I decided to get of my lazy backside and have a go – is it as addictive as they say? Surely it can’t be that hard to knock a small white ball around a field of trees and sandpits!

So, without the first clue in what to do I went to the local golf course. I watched a while and decided that I ought to use the practice area (driving range) before ‘wowing’ everyone with my natural skill on the course.

I asked the man in the shop to have a go on the driving range –

“How many balls?” he asked
“Just the one” I replied
“100 or 200?” came the reply
“Oh I see, just 100” I said feeling I’d soon get the grip of it.

It was only as I left the shop I realized I’d forgotten something –so I returned. “Have you got any sticks?” I enquired.

“You mean CLUBS”
“Whatever”
“1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or 9?”

I was starting to wonder what the obsession was with having a lot of everything.
“Just 1”.

So I walked out with my token, long club and went to the range. I put the token in the machine and listened to it make all sorts of strange noises. Bang, gurgle, clunk and then 100 balls started shooting out.

It was only at that moment my hawk like vision spotted the baskets in the corner. 100 balls continued to shoot out of the machine, over my feet and across the floor.

Half an hour later I had picked them up and went to a bay. I positioned myself between two older gentlemen. Figuring they couldn’t be that good (Oh how I was wrong!!). I put my ball on the tee and prepared to whack the ball as hard as I could. Having been into bodybuilding for some years I figured I could outdo anyone else.

However, due to the heat, the energy I’d expended collecting balls and the adrenaline – my hands were a bit sweaty. I swung. I looked up and watched my no 1 club flying 75 yards up the driving range, looking like a giant silver boomerang. It was only after I had to stop twenty people from swinging while I walked in front of them to get it that I realized that golf is harder than it looks.

A good golf swing is a combination of many things -
- Equipment
- Timing
- Delivery
- Precision
- Relaxation
- Grip
- Timing
- Stance and the list goes on.

– When they come together it’s pure joy – when just one thing is out – it is frustrating.

The rule is the same for anything - the right combination, in the right time leads to joy. Get it out of sync and it’s painful.

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For the US, there is little that can be any better than Florida when it comes to a golf vacation. Featuring some of the oldest and most difficult courses that can be found anywhere, Florida has long been a state where the top golfers of the world travel. If you make the trip at the right time of the year you may be able to catch some of the Pro tournaments that go on throughout the year. Take along a fair amount of money, as the courses tend to run high in the green fees.

In the ultimate golf vacation you could travel to Europe. As a game, golf has grown in popularity in the past years for the Europeans and that means that there are some exciting courses available for even the most advanced player. You can expect to find a few masters on the links in Europe as it has become one the most popular destinations overall.

California is also a great spot for you next golf vacation. Because of the wonderful weather that comes to play in California the golf courses stay open year round. There is a whole host of great masters tournaments that come through the state and the green fees are well below the normal range. There is a level of difficulty for all to enjoy themselves and some of the most breathtaking scenery that one could ever find.

Las Vegas is not one that you would think of for the golf vacation but that is anything but true. One must remember that some of the worlds most powerful people reside in Las Vegas and that means that they demand some of the best golf course to foster their business deals.

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These may come in two forms with corresponding rules to be played on and these are the match play and the stroke play.

In any given type of golf games, winning is determined by the fewer number of strikes before the ball gets into their respective holes. How you would be able to lower your golf score depends on how you strategize and effectively hit the ball to get it to the nearest holes you are trying to reach. But this objective makes it even hard for us due to a variety of reasons.

There are a couple of tips by which novice golfers could take advantage of in order to get away with the restrictions imposed by your physical infirmity and eventually lower your score in any given hole target.

1. Understanding the Physics of Golfing – Players may not be aware that golf gaming operates on several principles of physics.

A beginning golfer should understand that in order to achieve the least possible strikes before they get the ball into the winning holes, they must know how a golf ball with weight flies and cuts the air into trajectory motion before reaching the ground.

Being able to estimate the relative weight of the ball and the clubs being used will surely put you on a winning edge.

2. Physical Training – You must understand that golf is a type of physical activity and in order to perform a certain kinetic workout well, one must be able to handle and put together all the elements of bodily strength, endurance, and full coordination and balance and perform at your utmost potential. In short, one must be physically fit.

3. Take on That Ideal Swing – As an individual golfer, you must create your own unique swinging technique. You should learn to understand how you could best perform your drive and take on fewer strikes before reaching the hole.

4. Take on a Daily Routine – There is truth to the old cliché that practice makes perfect. However, it should be put in mind that proper practice in the right environment with the right experienced people around makes most of the difference.

5. Proper Mindset – Emotions play an important role in setting your goals to their completion. Body chemistry works in any physical activity such as golf games. If you are upset and worrying about anything else, leave it at that and start focusing on a playing mode.

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Many do not even realize how imperative it is that muscles used in the golf swing are exercised and kept in tip top condition. Actually, if this is not done, it becomes extremely difficult to for anybody to enjoy the game as too many factors stand in the way of a golfer who does not exercise.

For example a common complaint amongst many golfers on the course is that of pain in the lower back which is usually aggravated by golf. This pain is especially evident after longer sessions on the course.

How can any golfer improve golf swing, let alone have any hope of enjoying the game with such a nagging, persistent pain? Yet this problem is easily solved by simply strengthening lower back muscles used by doing certain exercises.

The result is that there is a higher level of endurance which will also have a tremendous impact on the golf swing of any golfer. There is actually a very simple exercise to achieve this which can be done from the comfort of your home and without having to go into a gym or special exercise area.

Muscles used in the golf swing include some in the lower leg as well as those higher up like the hamstring which is crucial in accomplishing the perfect golf swing.

It is a proven fact that muscles used in the golf swing that are not exercised and conditioned on a regular basis with the correct exercise, will usually not respond to the correct golfing techniques.

Without being conditioned to obtain the necessary stamina and staying power it is unlikely that muscles used in the golf swing will be able to deliver the required performance.

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You don’t need to be a bodybuilder or powerlifter for golf, just enough strength to produce a powerful swing. So, in evaluating a golfer you simply look at the rotational ability of the joints that most affect the golf swing. It is also helpful to look at a golfer’s current level of strength and stability or muscular imbalances which have the potential to create injury.

But then what? Well, if you are assessing a golfer who always complains about lack of distance and you find out they have very limited spinal rotation then you just found out a potential reason "why." If a golfer lacks adequate spinal rotation, then its virtually impossible to produce respectable distance because you are not able to move your body freely through this motion, at least without finding another way to compensate in the body like excessive hip rotation or other variation.

The good news is that if this is discovered in an assessment, then a few simple stretches which focus entirely on improving spinal rotation will likely yield distance you have never experienced.

This brings us back to the meaning of "golf specific". If we understand the biomechanics of the swing, then we can look at an individual and determine where they need improvement. With some golfers, a few stretches will produce results they’ve never seen before. With other golfers, they need considerably more strength. Some golfers are very strong, yet can’t move through a full range of motion or lack proper core engagement to keep their backs protected. Each golfer is different and therefore has different needs.

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Most of these people would have been better off if they had just stayed home and mowed the lawn. Why? They are practicing without a purpose.

PLAN YOUR GOLF PRACTICE

The first step in improving your golf is learning more about the swing. If you do not want to take lessons, there is a wealth of information available in books, magazines and on the web. Find some information related to a part of your game you are struggling with. You’ll likely find many articles related to any and every golf sin you could possibly commit. Focus on the cause and effect. Try to understand not only what you need to do to improve, but the causes of your problem. There are likely to be multiple possible causes and solutions.

HIT THE DRIVING RANGE? NOT YET

Instead of running to hit that next large bucket, take those golf tips you learned and apply them in front of a full-length mirror. This is especially effective if you are working on your stance or setup. You can easily compare your body position with those of the pros in the magazines. Take your backswing in slow motion, stopping at various points to again compare your position with the pro. This exercise will help you picture and feel a good golf swing.

SMALL BUCKET PLEASE

When you finally get to the range, your mind is no doubt full of energy and excitement as you prepare to apply your new thoughts. That is good. But, remember that it is quality golf practice, not quantity, which counts. Get the small bucket and take your time. Rest between shots. Resolve in your mind to think about what you are working on before each shot. Apply one swing thought before each practice shot. Too many thoughts will result in “paralysis of analysis”. After each shot, reflect on not only the result, but how the swing felt. What did you do wrong? What did you do right?

PRACTICE WITH A FRIEND

You can triple the effectiveness of your golf practice if you bring a friend with you. Buy one large bucket and share a stall. Take turns hitting a few shots each. Tell your friend what you are working on and ask him to describe how it looks. Watch one another from the side and behind to get different angles. Ask your partner to focus on different elements of the swing: the grip, setup, plane, top of back swing, lower body position, shoulder turn, etc.

IMPROVEMENT TAKES TIME

Remember to keep focused on improving your weaknesses. It makes little sense to spend 75% of your golf practice time working on your strong points. Don’t get impatient. Realize that improvement takes time! Nobody goes from a twenty-handicap down to a single-digit overnight. However, if you apply these tips, you’ll be building your knowledge of the game as you practice. This can only help improve your game in the long run.

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