Archive for November, 2009

golf – Thoughts on the Mental Game of Golf

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

Golf blasfemo

I was recently asked by a student whether they should purchase some info from the internet regarding the mental game of golf. There is an awful lot of material out there regarding various mental approaches to golf. There are even a number of well known sports psychologists out there who work with PGA pros to improve their mental skills.

However, not once have I ever heard of a top player, and I mean a top player such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, ever employ the services of a sports psychologist or mental coach. What a lot of these mental coaches do, however, is imply that they know the mental secrets of Nicklaus and Woods, as if the average golfer can apply them to their own game.

Whenever I have heard of any Tour player employ the services of a sports psychologist, that golfer is usually someone who is desperate to find the answers as to why they can’t win more golf tournaments. In my view, the answer to that question is simple: they are not mentally tough enough because they don’t have enough confidence in their own abilities.

Confidence in your abilities is the biggest key to being able to perform under pressure. However, confidence does not just appear in your game over night. Confidence only appears after a lot of hard work on your game, and from playing a lot of golf!

I just viewed a video of Lee Trevino. He said “….you won’t learn much from me…I never had a mental approach. I got my confidence from hard work.”

Trevino worked hard on his game, but that is not all. I’ve read stories of him before his days on the Tour showing up for a match with no money in his pocket and making lots of bets. You want to talk about pressure! Well, that is how you simulate the pressure of a golf tournament. You have to repeatedly put yourself in the position where something is on the line when you stand up to the tee on the 18th hole, or you are faced with that all important 6 foot putt. If you never do that with yourself, you will never learn how to deal with the pressure that just comes from playing in the 3rd flight in your club championship!

I find it very interesting that you find very few, if any, books written about the mental game by any top player. Sure, there are books that SPECULATE about how Tiger Woods’ developed his mental toughness, but he has never written about the topic himself. The same may be said about Jack Nicklaus who is arguably Tiger’s equal in terms of mental toughness.

Under Armour Golf is the latest brand to enter the golf industry. Known as the tough tight-fit football, basketball, and track gear manufacturer, they have introduced a new manner of clothing.

The design is simple but chic. Made from PolyArmour, a type of polyester, Under Armour Golf is an elastic, tight fitting wear enabling the golfer to move freely. The fabric stretches up to four ways delivering a better maneuver and performance.

Hunter Mahan shocked critiques when he went to tours with this material. And amazingly, he proved his point. Compared to yesterday’s icons, today’s golfers swing to 300 yards at average.

Though body fit, Under Armour Golf is surprisingly breathable. It has incorporated a stretch moisture management and UPF protection when under the sun. And of course it’s wrinkle free.

There is nothing worse than losing your balance while executing a crucial shot. Aside from these, other accessories are available for you to show off your unique fashion sense. There are golf hats that are important especially during sunny days. There are also sleeves which you can buy to protect your arms from getting sun burnt.

Fashion is an important part of the golf game, especially for ladies. That is why you should make sure to buy only the best in ladies golf fashion

Resource Author Francisco Rodriguez H.
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The Benefits of Watching a Golf Driving Tips Video

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

Sure there may be lots of different ways that you can go about getting research for your golf game, but one of the best things by far that you can do is watch a golf driving tips video. When you watch a golf driving tips video you are able to see practically firsthand just how you are supposed to be performing the move, and it is really going to be the next best thing other than having a golf teacher working right there with you.

There are some very easy ways that you can go about finding a golf driving tips video, and the Internet is probably the best resource of all when it comes to something like this. You probable already know that internet has plenty of golfing information and suggestions that you can get right at your fingertips, but there are many people who are unaware of the fact that they can watch live, streaming, free golf driving tips video online.

Especially if you are interested in learning golf driving tips for beginners, then you are going to want to start by watching some videos. For people who are just getting started in the sport of golf but who may not be able to afford a private golf instructor, this is definitely one of the best options that they have for learning.

With these videos you can find advice on every aspect of golf imaginable. All you have to do is go online to any search engine and then you want to type in the particular type of video that you are looking for and you will be presented with the results.

Tips In The Golf Driving Tips Video

There are a few tips in particular that you can find in a golf driving tips video, and which are going to be really helpful to you in your golf game. For one, you are always going to make sure that you are attentive on something at the end of your drive. So when you go to tee off, the best thing that you can do is pretend that you are standing on a railroad track that is completely straight and then picture a train at the very end.

Now you want to keep your focus on this “train” and keep it there while you make the drive. This way you are focused on something that is going to help keep your gaze stable and your drive straight which will dramatically help your golf game.

A Guide to Cape Town Golf Vacations

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

South Africa's Best Golf Courses - Arabella Golf Club

Cape Town is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and is South Africa’s most popular tourist destination. With many world class golf courses to choose from, golfers worldwide have discovered that Cape Town is a bit of a golfers paradise. Couple this with the numerous tourist attractions that Cape Town has to offer, and you have a golfing destination second to none. The favorable South African Rand exchange rate is also an attraction for tourists coming from Europe or North America. If one converts South African Rands to dollars or euros, the cost of accommodation, restaurants and golf green fees is just a fraction of the equivalent cost in the United States or Europe.

There is quite a selection of Cape Town golf courses as well as courses near to Cape Town to choose from. A total of 15 Cape Town golf courses are rated within the Golf Digest top 100 courses for South Africa. This includes the internationally renowned Arabella Golf Club and Resort which is one hour’s drive from Cape Town. This championship course is arguably the best course in the Western Cape, and with good reason. Arabella is situated right next to the Bot River lagoon in spectacular surroundings. This course has a selection of tee boxes to suit any level of golfer, and the course has hosted several South African opens. Recommended golf courses in the beautiful Cape Winelands area near Cape Town include the Jack Nicklaus designed Pearl Valley Golf Course, Erinvale Golf Club, De Zalze Golf Club, Stellenbosch Golf Club and Paarl Golf Club.

The Cape Town golf courses and the golf courses in the Cape Town area will provide any golfer with enough variety for a memorable golfing holiday. Cape Town golf courses that are recommended include Royal Cape Golf Club, Steenberg Golf Club, Atlantic Beach Golf Club, King David Golf Club and Clovelly Country Club, to mention just a few. To obtain further information about all the Western Cape and Cape Town golf courses go to the GolfLinx Western Cape golf guide.

Besides the Cape Town golf courses there are many other top tourist attractions in Cape Town. There is Table Mountain which towers over the city of Cape Town. At over 3000 feet high, it can be seen from anywhere in Cape Town. You can take a revolving cable car, or hike up to the summit of the mountain using numerous hiking trails. The viewing station at the top has a restaurant and a bar with spectacular views of the city and the Atlantic.

The wine farms in the Cape Winelands produce some of the finest wines in the world. Most of the wine estates in the region offer wine tasting and tours of their vineyards and cellars. There are numerous wine routes one can take through the region, and there are many guided bus tours which leave from Cape Town. Another popular attraction in Cape Town is its beaches. The numerous beaches in Cape Town have spectacular mountain backdrops as the scenery as well as soft, white sand.

The V&A Waterfront is Cape Town’s most visited attraction, and offers good shopping facilities, wining and dining establishments, various live shows and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Many boat trips can be booked from the V&A Waterfront, including a boat trip tour to the Robben Island where one can tour the maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. Besides the Cape Town golf courses, theses are just some of the other attractions that Cape Town has to offer.

To find available accommodation in Cape Town, take a look at the GolfLinx Western Cape accommodation directory.

Ideas For A Golf Holiday Abroad

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

Are you dreaming about a golf holiday?  Is your spouse not quite in tune with your idea?  May I suggest, when talking to your spouse, suggest a European destination.  Do not be surprised if Spain appeals to her.  After all, both Barcelona and Madrid are beautiful cities that offer great golf, as well as romance.   

Therefore, you and your spouse could find a charming villa to add a little intimacy to the trip.  Tuscany, Italy is also a great destination, one that not only offers incredible golf but also the chance to head to the countryside where you could visit several wineries and vineyards.

For a more exotic golf holiday, perhaps you might want to take a trip to beautiful Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam.  These destinations are without a doubt the most beautiful in the world, featuring lush tropical settings, along with the perfect climate.  You will also find people from these countries to be warm-hearted and hospitable, working hard to make visitors feel welcomed.  In addition to golf in an exotic location, these countries are also known for incredible cuisine and shopping ventures.

Without doubt, organizing golf holidays and tours that involve taking your wife or maybe a number of people will require good research and organization.  It also means looking at all the options for golf, even in staying in the United States.  However, you should not discount destinations such as Canada, the Caribbean, South America or Southeast Asia as options.

To get the best savings and ensure your trip is organized and safe, the golf tour specialist is a key component of the process.  With all the information you will be provided, the ideal golf holiday tour would be created.

Along with getting your golf holiday tour organized, working with a professional would include air travel, rental car, and accommodations.  These golf specialists are so good at what they do that they can also provide suggestions for restaurants, shopping, and sightseeing close to where you will be golfing to accommodate your wife’s desires as well. 

Having someone handle all the details of a trip such as this would allow you to relax and enjoy time on the green, playing the great sport of golf.

So, what are you waiting for?  Go online today or call your local travel agent and check out the options for planning one of the greatest golf holidays both you and your wife will enjoy!

A Golf Fitness Coach Equals Groovy Golf

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Golf fitness coach. Have you always considered one…and if so, what exactly were you looking for? There are many ‘general fitness’ trainers trying to pay for a piece of the golf fitness and training market that seems to be quickly gaining exposure equally on the television and in print thanks to Tiger, Vijay and Annika.

But the first thing you need to consider when looking into hiring a golf fitness coach or program is the trainers experience inside golf.

Yes…that is high on the list of requirements. Does he/she know golf? Do they know the biomechanics of the golf swing? How about muscle function during the golf swing?

An easy test is during the initial interview or if you’re researching it online is to either ask very golf specific swing method questions; or take a look at the information on the website. You’ll find out real quick if this person or program can assist your golf swing, game and health.

A golf fitness coach or program ought to incorporate strength, flexibility, endurance, body awareness, balance, stability and even a nutrition component.

It’s easy for a trainer to have a strength component…but is it specific to golf? A quick test. Take a look at any of the exercises. Are some of them on seated machines for instance? If they are…run! This is NOT a golf fitness coach and/or program. This is considered ‘regular fitness’.

At present stretching. There are dozens of stretches for each public. But take a look at a few of them. Do they even remotely look like they will improvement your golf swing?

Stretches involving trunk flexibility; lower back; hamstring; and even shoulders specific to the mechanics of the swing are what you decide. Common stretches are better than nothing, but will delay your results. You desire specific stretches.

Body awareness. Does any of the exercises resemble golf positions or phases of the swing? Do they look like you would be on your feet and in your golf posture? As stated over, if they are seated on machines, your body will learn nothing in regards to your golf swing.

Training your body specific to golf incorporates positions almost identical to what your body would be in during any part of the golf swing.

Stability. Training your body to boost stability inside your swing can pay for a little complex if you in fact prefer to see results. The swing happens at between 80-100 miles an hour. One of the biggest flaws of amateur golfers is moving in their golf swing.

Moving either laterally (sliding), vertically (up and done) or both. This is death to your golf swing. To improve your stability involves specific strength drills most trainers don’t even know about.

I may go on-and-on about the requirements of a golf fitness coach or program. It is critical you make the right decision. I have heard horror stories of golfers working with ‘so-called’ golf fitness experts and their game getting worse. With the proper research this won’t happen to you. So definitely consider a golf fitness coach.