Avoiding the Golf Traps

f_21311444012_2410.jpgIt’s every golfer’s worst-case scenario — You’re golfing great, you’ve got a perfect swing, the perfect stance, and you were able to get rid of that slice that’s been on your back. NO matter how well everything goes, even the best golfer can find himself (or herself) occasionally stuck in a sand trap, stuck in the grass or trapped behind a giant tree on the golf course. Unfortunately, the traps are what make the game interesting. Without them, the game would probably become boring for even the most devoted golfer. Obstructions help to make golf a more interesting and challenging game, and you’ll learn to appreciate the traps when you find the best ways to get out of them.

The odds that your golf ball will roll to a stop right behind a tree are slim, but it does happen. There are ways out of this situation. You could chop down the tree, or drill a hole in the tree large enough to hit your ball through, but that’s probably not going to make the maintenance crew of the golf course very happy.

A lot of golfers just sacrifice one putt so that they can place the golf ball in a more favorable position. How well this works depends on your ability as a golfer, and what you’re willing to risk on one play. If there is another tree close by, you can try a ricochet shot, but it’s not very reliable. You can’t judge where the ball will go once it hits the rough bark of the tree.

A good solution is to practice a curve ball before you get into this situation, so that you’ll know what to do when the time comes.

Sand is a whole other problem completely on the golf course. Many golfers opt for the “whack and see- technique. To do this, pull a sand wedge from your golf bag, hit the general vicinity of the ball, then watch the sand to see if your golf ball takes flight as well.

Consistency is the crucial to your golfing game on the whole, and getting out of a sand trap is not exclusive to this. It is hard to control a golf ball in the sand. Golf balls don’t really roll in sand and difficult to control a putt from a sand trap. In addition, you are probably going to be dealing with an upward slope of the trap before you’re out on the course again. Therefore, the only really dependable way to get out of a sand trap is to use the wedge and try to get enough lift on the ball to clear the sand.

Make sure that you choose your wedge cautiously. Keep in mind that you want enough lift to clear the sand. However, less lift is usually easier to manage.

No matter what obstacle you’re facing on the golf course, having good control of the ball, choosing the right club for the job, and setting up your shot just right are the ways that you will be able to get out of those sticky situations on the golf course.

Golf Swing Improvement Secrets To Stop The Insanity

f_01310649416_f5e74c59.jpgGolf swing improvement can be elusive for most golfers. I have read many articles and studies on the huge number of golfers quitting the game every year. They are tired of putting in the time, buying equipment, taking lessons, and purchasing every golf training aid on the market only to see no golf swing improvement.

You can’t fault a frustrated golfer who experiences the above and quits. Life is too short to spend 5 hours on a golf course and not enjoy it.

Let’s discuss why this happens!

First off, golf swing improvement should be approached from the inside-out. That means starting with your body. If your body has physical restrictions, you won’t ever be able to make a repeatable golf swing with any power or accuracy. It’s a physical impossibility.

You can try-and-try, but it won’t happen!

You body dictates your golfing ability. Like in any sport, raw talent is hard to come by and is only for a small percent of the athletic community.

Do you feel like you should be a better golfer? How many times have you walked off the course in disgust…knowing you should have played much better? This is a common occurrence and one that can be fixed quickly.

The right approach to golf swing improvement is one that looks at your current golf swing faults and the ‘physical’ reason behind it. I see this all the time. A golfer takes a lesson; the instructor tells the golfer what he needs to do; and the golfer can’t do it!

What a frustrating situation!

For every swing fault, there is an underlying ‘physical’ reason why it keeps happening.

Let me give you one of many examples to substantiate the above statement.

You are a slicer. That means you come “over-the-top- with your upper body. Do you want to know one of the many reasons why this happens?

Here goes!

You have poor core strength and flexibility.

If your body cannot initiate the downswing with the lower body, especially the hips rotating; it is because your core muscles are sending a message to your brain saying, “we can’t do this, so figure out another way (compensation) to get me back to the ball.-

Now the upside to this scenario.

You work on your core rotational strength and flexibility. You don’t hit more balls. You don’t add more swing thoughts to your swing. You don’t do drills at the range til your hands are bleeding. You just improve your core. That’s it!

The result?

You are able to initiate the downswing with your lower body, create and retain stored energy in your core area, and you not only stop your slice, but you add 30 yards to your drives!

That’s golf swing improvement the right way!

Again, this is just one example of a golf swing fault; and the cause and solution to eliminating it forever.

Now golf is fun again!

So when you think of playing better golf; take a new approach to your golf swing improvement.

Keep The Yellow Golf Shirt In The Bag

f_11311022292_presentation1.jpgAnother beautiful day, out on the golf course, and I’m feeling like a million bucks wearing my bright yellow golf shirt, and the girl I want to meet, is just a golf hole ahead of me.

There she goes, off the tee box. Right down the middle of the fairway on number 2 hole. The last time I was out here, she faded it right into the bunker, just next to my favorite ball placement. I missed my golden opportunity to meet her at that time. I pull hooked the ball on the opposite side of the fairway.

Maybe we’ll meet a couple holes down. She has to come back down number 3, and I should be teeing off number 2-tee box at the same time. Maybe I’ll impress her with a beautiful drive, straight and long down the fairway. Worst-case scenario will be another long hook out into her fairway this time. I wonder if she’ll stop and watch me fly the trees, hitting back to the green?

Here we go. I see that her drive on number 3 landed left side of the fairway. I better tee this puppy up and let it fly. If I’m going to impress her, now is the time. With this bright yellow golf shirt on, there is no way that she will not notice me. I’m sure I’ll stand out. This is my golden opportunity.

Great golf shot happening here! It is flying way out of sight! I see her looking over as the ball lands and rolls. Wow! I think I did it! All I have to do is proudly walk down the middle of the fairway. I feel like a pro with this yellow golf shirt on, taking the turn at the Masters. Now all I have to do is keep a straight face, as if it’s routine, and walk down the left side of the middle. That would bring me a little closer, without having to yell, to say hi. I better figure out quickly what to say, just in case she compliments me on a nice golf shot.

Oh great! I hit it so far. The foursome ahead of me is yelling and waving. I completely forgot to wait until they were out of reach. How embarrassing is this going to be? I am the only golfer in my group out on the fairway. All my golf buddies are on the other side of the fairway. How do you try to impress someone with a great golf shot, only to find out, the shot almost hit someone? This is not good. What’s even worse? I think her parents are walking my way. Great! Let’s meet the parents!

Perfect timing! My buddies need a hand on the other side of the fairway to look for a lost ball! It’s a good thing I carry an extra shirt, just in case it rains. I think I should change this bright yellow golf shirt on the opposite side of the fairway. First impression is going to have to wait.