Title:
Golf Strength ExercisesCan You Benefit From Them

Word Count:
608

Summary:
Golf strength exercises are a must for any golfer wanting to improve power output; decrease injury; improve accuracy and consistency, and slow the effects of the aging process for senior golfers.

Keywords:
golf,golf swing,golf trainer,golf workouts,golf exercises,golf fitness,golf lessons,golf instruction,golf tips

Article Body:
Golf strength exercises are a must for any golfer wanting to improve power output; decrease injury; improve accuracy and consistency, and slow the effects of the aging process for senior golfers.

There is more and more information coming out about golf strength exercises, but some of it is a bit misleading. What constitutes golf strength exercises? And what are the benefits of doing them once you recognize the difference between golf strength exercises and general fitness exercises?

First offa sport specific approach is needed. In analyzing the physical requirements of the golf swing, we know several things right up front.

It takes place on your feet. You are in a very dynamic and athletic body position (golf posture). You maintain this position while you swing a 3 foot long lever at up to 100 mph. There is a definite sequence of motion required. Maintaining balance, stability and coordination are a must.

Okaynow that weve briefly recognized just some of the physical requirements for an optimal golf swing, what would be the approach to your golf improvement program?

Since the golf swing takes place on your feet, you would definitely want to do many of your exercises on your feet. Doesnt that make sense? Since you are in a dynamic (golf posture) position, you would want to strengthen the muscles that help maintain this position.

Because golf is a turn back (rotation) and a turn through (rotation), you must focus on both core strength and flexibility from a rotational standpoint. Not doing so, will slow your golf improvement and not give you the results you were hoping for.

Balance is critical to maintain a consistent swing with optimal mechanics, therefore you would want to challenge and improve your body awareness. This entails doing exercises on unstable surfaces; isolating just one side of the body, then the other to balance it out; and using many different modes of resistance (for example bands, handweights, stability balls, medicine balls, and even body weight).

Along with balance is stability. They go hand-in-hand, and in order to improve stability, you need to work on strengthening your lower body, specific to the dynamic movement of the golf swing. This would be from a lateral (side-to-side) motion, to a definite rotational (turning) motion. Training your lower body to improve stability is a must to produce repeatable shots.

We cannot ignore golf-specific flexibility in regards to utilizing golf strength exercises. But the type of flexibility needed is once again, dynamic. I hate to keep using that word, but the golf swing, is not like other athletic movements. Being in golf posture and moving that club at up to 100 mph takes a tremendous amount of flexibility in the major joints of the body.

Stretches that are most effective are movement oriented stretches, not static (holding) stretches. Improving your range of motion, with motion stretches is the only way to go. Taking a look at body positions throughout the swing will give you a better idea of the types of movement stretches you need to do to maximize your bodys ability to produce consistent power.

None of the above can be attained sitting in a stationary machine in a gym. I hate to burst your bubble. Dont get me wrong. Any exercise is better than no exercise; but if you want to make better use of your time, youve got to participate in more golf strength exercises, than machine (general) exercise.

So next time a golfing buddy says he/she is training for golf; ask them what kind of exercises they are doing. Youll now know if they are truly golf strength exercises.

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Title:
Golf Tips On When To Chip Versus Putting

Word Count:
507

Summary:
Playing a chip shot from the fringe of a green versus putting through the fringe can be a little confusing for the average golfer. A lot of golfers choose to putt for the fear of not being able to control the distance of a chip shot around a green, and lets not talk about choking a chip shot. More often than not the confidence lies in the ability to putt the ball. When do you decide to chip instead of putt?

A quick review of some your options will help in the decision proc…

Keywords:
golf tips, chipping, putting, fringe, putting green, golf ball, golf,

Article Body:
Playing a chip shot from the fringe of a green versus putting through the fringe can be a little confusing for the average golfer. A lot of golfers choose to putt for the fear of not being able to control the distance of a chip shot around a green, and lets not talk about choking a chip shot. More often than not the confidence lies in the ability to putt the ball. When do you decide to chip instead of putt?

A quick review of some your options will help in the decision process. The circumstances have to be right to putt the ball. Here are some golf tips to consider and several situations to help your decision on choosing to chip the golf ball rather than electing to putt.

You may want to chip in these circumstances.

(1)Wet grass or thick grass.

The moisture or thickness of the grass is going to slow up the ball considerably, therefore weight of putt has to be determined to get it through the grass, and once you get it rolling on the green, the weight of putt it took you to get it through the fringe may not be enough or too much distance for the golf hole. In this circumstance there is too much weight control to consider.

(2)A very wet or slow green.

Chipping the golf ball will take a lot of moisture out of play, and a slow green forces you to swing harder with a putter to get the golf ball up to the hole, when the art of putting should call for a soft touch.

(3)Long grass and uphill to the hole.

You have to hit it harder to get it through the grass with a putter and up to the hole. Eliminate the chance of getting the golf ball caught up in the grass by chipping out and over.

(4)Over 7 feet of grass between golf ball and start of green, and hole is beyond center of green.

Chipping over the grass will eliminate slowing the golf ball up if you have a lot of green to work with.

(5)Hole is beyond center of green and more than 20 feet.

The odds are higher on getting the golf ball beyond 20 feet with a chipper versus a putter.

(6)Sprinkler system directly in front of line to golf hole or other obstacle that will affect the roll of golf ball.

Eliminate possible deflection of golf ball by chipping over the obstacle.

(7)Too much rolling terrain in the first 1/3 distance to the hole.

Taking most of the rolling green out of play by chipping over will give you a lot less rolling green to read unless you are very good at reading greens.

You have the ultimate decision on your ability to play any one of these golf club selections in these circumstances, but there is a good reason to think about these circumstances before you choose the club. I hope some of these golf tips will help in your decision process, and your goal to save strokes.

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Professional golfers on the tour today are approaching fitness as they never have before. PGA players look to fitness for many of its benefits. Fitness can improve their game through gains in strength, flexibility, and stamina. They can prevent or minimize injuries. Playing golf is not only a recreation for PGA players, it is their job. Their financial success depends on tournament results. Therefore, they must not only maintain a superb golf game, but a fit body as well.

There are few players on tour who have not have revamped their fitness training techniques or gotten a fresh start within the last few years. Many players have looked to the concept of functional fitness for golf. With functional fitness for golf, players can be assured that they are effectively targeting muscles and joints used in their golf swing. This type of exercise programming gives them an advantage over their competition.

How exactly do the PGA players train? First, their fitness level is determined. It is a common practice for golfers to create goals for their golf game. It is popular to also produce fitness goals. Second, a personalized exercise program is generated which involves weight training and endurance improvement. Third, the exercise program must be followed on a consistent basis to achieve maximum results. PGA players have a busy schedule and must make time to fit in their workouts.

Even if you are a recreational golfer you can still follow the trend of being functionally fit for golf. It would be wise to have your fitness level determined by a certified fitness professional. You might not workout at the same level as Tiger Woods, but you will see benefits in your body and golf game.

Many professional golfers are spending less time on the course and more time in the weight room. They have seen concrete results through longer drives and increased stamina. Top level golfers are always searching for ways to rise above their competition. Adding fitness to their training regimen provides the step up to the next level.

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You would normally hear novice golf players complain that golf is quite frustrating. This is because the game is rather difficult to play. Not because of the nature of the golf game itself but mainly because players need to achieve a certain level of mastery over the game.

Golf is such that one needs to work for it. One really has to toil for it and most of the time, get frustrated along the course. This is almost natural and majority of golf players runs through such circumstances. However, once the difficult part of training is done, the comforts of playing the game are incomparable.

Golf gives the satisfaction that may not be found in other sports. This often comes from personal accomplishments. The combination of intellectual and physical talent is necessary to achieve the certain degree of success. Remember that the ball is just there to wait for your hits. And you should know how to hit it accordingly. And next to knowing the how is your ability to actually execute the knowledge. And this combination of physical and intellectual capabilities are two things that make the golf game unique.

What most golf players miss out is the principle that golf games are actually a competition within themselves and not competition with other players. Given that this position is taken improvements may be gained through combining proper attitude towards the games and the ability to put on the best play.

Listed and discussed in the following paragraphs are some guidelines that may help you improve your golf games.

- Consider taking golf lessons with a professional golf instructor. This probably is the best investment you may have in playing golf. Having better foundations from a professional would help you raise to upgraded level without discovering everything by yourself. This may be quite expensive. If you would want to cut back on your expenses, you may try group sessions and other forms of golf instructions at your local facilities.

- Assure yourself of having completed the entire golf course instructions before going out into the field. It certainly would not be fun for you and the golfers who are watching you repeatedly missing and dribbling the golf ball in the same spot.

- At all rate, you must know the rules and the fundamentals of the game before attempting your first hits. Also try to catch the slang of the sports so you may have better connections with other players. Or else, you might find everything to be Greek in your ears. Like for instance, the term “you’re away” means you’re next.

- Drive yourself to learning. Hogan once quoted that he did not teach because nobody was willing to learn. What he meant by this is that golfers want to improve their golf games yet they are never willing to go through the pains and frustrations. Yes, the majority of players would say that they want great swings and lower scores but some way or another, none are willing to lift themselves from the level they are presently in. Most only borrow the temporary cure of the band-aid approach, which only hides the symptoms of the conditions away, instead of walking down the path of self-improvement.

- You need to develop decisive decision-making. This is often the pitfall for most golfers. This is comprised of the ability to decide on what golf club to use, what type of hit, and what form of set up is needed to make the shot.

In the end, you need not be a genius to play excellent golf. You only have to avoid doing the unnecessary and impractical things.

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Golf–it’s been called the ultimate travelers’ sport. More than 17 million people hit the links while they are away on vacation or a business trip. While Arizona, Hawaii and California are typically known for their expansive, breathtaking greens, there are many top-rated courses that can be found in the most unexpected of places.

According to travel expert and Travel Channel host Tracy Gallagher, “It’s all in the research. Before taking a trip-whether traveling on a family vacation, for a weekend getaway or on business–a great nearby golf course can easily be found with a little advance planning.”

So why not hit the links the next time you hit the road? Some of Gallagher’s favorite U.S. golfing destinations may surprise you.

• Albuquerque, N.M.-With spectacular scenery and desert climate, Albuquerque is a superb place to golf. In fact, over the past few years, developers have capitalized on the area’s beauty and, as a result, many new courses have opened throughout the city.

• Washington, D.C.-For a stroke of something different, try golfing in our nation’s capital. One wouldn’t think there would be room for a golf course in the immediate 68-square-mile area of Washington, D.C.; however, the proximity of some of the courses to the downtown area makes golfing an easy addition to a sightseeing trip. In fact, you can even see many of the historic monuments from several of the nearby fairways.

• Portland, Ore.-The Pacific Northwest certainly doesn’t have typical golfing weather, but the frequent showers give the golf greens a shade of emerald you won’t find anywhere else. If Oregon is on your travel itinerary, be sure to check out the courses in the Portland area.

Whether heading to the West Coast, Midwest, Deep South or the Eastern Seaboard, keep the following in mind as you plan your next trip:

• Check with local courses–many offer a special family package rate.

• For a more affordable golfing experience, check prices for playing at “twilight.”

• If you can’t get a tee time at one of the courses near your destination, many of the locations have driving ranges so you can at least practice your swing.

• Look for hotels, such as the Hilton Garden Inn, that offer a golf package. “Golf Amenity #18″ is the largest golf promotion available at Hilton Garden Inn hotels throughout North America, which offers guests whose stay includes a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday night, from June 1-Oct. 22, 2006, a complimentary green fees voucher (good for two people) that’s valid at more than 330 golf courses in the U.S. and Canada. Guests also receive a complimentary golf tips booklet, written by Golf Digest instructors, filled with pointers to improve your game. It’s a one-of-a-kind deal that travelers-both business and leisure-can take advantage of this summer.

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