23 minute read

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR GAME

from The Back Nine of Rancho Mirage 2020

from The Back Nine of Rancho Mirage 2020, page 28

SINGAPORE IS A GOLFER’S DELIGHT

Are you an aspiring golfer who doesn’t know where to start, or an intermediate golfer looking to improve your game? This article is written for golfers of all skill levels who want to know what techniques they can try to improve their shots and lower their scores. Read on to find out how.

In order to be good at golf, one of the basic things that you need to take care of is your grip. It is good to know how the ball will act in response to your grip. The tighter you hold the golf club, the more likely it is that the ball will go to the right. The looser the grip, the more likely that the ball will go to the left.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to make sure that you follow through with each shot that requires a full hit. This is helpful because you want to make the most out of your swing and stopping short may cause you to not hit the ball as far as intended.

Additionally, always be sure to try to find the reason why things go wrong if you have a bad day or bad shot. It is common to blame outside factors for your shortcomings, but you will not become a better golfer unless you can narrow down how to improve. Add power to your swing by using your body, not your arms. Lean in to power your shot. Turn with the ball on the downswing. This lets you use the power of all of the muscles in your body to get a better shot, instead of being limited to just your arm muscles.

Another helpful tip is to be sure that you are a positive role model on the course when it comes to sportsmanship. This will say a lot about your character and help to build up the relationship with whoever you are playing with. Never let competitiveness get in the way of friendship.

If you want to get rid of a hook the first thing you should do is check your grip. If your grip is too strong, your right hand is rotated too far over your left hand, you should practice moving your hand to a more neutral position. This will open your club face at contact and should prevent the hook.

We hope you enjoyed this article about improving your golfing game. Hopefully, no matter what your skill level, you’ve learned something here that can improve your game and your overall skill as a golfer. Apply these tips in your practice, play to see your scores drop and come out ahead of your opponents.

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It’s no secret that quality golf gear can be a bit on the pricey side. But if you’re really committed to learning how to play your best game, then properly fitting golf wholesale equipment is essential. Do you have to spend a fortune on all of the latest, most high tech, brand name clubs and gear? Of course not. But taking the time to see the club fitter at your local course or golf shop and getting the measurements for clubs that fit you best will go a long way towards improving your game from day one. Make the initial investment, and every other golf tip you follow will work out better for it.

Unless you’re giving yourself enough room to follow through, your swing won’t be nearly as effective. The secret to a proper stance lies in the width of your feet. You should be setting yourself up wide, with most of your weight on the right side of your body. Tilt your shoulders to the right, as well. As a point of reference, your head should be aligned slightly to the right of the top of the zipper on your pants. Once you’re in position, make sure you’re holding your driver far enough from your body to allow for a powerful swing. One of the biggest mistakes made by amateur women golfers is to attempt to scoop the ball into the air with the head of the club. In reality, this will cause your swing to slow down after impact. The definition of proper tempo is a buildup of speed. Harnessing that acceleration and learning to control your speed and power is the best way to drive your swing through the impact on the ball, bringing you to a full finish.

Like anything else, perfecting your golf game takes effort, commitment, and most of all time. The bottom line is this: if you don’t get out and play, you’ll never get any better. Putting in at least two rounds a month (even if it’s just 9 holes) will go a long way towards getting you where you want to be.

Consider joining a women’s league! Being around other enthusiastic beginners might be just the impetus you need to get out and put in the time on your game. Keep in mind that you’re still learning, so don’t stress your score too much to begin with. Instead, focus on developing your game and style, and experiment with different shots and clubs.

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2020 PGA

TOUR SCHEDULE

MAY 17 ♦ TAYLORMADE DRIVING RELIEF ♦ SEMINOLE GOLF CLUB ♦ JUNO BEACH, FL

MAY 24 ♦ CHAMPIONS FOR CHARITY ♦ MEDALIST GOLF CLUB ♦ HOBE SOUND, FL

MAY 28-31 ♦ ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC ♦ DETROIT GOLF CLUB ♦ DETROIT, MI

JUN 11-14 ♦ CHARLES SCHWAB CHALLENGE ♦ COLONIAL CC ♦ FORT WORTH, TX

JUN 18-21 ♦ RBC HERITAGE ♦ HARBOR TOWN GL ♦ HILTON HEAD, SC

JUN 25-28 ♦ TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ TPC RIVER HIGHLANDS ♦ CROMWELL, CT

JUL 2-5 ♦ ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC ♦ DETROIT GOLF CLUB ♦ DETROIT, MI

JUL 9-12 ♦ WORKDAY CHARITY OPEN ♦ MUIRFIELD GOLF CLUB ♦ DUBLIN, OH

JUL 16-19 ♦ THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT ♦ MUIFIELD VILLAGE GOLF CLUB ♦ DUBLIN, OH

JUL 23-26 ♦ 3M OPEN ♦ TPC TWIN CITIES ♦ BLAINE, MN

JUL 30-AUG 2 ♦ WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS ♦ TPC SOUTHWIND ♦ MEMPHIS, TN

JUL 30-AUG 2 ♦ BARRACUDA CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ TAHOE MT. ♦ CLUB TRUCKEE, CA

AUG 6-9 ♦ PGA CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ TPC HARDING PARK ♦ SAN FRANCISCO, CA

AUG 13-16 ♦ WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ SEDGEFIELD CC ♦ GREENSBORO, NC

AUG 20-23 ♦ THE NORTHERN TRUST ♦ TPC BOSTON ♦ NORTON, MA

AUG 27-30 ♦ BMW CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ OLYMPIA FIELDS CC (NORTH) ♦ OLYMPIA FIELDS, IL SEP 4-7 ♦ TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ EAST LAKE GC ♦ ATLANTA, GA

SEP 10-13 ♦ SAFEWAY OPEN ♦ SILVERADO RESORT AND SPA NORTH ♦ NAPA, CA

SEP 17-20 ♦ U.S. OPEN ♦ WINGED FOOT GC ♦ MAMARONECK, NY

SEP 25-27 ♦ RYDER CUP ♦ WHISTLING STRAITS ♦ KOHLER, WI

SEP 24-27 ♦ CORALES PUNTACANA RESORT & CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ CORALES GC ♦ PUNTA CANA, DOM

OCT 1-4 ♦ SANDERSON FARMS CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ CC OF JACKSON ♦ JACKSON, MS

OCT 8-11 ♦ SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN ♦ TPC SUMMERLIN ♦ LAS VEGAS, NV

OCT 15-18 ♦ THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES ♦ NINE BRIDGES ♦ JEJU ISLAND, KOR

OCT 22-25 ♦ ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ ACCORDIA GOLF NARASHINO CC ♦ CHIBA, JPN

OCT 29-NOV 1 ♦ WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS ♦ SHESHAN INTERNATIONAL GC ♦ SHANGHAI, CHN

OCT 29-NOV 1 ♦ BERMUDA CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ PORT ROYAL GC, ♦ SOUTHAMPTON, BER

NOV 5-8 ♦ HOUSTON OPEN ♦ MEMORIAL PARK GOLF COURSE ♦ HOUSTON, TX

NOV 12-15 ♦ MASTERS TOURNAMENT ♦ AUGUSTA NATIONAL GC ♦ AUGUSTA, GA

NOV 19-22 ♦ THE RSM CLASSIC ♦ SEA ISLAND RESORT (SEASIDE) ♦ SEA ISLAND, GA DEC 3-6 ♦ MAYAKOBA GOLF CLASSIC ♦ EL CAMALEON GC ♦ PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEX

DEC 3-6 ♦ HERO WORLD CHALLENGE ♦ ALBANY ♦ NEW PROVIDENCE, BAH DEC 11-13 ♦ QBE SHOOTOUT ♦ TIBURÓN GC ♦ NAPLES, FL

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Golf is not just about hitting a ball with the end of a stick. It is much more than that. Though professionals have always made golf seem like a relatively easy sport, it is in reality one of the hardest sports to play. It is all about hitting the ball correctly with the proper golf club. It is about controlling the swings to control the flight of the ball. Golf is more than what meets the eye. It is for this reason that golf instruction is quite needed for beginners and with this being said, here are a few tips that make up the basic golf instruction:

1. ADD MORE LOFT AT IMPACT TO MAKE THE BALL FLY FARTHER

To understand this golf instruction, it is important to know what loft is. Loft is actually the degree of the clubface at the set up. When the drives hit off the upper half of the face, the result would be a higher dynamic loft. Hitting the upper half also makes the shot spin less. Following these principles, when a player hits the center or the upper half of the clubface, this would result in a higher degree in initial launch and with less spins. This would then make the ball fly further and higher. It will also land with a stronger forward roll.

To be able to hit higher, it is suggested that the player tilt his shoulder during setup. The left shoulder should be lower than the right shoulder. This stance will make the player hit the ball on an increasing angle of attack. This particular golf instruction would be perfectly executed when repeatedly practiced several times

2. FOCUS IS THE BEST PLAY

Golf is not a lazy and distracted man’s sport. This golf instruction number two focuses on the being and concentration of the player. To make sure that all hits would give the desired effect, the person should have his full attention to his drive. Focus does not necessarily mean that a person should make tactics or create game plays. It only means that the player should be engaged in the game, relax when doing the swings, and think of the present. It would help when a golf player would imagine what his swings should result into and not what would happen after every strike.

3. BALANCE IS A PERSONAL PRACTICE FOR GOLF INSTRUCTION

Though there is a standard stance that instructors teach beginners, there is also a certain stance that gives the player the most comfort and best balance. A player should therefore try a number of stances during initial set up and see which of these stance resulted in the best drives. A recommended routine is to try swinging with the legs together first, then swing with only the right foot on the ground. The next few swings would then be done with the left foot on the ground. Finally, when the person has fixed his balance, he should try swinging with his eyes close. This short routine helps a person with his balance.

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2020 LPGA

TOUR SCHEDULE

JUN 19-21 ♦ WALMART NW ARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ PINNACLE C.C. ♦ ROGERS, AR

JUN 25-28 ♦ WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ ARONIMINK G.C., NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA

JUL 9-12 ♦ MARATHON LPGA CLASSIC ♦ HIGHLAND MEADOWS G.C., SYLVANIA, OH

JUL 15-18 ♦ DOW GREAT LAKES BAY INVITATIONAL ♦ MIDLAND C.C. ♦ MIDLAND, MI

JUL 31-AUG 2 ♦ SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC ♦ A DOLCE HOTEL (BAY COURSE) ♦ GALLOWAY, NJ

AUG 6-9 ♦ THE EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ EVIAN RESORT G.C. ♦ EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRA

AUG 13-16 ♦ LADIES SCOTTISH OPEN ♦ THE RENAISSANCE CLUB, NORTH BERWICK, SCOT

AUG 20-23 ♦ AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN ♦ ROYAL TROON G.C. ♦ TROON, SCOT

AUG 27-30 ♦ UL INTERNATIONAL CROWN

SEP 3-6 ♦ CP WOMEN’S OPEN ♦ SHAUGHNESSY G. AND C.C. ♦ BRITISH COLUMBIA, CAN

SEP 10-13 ♦ ANA INSPIRATION ♦ MISSION HILLS C.C. ♦ RANCHO MIRAGE, CA

SEP 17-20 ♦ CAMBIA PORTLAND CLASSIC ♦ COLUMBIA EDGEWATER C.C. ♦ PORTLAND, OR

SEP 24-27 ♦ KIA CLASSIC ♦ AVIARA G.C ♦ CARLSBAD, CA

OCT 1-4 ♦ VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CLASSIC ♦ OLD AMERICAN GC ♦ THE COLONY, TX

OCT 15-18 ♦ BUICK LPGA SHANGHAI ♦ QIZHONG GARDEN GC ♦ SHANGHAI, CHINA

OCT 22-25 ♦ BMW LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ LPGA INTL BUSAN ♦ BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA

OCT 29-NOV 1 ♦ SWINGING SKIRTS LPGA ♦ MIRAMAR GOLF & CC ♦ NEW TAIPEI CITY, TAI.

NOV 6-8 ♦ TOTO JAPAN CLASSIC ♦ TAIHEYO CLUB (MINORI COURSE) ♦ BARAKI, JAPAN

NOV 19-22 ♦ CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP ♦ TIBURON GC ♦ NAPLES, FL

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Have you been trying to improve your golf swing but to no avail? Just like what most of the greatest players have said, “A golf swing is like a fingerprint, no two are alike.”

If you have been watching some of the world’s best players and if you have read the biographies or golf instruction books of some of golf’s legendary players and instructors, you will notice each has a style of their own.

One of the best players to have ever played the game was Ben Hogan. Having won more than 60 professional tournaments in his career including all of golf’s four major tournaments, you would not believe he had a golf swing problem which is known to golfers as “hooking.”

Hooking is when the golf ball tends to veer towards the left side of the fairway. Hogan, who is actually left handed as he has stated in one of his books, played with his right hand and used a strong grip. This was theorized as the reason for his hooking the ball.

To solve this problem, Hogan developed a swing which would be known as “The Secret.” Revealed in several magazines some years back and which were based on observations done while Hogan was actually playing, the ball striker’s swing consisted of using a slightly weaker grip, opening the clubface during the takeaway using the wrists and then using his right knee as a trigger to initiate the downswing. This swing is now known the world over as the “Hogan Fade.” The golfer who instilled the importance of practicing has written two golf instruction books, Power Golf and Five Lessons, the legendary golfer talks about the basic essentials of having a consistent and good golf swing. In the book the golfer also known as “The Hawk” explains the importance of how to hold the club the right way, how to address the ball correctly and how to swing the club from the takeaway to the follow through. You can also now catch his golf instruction online, by typing “Ben Hogan’s Timeless Tips” or “Ben Hogan Swing Keys.”

Golfing equipment also plays an important role in playing good golf. Over the years a lot of modifications have been developed in terms of golf clubs, putters, golf balls and other golf training aids.

Unlike before where golfers could only check their swing if they took a video of themselves hitting the ball, advance technology has made it possible to analyze a golfer’s swing inch by inch. In this way, a golfer’s bad habit could be easily corrected by providing the appropriate golf training aids and golfing equipment.

From putting green to golf swing trainers to practice nets for the garage and a whole lot more to choose from, you can be sure your golf game would improve tremendously if you keep using these devices consistently.

Take it from Ben Hogan the golfer who has been tagged by his peers as the guy who gave the word “practice” a whole new meaning since he was known to have trained the most among all of them during their time.

Gone are the days when golf clubs used to be sticks and pebbles were used as golf balls! The first ever sale of a set of golf clubs is credited to James IV. Formalwear while playing golf also became a trend in the early 1900s, with Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones leading the pack.

In regards with their golfing equipment, the wooden clubs were made of hickory wood and were handmade. Iron clubs were heavier then but evolved into steel shafts and later shifted to graphite. Golf balls started out with rubber which flew quite a distance before the dimpled ball was introduced by William Taylor.

In this time of digital technology, modifications on golfing equipment could easily be improved. Now clubs could be tested first and players could check out a review on a certain set of clubs before deciding if they would get one.

Descriptions of the clubs, how they react and how they rate compared to other clubs could assist a player in making the right choices.

Golf training aids are also great tools to use for the busy handicapper. Usually the devices that help improve one’s swing are very portable and easy to carry since they are also meant to be used outside the golf course. This gives a golfer more time to practice even when he is at the comfort of his own home.

Video analysis gadgets are very much in the market nowadays too. The latest software for swing analysis that can be used on tablets and portable devices that can measure the speed of the ball is readily available.

Books and DVDs on the game of golf are also part of golf training aids which could help both beginners and low handicappers alike. Swing fixes, experiences of professional golfers, golf games for both junior and adult golfers make up this catalogue of books about golf.

sometimes even wearing the company’s logo while playing a tournament. Some of them have even made a golf instruction video on their field of expertise in the game.

Johnny Miller, winner of two major tournaments and 25 PGA Tour events, together with Top 100 teachers Brady Riggs, Brian Mogg, Rick Grayson, Mitchell Spearman and Kellie Stenzell are just a few of the professionals who have done golf instruction online.

Using the hips for power, eliminating a slice, how to make a sandy birdie, different types of shots and how to address the ball correctly are just a few examples of the tips you can learn.

Updates and the latest golf news could also be found easily, especially if someone is looking for a golf instruction online. Even junior golfers could simply find the most suitable golfing equipment, golf training aids and golf instruction online.

Learning a thing or two from these mediums is not a bad thing if it means shaving off a few strokes on the scorecard. Even though golf has evolved over the years, its main concept of hitting a ball with a long stick remained the same.

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In this article I will be discussing how to improve your short game all the way from your iron shot to putting on the green. These tips will ensure you play to the best of your ability out there on the course.

IRON SHOTS

The first step in producing a successful iron shot is knowing what club to choose. Each iron club is used pertaining to the distance the golfer is from the hole. Depending on each player, you must match your personal distance with each club with your distance from the hole. For example, I personally hit my 7 Iron around from 150-170 yards, so if I am within that range on the course, that is my club of choice. The next step in a successful iron shot is to line up your stance. The higher the number on the club, the more you want to place the ball even with the back half of your stance in order to provide loft to the shot. And vice versa for lower numbers; place the ball closer to the front of your stance. Since each club will provide you with a matched distance, you want to make sure you take a full swing no matter what club you have. Many beginner golfers make the mistake of shorting their swing if they are closer to the pin. However, if you have chosen the right club, there will be no need to do that.

CHIPPING

If you are not an exceptional golfer, chances are you have not yet reached the green on your second shot. Chances are that your second shot ended up in the rough near the putting green. If this is the case, chipping is probably your best option for your third shot. There are multiple clubs with wchich golfers choose to chip their balls.The most common type of club is a pitching wedge or 52 Degree Wedge. The 52 Degree Wedge provides a bit more loft to your shot, but both clubs are very similar. Depending of your distance from the green, a chip shot should be swung light and with proper follow-through. Many golfers use punch chip shots, which are sometimes effective, but are inconsistent at times. You truly want to swing through the ball and finish through to give your chip shot maximum loft. Chipping is a very delicate type of golf shot because it is all dependent on the golfers touch. You don’t want to swing too hard or to light, in the end your speed of the club is up to the golfers own perspective.

Another type of chip shot commonly used in golf is the runner. The runner is a chip shot (usually used with the 8 Iron) where you have to bounce the ball far across the green. This club ensures that you won’t loft the ball that high, allowing the ball to run across the green toward the hole. This shot is for more experienced golfers, but can be very useful in certain situations out on the course.

PUTTING

Probably the most frustrating part of the game of golf, putting can turn your game around for better or worse. The first part of ensuring a good putter shot is to read your ball’s lie. This means read the greens angles and elevation to predict the path of the shot you are about to take. This is seen a lot when you watch pro golfers. They usually stand behind their ball to get a key for the shot. The next part of a great putter shot is the swing itself. Many beginner golfers bring their putter head back to far in their shot, causing them to lose the path that they lined up. The correct shot is to bring the head back slightly, then push your club through the ball in the path you want it to travel.

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GOLF BALL CHOICES

Choosing the right type of golf balls can make the difference between a bad game and a great game. And if you think that all you need to do is use the same type of balls that Tiger Woods uses, you may be in for a surprise. When it comes to golf balls you need to choose the right types of balls for you. When you choose the wrong golf ball you may be adding a handicap to your game that you can avoid by playing with the right balls.

There are three different styles of golf balls that you can choose from:

• 2-piece Balls • 3-piece Balls • High Performance Balls

If you want to improve your distance shots you’ll want to use a 2-piece golf ball. If, on the other hand, you’re focusing on accuracy, you’ll want to use either a 3-piece or a high performance golf ball.

If you’re a beginner, you’ll find that 2-piece golf balls are perfect since they’re less expensive than other golf balls. This is one way that you can save a bit of money while you learn all about the sport of golf and how to play the game. 2-piece golf balls are also a good choice if you’re slow a swinger since the rubber core of the inner ball is quite large, allowing for a faster speed.

For those golfers who have an accuracy that is inconsistent a 2-piece ball is the better choice. This is because a 3-piece ball won’t forgive all those inaccurate hits that you make in one game. And if you’re an inaccurate hitter, you won’t want to use high performance balls since these golf balls are meant for professional golfers who have mastered their game of golf.

Golf balls are something that you’ll want to pay attention to as you learn the game of golf and become more proficient. Having the right golf balls can improve your score and put you into the competitive playing field.

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