have long arms. This is precisely why we measure a golfer’s grip distance to the ground, swing speeds, age, frequency of play etc. Once you have been fully evaluated, you can be properly fitted for clubs that are right for just you.
Endless options for appearance and fit (rather than store shelf, one size and color fits all )
You can have your choice of flex (even half way between flexes, like semi-stiff) to improve distance and control, choice of length (which will provide much better ball control), consider shaft flex points, balance, swing weight, shaft spine alignment, shaft brand, shaft color, grip brand, grip type, grip color, grip size, head loft, head shape, etc.etc. At The Ace of Clubs, we would be happy to spend the time with you to help you figure out what you want and what you need. The buyer of custom golf clubs does need to be somewhat aware and pay attention about who they are buying from and what they are getting. Some internet golf stores use poor quality head or shaft components, or use improper assembly techniques to cut corners and save costs or reduce their prices. Just a little bit of homework is a good idea so that you know exactly what you are getting and who you are getting it from, to be sure that you are getting quality components and to know that you chosen club builder taking the time to properly prepare them in the assembly process. One way of knowing that you will achieve this is by sticking with companies who offer a no risk guarantee on their products (yes, those do exist). Rest assured, of your club builder makes this kind of offer to their customer, then you can be fairly comfortable that quility and customer satisfaction is something that they focus on – they obviously want you to keep coming back.
Fitting Evaluation Considerations and variables used may include;
• Set composition • Club length • Loft/lie angle • Club head design • Shaft frequency-flex • Shaft material • Flex-point • Torque • Shaft bend/balance point • Overall club balance point • Total club gram weight • Grip weight/size/material • Your handicap • Your frequency of play • Your physical make-up
When you place an online order for you golf clubs, check to see whether your chosen club builder offers to evaluate your needs with these important features in mind. Since most of the time, the clubs will need to be assembled prior to shipping, it would be beneficial for you to have them built to best suit you. Some stores offer an automated response to a questionaire, some offer human intervention to a club fitting (which I prefer), and others may require you to call and have a conversation. A good example of a thorough evaluation is found with this Custom Golf Clubs fitting form. With the information that you would provide in such a form would make it possible for the caring club builder to help you to maximmize the benefit of your golf club investment.
For a man who has achieved so much in golf, and who has shaped the current position of professional golf like no other, Jack Nicklaus is a remarkably humble man. As he stood on the famous Swilken Bridge at St. Andrews in 2005, taking a ten minute standing ovation from an adoring crowd, Nicklaus was saying goodbye on the final hole when playing in his last Open Championship. The Golden Bear’s illustrious career achievements remain as fresh and vibrant as ever.
What is certain is that over his career, the clubs Nicklaus used to play the game changed radically. Nicklaus began playing in an era where 250-yard drives were considered top-level play, but technology moved the game on and it is a credit to his unique golfing talent that despite learning to play the game in a different era, Nicklaus continued to be competitive until he finally retired from playing in 2005.
Let’s check out what Jack had in his bag during his final few rounds in that memorable year.
Although he may have began his career playing with the old style wooden headed clubs, Nicklaus was one of the great innovators of golf, adapting his game to suit new equipment and technology as it became available. Emphasis of this was his own brand of golf clubs, of which no greater endorsement was the fact that Jack continued to use these clubs until the day he retired.
What is interesting in checking this bag from six years ago is the fact that Nicklaus was one of the first golfers to use the Hybrid club. Although the rest of his bag may be viewed as being a conventional set, the use of the Hi Max Hybrid 2 shows that Nicklaus wasn’t averse to pushing the boundaries of his game when required. It was that search for perfection that would help bring him so many major titles.
Nicklaus used his own brand of Premium forged Irons for his last few rounds. The clubs have been updated since 2005 and are still available under the Nicklaus brand name.
Although the fashion is now for players to carry a range of different wedges, some even carrying 3 or 4 in a bag depending on the round, Nicklaus was very much a traditionalist, using his sand and pitching wedges to marvellous effects both out of bunkers and from around the green.
It was fitting that Nicklaus’ last putt in the British Open would be sunk for a birdie and perhaps equally fitting that it was his own brand of Cynamet putter that allowed him to trickle the 15 foot putt into the cup on the final green at St. Andrews, to bring to an end a glorious major career.
Although it has undergone several refinements since 2005, the Callaway HX Tour ball is still available and in wide use today by many players. The HX Diablo is the latest incarnation, though it is probably safe to assume that if Jack were to pick a ball to play today from the Callaway range, it would be the Tour i(z) or 9(S) version.
The Manchester Golf Performance Centre at Chorlton Golf Club has now been in operation for nine months and has proved to be an outstanding success on several fronts.
The MGPC involved major construction work above the professional’s shop with the club’s faith in professional James Curtis and his staff to deliver a great product being more than realised.
James said: “We have been delivering over 100 lessons a week at MGPC and we have taught every ‘major’ Chorlton winner this year.
“We have also had a huge success in developing other people’s games whether elite players or introducing men and ladies to the game of golf.
“We also have a thriving junior academy and a great deal for membership for players under 30 years of age.
“Personally I have players travelling from all over the UK and I also coach our star junior Cameron Massey now a regular for the England Under 16 teams who has dropped his handicap to plus two this year.
“Assistant pro Marcus Dunning has made a fantastic impact to my team with the experience he gained in the US and has consequently become busy teaching.
“He is a strong player and looks forward to competing locally and he is also available for club custom fitting in our state-of-the-art facility with clients travelling to make use of this from all over the North of England.”
He continued: “Danny Hartley is enjoying the second year of the PGA course and he has delivered a lot of lessons and achieved great success especially in the junior section.
“Danny looks forward to competing again on the local circuit after undergoing shoulder surgery.
“My other assistant Joe Mannion is looking to begin his PGA course next September and starting his professional career.
“The MGPC looks forward to helping golfers improve and therefore enjoy their game and we are as busy now as in the summer as we look to help players prepare for the 2012 season.”
Contact 0161 881 9911 foir more details.
Elsewhere Chorlton’s men enjoyed a Bottle competition led in by Dave Roxburgh with 39 points ahead of Chris Kelly 37, Steve Clare 36 and Danny Acton, Brian Cullinan and David Mawson, all 35.
Northenden’s men played a Team of Four Stabelford and in unstoppable form were the fab four of Paul Wilson, Anthony Milner, Lee Turner and Dave Nelson with a massive haul of 102 points.
Next in with 97 were Sandy Busby, Paolo Mancini, Dave Muirhead and Russ Tyler.
A Midweek Stableford for Withington’s men saw in-form Ian Price on top with 44 points from Dennis Hand 43, and Carl Greig 42.
The fourth Winter Stableford at Didsbury had Dave Bowers winning division one after a cpo on 38 points with Ian Self.
It also needed a cpo on 35 points in division two to see Paul Massey home from Peter Mellor.
In-form Pete Brocken topped division three with 34 points and Steve Thomas was top vet with 35.
Haigh Hall stars dominated the leader board on another excellent Manchester Alliance competition enjoyed by a full field at the superb De Vere Mottram Hall venue.
Craig Corrigan was the first Haigh Hall player to win a prize winning the individual pro top spot with 40 points after carding 68, to finish ahead of Tim Maxwell (Knutsford) 37, and Anthony Millar (Cheadle) and Jon Cheetham (Styal) both 36.
Craig Corrigan also led in the pro am section with a superb haul of 45 points with club amateur Chris Seabrook playing a vital role in boosting the score.
Next in on 42 after winning a cpo were Haigh Hall’s Martin Longshaw and Horace Wilcox from Disley father and son duo Scott and Hugh Jackson.
It also needed a count-back on 42 points in the am am section with Leigh regulars Steve Dagger and Mark Riley getting the nod ahead of Ashton-on-Mersey’s Mike Lynch and Andy Moran. Completing the prize list were Brookdale stalwarts Lewis Marland and Alf Shillitoe with 40 points.
A reminder was given to all clubs to return their club team knock out entries early in the New Year.
The good wishes of the Alliance were given to Ellesmere assistant pro Martyn Hamer who is taking up a post in Dubai for the next two years.
FootJoy kick-started the 2012 Race to Dubai season in impressive fashion on Sunday when Brand Ambassador, Louis Oosthuizen won the Africa Open.
The 29-year-old 2010 Open Champion from Mossel Bay was in sparkling form, producing a stunning final-round 67 in front of a home galleries to claim a two-shot victory.
Trusting in the ultimate shoe in golf, the FJ ICON and the superior grip quality of the FJ SciFlex Glove, crowd favourite Ooosthuizen was in firm form all week and his 72-hole total of 27 under par was just enough to see off joint overnight leader and fellow FJ loyalist Tjaart Van Der Walt, who was also sporting FJ ICON golf shoes as well as an FJ StaSof Glove.
The victory instantly propeled Oosthuizen to the top of The Race to Dubai listings
Russell Lawes, European Marketing Manager og FootJoy, said: “Congratulations must first go to Louis for a superb performance in overcoming a high-class field at The Africa Open to successfully defend his title.
“It is extremely gratifying to see our FJ tour players making such a promising start to the season.
“With the impending launch of our new Footwear, Glove and Performance Apparel Collections alongside our continued tour successes, 2012 looks set to be another memorable year for FootJoy,” he said
“Whether it is the all-round excellence of the FJ ICON
Buying a good set of wedges will be the best thing you can do for your golf game. With the pros now carrying at least three wedges and usually four, even five in some cases they are leaving the driver out of the bag completely. Does this give you an idea of where the Tigers, Phil and Ernie think the action is?
The golf wedge is the average players’ best friend and with a little practice you can be peppering the green with birdie opportunities like never before. Fewer putts make lower scores and that is what most golfers want, isn’t it?
I buy all my wedges online at auction so I can further reduce the cost. The great benefit to this is that I can save money on a club, try it out for a few weeks and if it doesn’t suit me or my game I simply list it at an online auction and sell it on. Prices are fairly constant so as long as I don’t damage it I generally get my money back, some times I even make a bit of profit.
So, to round up, leave the jokers with too much money in the woods whilst you drop yet another one on the green. May the golf gods go with you.
More other golf clubs at the golfclubsaleonline.com
Clubface Alignment
Last updated: 10th January 2012 FJIcon golf shoes
