by bill larnach

Reducing handicap is nearly always the aim of folks who are interested in golf. The golf slice is one area that frequently causes complications for such individuals. It’s a regular problem and there are a variety of things that can be the cause of it. The advice shared in this article can help you correct your slice and start elevating your scores right away.

Your consistency may be influenced dramatically by merely locating the golf ball back or forward in a player’s stance by just a couple of inches. Ideally you should line-up with the golf ball so the golf ball is about two inches to the inside of your left heel (for right handers). An outside to inside swing path, which usually is a culprit of the golf slice, is often encouraged by a stance where the golf ball is too far forward. Opposite of that scenario, a stance where the golf ball is too far back makes it tough to close the clubface on time which may result in a push slice. A repeatable swing that is precise and slice free can be achieved by establishing a consistent position in your stance.

Your hands should not be turned too far to the left on the golf club. The face of the club may be square to the golf ball at the outset, but this grip causes the club to rotate during your swing. Notice the “V’s” which are made between your thumbs and your index fingers. For the usual slicer these will point toward the leading shoulder at address. However, the “V’s” will point toward the right shoulder when implementing proper grip.

A great number of golfers unknowingly make a mistake as soon as they begin their swing. They will rotate the club clockwise with their hands upon takeaway. This causes the clubface to open on impact, even though it may feel right. The clubface should “open” during your backswing, however this should actually be as a result of rotation of your shoulders and your torso. Your hands shouldn’t be what causes it.

The correction for this is to simply grip your club making zero effort to twist your hands. Here is a simple way to see if you’re doing this right: At the top of your backswing the wrist on your glove hand must be perfectly flat.

Many players think that when they slice the ball, it can be merely adjusted by moving left for righties and to the right for left handers. They are wrong on this idea. You are not miss-hitting the golf ball due to where you’re standing; you are miss-hitting as a consequence of the place on the face of the club you are coming into contact with the ball and what direction the golf club is moving in.

You are going to slice the golf ball even worse if you shift your stance off target to compensate for your golf slice. As opposed to facing off target, make time to work on your swing and be sure you’re striking the golf ball squarely while being lined up with the target. This will correct golf slice issues that come from overcompensation.

Don’t let slicing negatively affect your scores and take away from your game. Utilize recommendations such as the ones above to correct your slicing problems and improve your all around game. You will be able to create a straight shot which reaches your planned target every time if you take time to ensure that your form is implemented the right way.

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by dwyman

(Article based on techniques learned in the Simple Golf Swing)
I know some of you are laughing under your breath wondering what I am doing writing a tip on UNEVEN LIES. What in the world could I possible know about uneven lies living in Scottsdale, Arizona? Well, it is the Grand Canyon State for starters, but yes you’re right, we do not face as many uneven lies as someone from North Carolina, for example. However, there are plenty of times during the course of a round when we are faced with a golf ball that might be on a side hill lie.

Before I begin, I am going to first give you the definition of the four uneven lies in golf.

Uphill Lie - The easiest of the four uneven lies. The ball is level with your feet but the slope is up-hill, we refer to this as an uphill lie. Downhill Lie – A ball that is level to your feet but the slope is down hill, probably the second most difficult shot in golf. Ball Below Feet – The most difficult shot in golf is when the ball is below your feet Ball Above Feet – The fourth uneven lie is when the ball is above your feet.

Don’t get confused between an uphill lie, and when the ball is simply above your feet. These are 2 different lies, and should be addressed separately. Also, don’t get confused with the downhill lie, and the ball being below your feet. Again, these are 2 different lies.

Let’s start with the easiest shot in golf, the up-hill lie. If you struggle with this shot, you probably swing the golf club to vertical into the ground and hit a fat shot. Before you prepare for an uphill lie, you need to think of a few important items first.

1. Make sure you take a less lofted club. When you have an uphill lie, it will make the ball go HIGHER and SHORTER.

2. The ball will have a tendency to hook to the left, so aim a little to the right.

3. To avoid hitting the shot fat, check your shoulder alignment and make sure they are parallel to the ground you are standing on. If you are on an uphill lie, your back shoulder should be a little lower that your leading shoulder.

4. The ball should be positioned according to what club you are using, as though you were on a level lie. (A bit forward for longer clubs.)

5. You want to make sure you follow through HIGH after impact.

Now we can move on to one of the hardest shots in golf, the down hill lie. If you have a tendency to struggle with this shot, the miss hit is usually a top. Follow the steps below and you will see a huge change in your down hill shots.

1. Because the ball will fly lower, you can take a more lofted club to help the ball go a little higher.

2. The ball will have a tendency to curve to the right, aim a little to the left.

3. If you have your shoulders at address tilted level to the down slope of your lie, this will encourage the club to swing DOWN into the ball (correct) and not up in the down swing. Thus, you will hit the bottom of the ball and not the top.

4. Play the ball in your stance according to the club you are using (again, a little forward for a longer club).

5. You want to make sure you follow through LOW to the ground after impact.

Now we are back to a simple golf shot, the ball above our feet. If you follow the steps below, you will not hit the ground behind the ball anymore, and the ball above your feet will become your absolute favorite shot in golf

1. If you struggle with hitting the ball fat in these shots, make sure you are standing taller than your normal stance.

2. The ball will have a tendency to fly to the left, aim a little farther to the right.

3. DO NOT BEND YOUR KNEES

4. This is the main point, the golf club wants to swing more AROUND your body, let it…DO NOT TRY TO MAKE A NORMAL SWING…let the club swing around you.

THE HARDEST SHOT IN GOLF. The dreaded, (I can’t believe this is happening to me) BALL BELOW YOUR FEET golf shot. You have come to the right place, below is the answer.

1. When the ball is below your feet, you will have a tendency to top it to the right, whiff the ball, or shank it.

2. The address is the most important part of this shot. Bend your knees and bend WAY over at address. You ALMOST can not bend TOO much.

3. The ball will have a tendency to go to the right, aim farther left.

4. The golf club wants to swing up and down, NOT around. LET IT…It will feel like a lob swing, this is correct. IF you make your normal swing, you will whiff the ball completely.

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Every wedge shot in golf should be short and simple, because the point of the shot is accuracy. Find out how to stay short in a backswing with tips from a golf instructor in this free video on short and simple wedge shots. Expert: Conan Elliott Contact: www.teacherofchampions.com Bio: Conan Elliott has been the director of instruction at Camas Meadows Golf Club since January 2004. He has been teaching for more than 30 years, and truly is a “teacher of champions.” Filmmaker: Lisa Fenderson
Video Rating: 5 / 5

For a golfing family a golf theme party can be excellent. There are many party themes that can be outstanding. It does depend on what kind of party you are having, the venue you have available and of course the interests and passions of the guest of honor. A golfing family will of course just love golf and probably be very keen on every aspect of the game. They may well have lots of friends who love golf too.

Considering the type of party you may wish to have. The occasion could be a birthday party, retirement party, graduation party or promotion party. You may wish the party to be a vibrant celebration, an Open House party or a quiet family oriented party, for example. I think a golf themed party can suit just about every occasion. For golf lovers and their friends the party is fairly easy to arrange a costume. There are lots of sources of golf type decorations. The food in not that distinctively golf, but buffet and sandwiches is just perfect. The party can be styled as a huge celebration or even a quieter family and friends party. Indeed the main ingredient is golf lovers.

You may have a venue in mind. Again a golf theme party can be suitable in many venues. The venues could be a school gym, park, golf driving range or a home party. In all of these venues you can arrange golf themed decorations and golf games which can satisfy a safety inspection.

The main thing of course that the guest of honor loves golf. They may be a keen golfer, their family and friends may play golf or indeed they may be a keen golfing spectator who just loves the game. The very fact that you have a golf lover as the guest of honor will drive other guests to take part enthusiastically.

Take the example of a home party for a golfing graduate. The graduation party can be set can be set up as a golf themed party and you can enjoy a brilliant time. The invitations can have a golfer on them. The wording can use key golfing phrases like drive on over to the party course or tee off time is at (details). Some golf themed stickers can add to the effect. The decorations can be lots of golfing memorabilia, clubs, balls and bags. Also paintings, posters and photos of famous golfers, courses and moments in the sport. A good touch is to have golf magazines, newspaper stories and trophies. You may have lost of the graduate’s golfing memorabilia to use too. Food can be typical golf club fare with sandwiches, soup and buffet. The music should have some golf related tunes which may be the theme tune for TV golf shows. However it is a party so you may want to have great party music too. Games can be putting, chipping, crazy golf and golf trivia.

A golf theme party can be fantastic.

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by bill larnach

How many of you have gone to the local pro shop or golf store, bought the latest and greatest club, and found that it did not help your scores at all?

I imagine all of us can say yes to this question at some point in our golfing careers. The reality of this situation is that new clubs will not necessarily improve your game. Don’t get me wrong! I enjoy getting new clubs just like you. I get all excited when I get a new driver, putter, or even golf balls and cannot wait to head to the range to hit them.

What if I told you that there was a simple solution to improve your game? Some of you may be telling me; “yeah right, whatever, heard it before, and it is not true”.

Well, I am here to tell you there is a way to improve your golf game.

It is not a secret; it is not some new fangled training aide, or ancient golfing philosophy. I like to reference it as P.P.T. and this stands for PROPER PRACTICE TIME. Yes, the only way to improve your golf game is practice! And proper practice is even more important.

How many times do you go to the range and see someone purchase a jumbo bucket of balls and without warming up, pull out driver and start smacking balls all over the range. How well is this going to improve your game? I am sure most of you would agree to the notion; “not very well”.

This is simply improper practice, and to truly get better at this game you must practice properly. What do I mean by proper practice? Well, let me tell you.

If you have ever heard Dave Pelz speak on the Golf Channel, he often discusses statistics in relation to successful shot making. This describes the percentage of probability that a shot can be hit successfully.

For example, if you are staring down a fairway 20 yards wide, and pull out driver. What is the probability of this shot being successful? Probably quite low for any golfer, and given what Pelz discusses, it is best to stick with shots that have the greatest probability of being successful. In the example above, I would guess a 3-wood, 5-wood, or 3-iron has a higher probability of success.

Additionally, Pelz also discusses the statistical breakdown of shots made in a typical round of golf. For example, more shots are made within 100 yards to the hole than are off the tee box. I would also guess that more putts are made in a round than tee shots. Given this statistical breakdown of shots during a round, Pelz suggests that your practice time mimic the requirements of a round of golf.

This is where the notion of PROPER PRACTICE TIME comes into play. Knowing such statistics and abiding by the idea of practicing the shots most commonly made during a round, what would you suggest to be the breakdown of your practice time?

I think we can easily state that time on the practice range should be set up with most attention spent on putting and your short game. Putting and short game (100 yards to the hole) is where the majority of shots on a course are made, so why not spend more practice time on this part of the game? Most of us would probably agree and speaking with most any swing coach, they will say that more strokes are saved on and around the green then off the tee box.

But what do many of us do with our practice time? We spend maybe 5 minutes on the practice green, after hitting driver for 25 minutes, and maybe we will chip a couple at the end of our practice session. Knowing what you know, how beneficial will this type of practice routine help in the overall improvement of your golf game? Not very well at all.

If you follow the advice of Dave Pelz, and watch how touring pros practice. You will probably shift gears and practice putting, short game, sand game, and other facets of the game in a descending order.

Think about it and ask yourself how many shots would you have saved in your last round if you were a better putter, short game, or sand player? I am guessing at least one or two. One or two shots a round can be the difference between an 88 and 90, or an 81 and 79. Much different scores if you ask me. Don’t forget about your handicap and what 2 strokes saved a round can do to that number.

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by John E Kaminski

Ebay is probably the largest auction site on planet earth and as such is the number one place to buy and sell anything (almost).

I have bought and sold many items on Ebay and apart from one seller who was tardy in dispatching the goods, a set of golf clubs as it happens, I have never had a problem. The seller was waiting for his new clubs to arrive before he sent mine. A short e-mail hurried him up and the clubs duly arrived as described and everyone was happy.

This guide is written for golfers mainly but most of the rules apply to anything you buy online. Ebay is a fantastic place to buy golf clubs and as with most things a little common sense goes a long way. So to get started;

1) If something sounds to good to be true it probably is. Even on Ebay it is very unlikely you will buy a new set of Ping irons for . Fake or counterfeit clubs do exist and people do sell them on Ebay. This is through a desire to cheat or in some cases through simple ignorance. Someone who has bought a set of fake clubs may not know and when they do not perform as well as the buyer had hoped he may well sell them on, listing them as genuine because he thinks they are. Read the description, this is vital, many fake clubs are listed as ‘look alike’,'clone’ or ‘copy’. These are not genuine clubs, they won’t perform like genuine clubs and you will not be a happy bunny.

2) Read the sellers feedback. Feedback is there for you to study, do not click on ‘read feedback’, scan a couple of lines and decide all is well. Really look at what others have said about their experiences with the seller in question. Also you can check to see what other items the buyer has bought so this gives you an idea of whether the buyer is knowledgeable about the Ebay environment. If they have bought several pieces of golf equipment then they probably know a good deal from a bad one.

3) Still on the feedback page check to see if the comments are from buyers and sellers. Feedback manipulation can happen where a seller will buy a lot of cheap items to quickly raise their own feedback score. If the sellers feedback is mostly from other sellers be wary. Feedback from buyers is a whole lot more telling. To Ebays credit they do have systems in place to combat feedback manipulation but it is still wise to check yourself.

4) Does the seller have a ebaystore? This is an indication that they take their Ebay business seriously. A seller with a store will have a little door symbol by their name and will probably mention it at least once in the copy of their auction page. The problem with only dealing with store owners is that you can miss some of the best deals. Many golfers, like myself, will list the odd item so not have a huge feedback score. The opportunity here is that they don’t have business overheads to cover they just want to clear some space so their prices can be much lower and that is where you can get some brilliant deals.

5) Ask the seller questions. There is a link for asking the seller a question and the genuine person will respond to a query. You can ask anything about the item they are selling so if you want more information, just ask. A side note here; A common query from golfers is ‘What are the serial numbers on the clubs’.A reasonable question and one that should elicit an answer, however if the seller says he can’t/ won’t tell you because ‘ you might be a counterfeiter’ ,steer clear.Any counterfeit can go into any golf store and collect serial numbers with ease, an answer like this suggests the seller may be less than honest himself.

6) Check the photographs that accompany the auction. If it is a stock photo feel entitled to ask for a photo, or preferably two or three, of the actual item that is being sold. Again genuine sellers should not mind this although if he is busy it may take a little time.

7)Last but not least and actually the most important, pay by Paypal. The majority of sellers accept this form of payment and it does give you some protection. Some sellers would say it gives the buyers too much protection because believe it or not there are some very dodgy buyers out there who will claim for undelivered goods when they have in fact received them. A lot of problems reported in the media about fraudsters and people not getting what they have paid for have at the foundation a buyer who did not follow these simple rules and then paid cash or by money transfer. Don’t do it!

I have and still do buy a fair amount of my golf equipment from Ebay especially golf wedges which are my passion. If I don’t like it when it arrives I simply relist it and some times I even make a profit. I hope you can feel a little safer feeding your passion on Ebay.

Golf lessons with Denis Pugh – FAQ – Simple Bunker Shot
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by pirate johnny

Sometimes a golfer will slice a golf ball, which requires a quick fix. Usually a professional will adjust his grip to strengthen the position. Hook grips are used also.

Usually when a player slices a ball, it is a clear indication that there is a problem with his golf swing. The player must identify the problem to make some corrections.

If the problem is in the pivot it will cause hook balls, but also hurt the players back in time. The prime goal for a professional golfer is to hit the ball straight and hard. The player uses his control and power combined with the correct fundamentals.

The professional golf players often watch other players at the tournaments to improve their skill. They will imitate a better player. Professional players also practice regularly to improve their golf swing. Practice enables them to stay in control of their game.

Practicing driving ranges can improve your performance on a golf course. You can practice anywhere.

Often when the player focuses on practice the practice is for about ten minutes whereas the player concentrates on what he is doing, and then spends about 60-minutes whacking balls.

If the player is not hitting a large amount of balls, he will often take some breaks between a few shots. It is important for the player to stay focused on his actions.

When the player feels frustrated or tired, often the player will take a break. Professional players practice their golf swing to improve their skills.

by Robin Hutton

The golf swing setup is made out to be really complex by a lot of instructors.

It’s not.

Get behind your ball with club in hand and pick out 2 spots.

The first spot is your target (where you want the ball to land). Make sure that if you look away (which you will), that you can find it again. Don’t pick something 2 miles away. Pick a realistic place for your ball to land.

The second spot is 3 to 6 inches in front of your golf ball. Make sure that the ball and spot draw a line to your target. Pick a leaf, or (heaven forbid) put a ball marker in the right place! Don’t worry about it, you’re trying to get better, and are using the marker as a tool to help you learn to aim better. The USGA Golf Swing Thought Police are busy with someone else, just do it. Try it in the fairway too!

Once you pick the targets, don’t think about them anymore. You are lined up, no worries. Move up to the ball and stand upright with your hips parallel to the established target line.

Hold the club in your left hand (lefties please read this with a mirror). Extend arm and club (semi-straight elbow) towards the ground at about a 45 degree angle. Tilt at the waist until the club touches the ground. The ball should be in the middle of the face of the club. If the ball is somewhere else, then MOVE YOUR WHOLE BODY away or towards the ball. If you change anything else you will lose alignment or balance.

What you are trying to do is establish a routine and a position from which you can, via a repeatable golf swing, make solid contact with the golf ball.

Beware the belly trap. You’ve seen the professionals, and the 18 year olds, with their arms almost vertical as they set up. Well, they don’t have a belly, and most of us do. The belly (and loose clothing) can impede and deflect the golf swing. Look at the senior tour. They keep their elbows away from the belly trap. This also allows you to wear something warm on a cold day without getting your elbow trapped by clothing. You could call this setup perfect for fat man golf!

The real reason for this positioning routine is that every club in your bag is a different length. So, we are giving your body and mind a concrete reference of where the ball is and how long the club is. Swing mechanics and body mechanics require some information, and that’s what you are providing through this routine.

Now, keeping your waist angle, bring your right hand to the club while bending your RIGHT knee slightly. Take your grip making sure your club head is perpendicular to the target line. Don’t change your grip orientation if the club head is not perpendicular, instead rotate the club head and reset your grip.

Now you’re ready for the Golf Back Swing.

Rory Goff

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The game of golf is truly an individual sport. The basics are the same for everyone; however, due to the differences in people’s body types no two people will ever have the same golf swing. Each person will have to adapt their bodies to perform a proper golf swing in their own way. Taking the time to develop your own method of playing golf will greatly improve your enjoyment and success at the game. Practicing the basic fundamentals of the game until they are ingrained in your muscles will lead to confidence on the course, and that confidence will lead to success and enjoyment of the game.

One of the most basic steps that you can put into action and see an immediate improvement to your golf swing is to keep your head still and look straight at the ball. The position of your head should be straight in line with your spine, and your nose should be raised up a bit so that when you start to swing, your left shoulder fits under your chin. Many players tuck their heads into their chests to try and keep their heads still and look straight down at the golf ball. Unfortunately, they cannot perform a proper golf swing while in this position.

If you are one of the many that are having difficulty keeping your head straight and an eye on the ball try the following. The next time you approach the ball, assume the correct stance with your feet and knees in position but keep your head and back straight, bend forward slightly at the waist and look straight at the ball. If you try and take a swing in this position, your left shoulder will most likely hit your chin. While keeping your eyes on the ball, raise your head slowly until your left shoulder does not hit your chin. Make sure that your head does not move from side to side by keeping your eyes fixed on the ball. Slowly go through the backswing and downswing portions of your golf swing. Do not hit the ball and do the follow through. Practice this portion of your golf swing focusing on keeping your head straight and eyes on the ball.

Practice this exercise in your backyard for about 25 times in a row and then take a break and relax a bit, then start again. Make minor corrections to your head and body position as needed to keep your eyes straight on the ball and your left shoulder from hitting your chin. This exercise will “train” your body, and your muscles will “remember” the correct position you need to be in to perform the movement correctly. Think about any sports athlete, they train and train to place their bodies in the correct stance and position to properly execute the movements necessary to be successful in their particular sport. You are doing the same thing by “training” your body to keep your head straight and position itself so that you can successfully execute a proper golf swing.

Another basic step that can work greatly towards improving your golf swing is to relax. I know it is easier said then done, especially when you are getting ready to put all your power into drive with an audience of either your co-workers, or better still your friends who will not let you forget it if you mess up. However, relaxing your muscles will help you to maintain the proper balance that is important to a great golf swing. Regardless of the golf clubs you use, your balance is the primary foundation of your golf swing, and the way to achieve good balance is to practice. A good way to practice improving your balance is to assume the address position with your club, relax your body and try holding it there for about 30 seconds. Does it feel like you have more weight on one foot or the other? Is one part of your body more tense then another?

Keeping your head straight and maintaining good balance are just two basic parts of a great golf swing. The exercises given above are just two ways that you can start training now to improve your golf swing. You can work on either one separately, or combine them together into one exercise. Improving your golf swing begins and ends with you. Training the muscles of your body to properly perform specific movements takes time and practice. The effort spent improving your golf swing will pay off on the course. Through exercise and practice, you will be able to slip into the proper address position and perform an effortless, powerful golf swing and feel just as if you were sliding your hand into a warm soft glove.

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