www.alphagolfclubs.com Sports Science shows Jason Zuback breaking the world’s ball speed record at 204mph.

No matter what causes the need to improve your golf swing, be it balance, body position, power, rhythm or speed, there’s always a way to make it better and reap enjoyment and successes on the golf course. If you’re a beginner, forget about what other players might think or say about your swing; the best you can do here is to develop your skills over time until you are fully confident with your proficiency with the game

Common misconceptions

A common boo-boo many amateurs commit when driving the ball is to hit it as far as possible. Although this will be great at sending the ball flying across the course, however, they’re losing out on things that are far more essential: consistency and accuracy.

It’s easy for a beginner to get overwhelmed. More often than not, they get a wrong sense of where the power to drive the ball should come from. Don’t get fooled by the popular notion that golf can’t give you a proper body workout. The truth is, a golfer needs to utilize the major muscle groups in his arms, trunk and legs in order to give their swing power and consistency.

Improving is the key

There are many ways to get better each time with your golfing skills. The first step is finding out what you need to improve, especially with your swing. For this, you might need to seek advice from your friends who have had ample experience on the course. You can always choose to make the most out of swing lessons, instructional videos and store-bought golf aids. There are also a variety of golf magazines which you can purchase, wherein tips in achieving that perfect swing are provided by professional golfers themselves. However, you should bear in mind that without consistent and efficient practice, your golfing skills will continue the way it has been.

It is obvious that professional golfers enhance and improve their skills by regular practice. Although it’s true that practice makes perfect, then again, one should not stop practicing once perfection is achieved. Confidence on the course can either make or break you.

Ample practice

Golf workouts will greatly change the way you play the game. Through them, you’re able to condition your golf muscles, letting you attain straighter and self-assuring swings. A regimented workout can make you hit with your golf driver spot on each time; your brain will remember the correct number and series of muscular relaxation and contractions each time, what is known as muscle memory.

Putts and short chips are played without much movement of the muscles. Your lawn or living room is not too bad a place to practice like this. Merely putting and chipping is not all that there is to golf. You definitely need to practice at a driving range or indoor golf training facility to improve your full range of swing, especially those long range shots.

Your upper body, arms, lower back muscles and upper legs are impacted the most when playing golf. Each time you practice or before you head out on the course during a tournament, it’s best if you do warm ups. Do a set of stretching exercises followed by your practice swings, from putting, chipping to driving.

With constant golf swing practice, optimistic attitude and repeated affirmations, you’ll surely become a consistent and successful golfer.

It was way back in 1297 that the game of golf was first recorded. It was quite surprising to hear that it had evolved from the Netherlands. The game was played with a crude stick and a leather ball. Whoever hit the ball the furthest and in the least number of times was considered the winner.

The modern game of golf is however thought to have started in Scotland. The word golf may have been derived from the Dutch word “kolf” meaning stick or club. The first 18 hole golf course was also in Scotland. Also the very first written rules were said to have come from the Scots.

It wasn’t long before the game had spread to England. The oldest playing golf course in the world is the Old Links at Musselburgh in East Lothian. It was reputed that Mary Queen of Scots in fact played there in 1567.

It is not the case that golf courses have always been made up of 18 holes. Early golfers at St Andrews made a trench through the rough land playing eleven holes which were laid out end to end from the clubhouse to the far end of the property. Once reaching the end they would turn round and play their way back therefore making a total of 22 holes. It was decided that some of the holes were too short so they became integrated and ended up as 18 holes as we know it today.

Golfing equipment has developed a great deal over the years. It was in the 1930’s that the US Golf Association set a weight and size for standard golf balls. It was stated that the velocity of the golf ball should not exceed 250 feet per second and since this time it has continued to develop and make an improvement on the way the game is played.

Another major factor is of course the evolution of the golf club. The very early ones were made of wood. Hickory became the standard wood used for shafts and Persimmon was the choice of wood for the club head because of its hardness and strength.  As the golf ball developed and became much more durable it was then that the iron headed clubs were introduced to the game. It was in the 1890’s that steel shafts were developed .

In the early 1970’s shaft technology was introduced to the use of graphite shafts with lightweight titanium heads which allowed the head to be made much bigger.

The equipment has been developed massively with the help of modern day technology and now we have more golf equipment than you would have imagined possible. Our forbears were not lucky enough to have such things as golf trolleys and golf buggies to transport them round the course. However one thing that probably has stood the test of time is the drink at the 19th hole at the end of a round of golf!

Golf News November 8th, 2008

Stenson Takes 1-Stroke Lead At HSBC Champions

Henrik Stenson shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the HSBC Champions.

The Swede dropped a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th, putting him a shot ahead of four of the game’s top players: Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, defending champion Phil Mickelson and Australia’s Adam Scott.

Garcia nearly tied for the lead, but the Spaniard missed a four-foot eagle putt on the 18th. “Unfortunately, my putting stroke didn’t feel as good as it’s been feeling lately,” Garcia said. “Maybe it’s the jet-lag or something.”

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Golfer John Daly Drunk, Detained in N.C.

Professional golfer John Daly was placed into police custody early Sunday morning after passing out at a Hooters restaurant and refusing to be taken to the hospital, police said.

When police arrived at the restaurant, emergency medical personnel were treating Daly, who had apparently lost consciousness earlier. According to EMS, Daly refused to go to the hospital.

Police said Daly appeared extremely intoxicated and was uncooperative, repeatedly refusing to be escorted to the hospital. Hooters personnel eventual asked Daly to leave the restaurant.

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Marino joins Verplank in Disney lead

Steve Marino posted a six-under 66 on Saturday to join overnight leader Scott Verplank atop the leaderboard after the third round of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic.
Verplank, who bogeyed the 18th hole for the second consecutive day, shot a three-under 69 to match Marino at 19-under 197. The pair is two shots ahead of Davis Love III (64) and Scott Sterling (66).

The Magnolia Course hosts the final two rounds after players competed with amateurs the first two days. Action was split between the Palm Course and the Magnolia Course.

This is the final PGA Tour event of the season, and players are fighting to get into the top 125 on the money list to keep their PGA Tour cards for next season.

Golf Travel Package Video

If you are in the market for a great golf vacation check out a golf travel package available online or through your travel agent.  A golf travel package will get you guaranteed tee times and accommodations for some of highest rated courses in the United States as well as other great locations around the world.

Are you planning a golf travel package for your company?  There are many locations that offer a great golf travel package that can also include a meeting space or conference room. These packages may also include a corporate discount for the accommodations, greens fees, a rental van, as well as vouchers for meals and golf, maps and other extras.

Some of these corporate packages can be priced as low as $1500 per person to as little as $200.  The golf travel package prices would vary according to the number of individuals (the more the lower the per-person cost), number of nights, meals, location and probably would not include your airfare.

Plan a golf travel package that is unique for your corporate group.  With all the locations to choose from this would be easy.  You name the location and I can guarantee there is a golf resort nearby.

Consider a golf travel package to faraway destinations such as St. Andrews, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, Ireland, the Caribbean or France.  Stay in the U.S. and visit golf locations in Arizona, Colorado, California, Florida or Augusta.

Many of these destinations, both international and in the U.S., have beautiful golf resorts with spas and top rated restaurants on site.

The cost would vary of course on the dates but could include: Six nights first class accommodations, car & driver or rental van, full English breakfast daily, lunches at all three Royals as well as guaranteed tee times & paid green fees, and all the services the local resort offers.

You may want to stay in the U.S. and plan your golf travel package around one of the golf championships such as the Masters Tournament at Augusta, or the U.S. Open and watching the pros in action.

You could save a little money by planning your golf travel package during the off season.  As is true with anything else, tt is always important to plan ahead to insure your golf travel package will be the best planned and most enjoyable trip you have ever taken.

Find more information on golfing visit Winter Golf Vacations

Golf News November 7th 2008

Rain wipes out second day of HSBC Champions

Heavy rain wiped out all play Friday at the HSBC Champions tournament, forcing organizers to find a way to squeeze in 54 holes over Saturday and Sunday to complete the event.

Henrik Stenson led the damp first round Thursday with a 7-under 65. Four well-known players were a stroke behind: Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott, Anthony Kim and Phil Mickelson.

Officials for the tournament, which includes 10 of the world’s top 20 players, said they hoped to complete 72 holes by Sunday, but some play may be required on Monday to finish the tournament. Playing only 54 holes is also possible in the $5 million event at the Sheshan Golf Club.

“If we have any further delays … there is a strong possibility that play in the fourth round may need to be completed on Monday morning, and this has been provisionally agreed with all parties within the tournament,” said David Probyn, European Tour tournament director.

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PGA commits to tournament in New Orleans

The PGA Tour and Gov. Bobby Jindal on Wednesday announced that the Tour has committed to having a tournament presence in the New Orleans area through at least 2014.

That means the Fore!Kids Foundation, which last year celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization’s founding, will produce the PGA Tour’s annual springtime stop for at least six more years at TPC Louisiana.

The Fore!Kids Foundation, along with title sponsor Zurich Financial Services, has hosted the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the last four years.

The tournament, which had a $6.2 million purse last spring, annually turns over $1 million to children’s charities in south Louisiana and generates $25 million to $30 million a year for the New Orleans economy.

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Curt Hocker – golfing beyond the odds

For all the golfers out there, how many of you ever hit a hole in one? I don’t know anyone that has, and I know maybe 100 golfers who have played they game for a combined total of 1,000 years. The closest I personally have ever gotten was 48” on a 125yd par-3. I won a prize in a tournament for it too. But the best part was that 9 golfers were around at the time to see it.

Now I mention that one moment of golf competency for a reason. The odds of getting a hole in one are variable depending on where you look. But going with Golf Digest the following seems accurate:

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Due to the hazards that are associated with golfing, some incurring golf injuries along the way is to be expected. Amateurs learning golf, and their accompanying bodies, can save themselves a great deal of pain by investing the effort to learn how common golf injuries occur and avoiding those mistakes. Always try to make sure that you are in good physical shape before you play. The fitter you are, the less injuries you will suffer.

Because of the continuous walking and swinging needed in the activities of golf, it should come as no surprise that back injuries are a major source of pain for Beginners who learn to golf. The back muscles can be properly conditioned, just like any other muscles in the body. Our backs require loads of rest after a session of demanding golf activity. If you play consecutive games back to back, you may want to consider an occasional massage or even a chiropractic alignment.

In addition, one other pervasive golf injury is the tennis elbow, which is traditionally known as the golfer’s elbow. However, there are a few small differences between the tennis and golfer’s elbow. The outward side of the upper arm is the area affected by tennis elbow, while the inward area of the upper arm is the part which is affected by golfer’s elbow. While there is no specific way to prevent these injuries from taking place, they are generally caused by golfing more frequently all a sudden. Tennis and golfer’s elbow is likely to happen, for example, to one who all a sudden plays a prolonged session when they are used to playing a solitary game on a monthly basis.

Novices who learn golf, unsurprisingly, experience a fair deal of shoulder pain which is another common form of golf injury. As you can see, golfers put a fair deal of pressure on their shoulders each time they swing their clubs. When the body is weary and worn, it is easy to injury it. This is due to the fact that shoulders muscles are going to be in use frequently in the game, the best way to prevent injury to them is through warming them up but keeping your body in good shape is also helpful.

Carpal tunnel injury is one final common golf injury. For instance, you could suffer carpal tunnel injury when you are playing continuous games of golf in a row over a couple of months. The injury can be quite serious, but if it caught early, normally a brace will solve your problems. Others have far worse cases of this dreadful problem, losing all ability to control their hands and these unfortunate people generally are in need of surgery. The most irritating thing about carpal tunnel is the fact that it sometimes gives no warning signs until the signs of distress reach a near incapacitating level. A helpful tip is to get a wrist band if you begin feeling wrist discomfort.

The Art that is golf course construction is when the owners of a golf course entrusts the project of building and designing the perfect golf course for the location, only a person that has qualifications such as the USGA Green Section Construction Education Program is worthy of such trust.

This  information on golf course teaches all the skills necessary when it comes to planning and construction involved in golf course construction, with its main objective to provide students with the best quality instructions on what it takes to create golf courses that are agronomically superior.

Teaching tools

The classes are taught in a variety of formats including video, written as well as via the Internet. In addition, in order to gain greater insight into proper golf course construction you should attend additional educational seminars that are usually available to groups from the construction industry.

No matter if you are a golf course architect, a builder, superintendent, owner or a golfer the USGA study course can prove to be of immense help to you in order to achieve maximum success from your golf course construction efforts.

Apart from the formal golf course construction instructions you will also get to study relevant case studies including those on fumigation, bunker renovation and tee levelling.

There are also several general topics that are taught including learning how to build and also maintain a golf course as well as great information on golf . Also, you will learn about the origins of peat, and how to avoid the dangers involved when renovating golf courses. And if you relay want to get the most out of golf course construction you should be well versed in contemporary golf course architecture and what it takes to build the best greens.

There is a lot to learn when it comes to golf course construction and, among other things, you must also be aware of the USGA’s guidelines on green construction, history of USGA greens, quality control guidelines and also knows how to determine when it is time to do reconstruction.

There are also many new technologies that must be learned and understood to be incorporated into golf course construction including using lasers to construct the most outstanding tees. In addition, it is necessary to learn about the best techniques to use when it comes to building and remodeling sand bunkers and also be aware of which is the ideal sand for! bunkers.

When it comes down to it golf course design is a topic that has lead to many interesting innovations. There is now over thirty-two thousand golf courses spread out to the four corners of the world; designs are so wide and varied that they now represent there own mini revolution.

The Diamana shaft by Mitsubishi Rayon has been in a long standing tradition of premier golf shafts.  Mitsubishi, the manufacturer, has several models to choose from, Red Board, White Board, and Blue Board.

The choosy golfer has come to expect more from shafts and what they provide for their games.  Diamana is at the head of the class.  Mitsubishi has a highly intensive and performance-oriented prototyping and testing process.  Most notably, tour players get heavily involved in the pro-typing process.  All the major tours give input to Mitsubishi along the way allowing continually and evolving improvement for the shaft all the way to market.  This process is matched by few shaft makers, a win-win for all involved.

To add to the extensive production process, Mitsubishi has what they call Vertical Integration technology.  This technology allows them to combine any number of resins and fibers required to increase the performance of the shaft.  Mitsubishi puts a lot of stock in this technology and labels this their Material Difference.

Below, is a Mitsubishi Diamana model summary:

Diamana Red Board is a low torque, active tip, stiff mid-section and softer butt section.  The active tip helps “load” the the shaft during the swing transition and promote a higher launch, a great distance achiever.  The stiff mid section provides an element of control.  This shaft is designed for the average to above average player looking to increase distance without giving up control.

Diamana White Board is a low torque, stiff tip, stiff mid-section and softer butt section.  The White Board provides the penetrating ball flight similar to the Blue Board.  This shaft is definitely geared for the stronger player looking for good control and slightly higher ball flight than the Blue Board.  Higher launch and low spin is definitely the trend to optimize distance.  The White Board provides this balance.

Diamana Blue Board shaft is probably the most popular and scrutinized of the three.  The Blue Board is a low torque, stiff tip shaft that offers a very balanced feel for a variety of shots.  A very stable mid-section offers a less kick to enhance balance and responsiveness.  The penetrating ball flight is well suited for the advanced player with plenty of swing speed, looking for a combination of balance, feel and versatility.

Golfers that understand the importance of shaft technology also know the Mitsubishi Diamana delivers.  Are you ready for the power and control of a Diamana?  If you are looking to upgrade your shaft during the off season, you owe it to yourself to check out the Diamana Shaft.