While you can change your golf swing plane to make it more effective, the question of the day is: how do you go about doing that? Here are some crucial facts about these golf swings.
1. Upright swings typically produce more accuracy.
Do you want to hit the ball a thousand yards away, or hit it closer to the hole? You can accomplish both goals by changing up your golf swing plane. Use upright swings and a high-hand grip to make shots with more precision. Here's what happens. The swings' path will stay longer on the ball's target line. For this shot, your hands should reach high into the air at the backswing's apex.
2. Flat swings typically produce more power.
Meanwhile, flat swings concentrate more on the motion of the golfer's body. This allows the club to hit the ball at a faster speed. But there's a drawback. The club's face moves along the ball's target line for a shorter timeframe. That means that these shots are more ideal for power than for precision. It's crucial that your arms and shoulders swing in union during the takeaway. If you have six-pack abdominal muscles, then flat swings would probably be your best option.
3. You can change your swinging planes.
When making adjustments to your swinging plane, the left and right sides of the swinging should work in tandem. For example, when doing flat swings the right arm should stay close to the body throughout the backswing. Then the left arm should be near the body as you follow-through. On the other hand, when performing upright swings, the right arm should be high during backswing, and the left hand high during the follow-through.
When searching for a program to improve your golf swing plane be certain to search for one that includes golfing stretching. Such stretching can boost your flexibility and perfect the form of your golfing strokes.
Rob Jeffries is a golf swing plane specialist and the director of the popular website MyGolfGameNow.Com. Click this link to get more no-nonsense tips and honest advice at his site: Improve Golf Game
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Jeffries
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Philippines Golfing - The Top Ten Courses by Will Irwin
Traveling to the Philippines, or planning to live or retire in the Philippines, and wondering what golfing is like in the Philippines? Do you tend to think that great golf courses would be the last thing you would find in the Philippines? Well, think again, because there are incredible golf courses in the Philippines. Some of the best courses in Asia are found in the Philippines. Below I have listed by geographic location what I consider to be the top ten courses in the Philippines.
Manila
1. Wack Wack Golf & Country Club
This course is world famous. Located on Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City ,it has two 18 - hole championship courses. Until the early 1990's, this club was the official home of the Philippines Open. Green fees are $100 weekdays and $140 weekends. This is a private club, so guests have to be accompanied by a member in order to play.
2. Canlubang Golf & Country Club
This is the largest club in the Philippines - a whopping 36 holes of golf! The fairways are wide, undulating and full of coconut trees. This gives it a very Asian and tropical feel. Additionally, it is full of all the features of a great course, like man-made lakes, ravines, and huge sandtraps. It is located 1 hour south of Manila in Canlubang, Laguna area. Though a private course, tourists can play on weekdays.
3. Club Intramuros
Located on Bonifacio Drive at the corner of Aduana Street in Intramuros, Manila, this is a unique course in that it is short (par 66, with a length of just over 4,000 yards), but loaded with plenty of hazards and challenges - water hazards, close out of bounds, and lots of sand. This is where you can really improve your short game. A round can be completed in a little over two hours. This course is open to the public, but reservations need to be made at least two days in advance. Green fees are $29 weekdays or weekends.
4. Villamor Golf Club
This course is located at the Villamor Golf Course in Pasay City in manila. It is very flat, but nevertheless very challenging due to trees and numerous water hazards. All the fairways are lined with beautiful mature trees. It has hosted the Philippine Masters tournament a number of times. Green fees are $25 weekdays and $39 weekends. It is a public course.
Cebu City
5. Alta Vista Golf & Country Club
Alta Vista is a short, but challenging mountainous course, with plenty of rolling terrain and narrow fairways. It follows the natural terrain and beauty of a breathtaking hilltop location. As you play, you enjoy panoramic views of Mactan Island, Bohol and the Cebu Straits. It has become a hot location for golf course residential property, and many Expats have purchased homes along the fairways. It is open to tourists.
6. Cebu Country Club
This is an old and traditional course, with the first facilities built in 1948 on a rural farm, near what was then a quiet country town (Cebu City). Members here are proud of their course, as it has been continuously improved since it was created, and has a reputation as a world-class course. It has all you seek in a great course - winding fairways, trees everywhere, and plenty of white sand traps furnished with coral rock. Green fees are $42 weekdays and $73 weekends. I used to be a member of this club and I found its facilities to superior and complete. It is a private club, but it is open to guest and tourists.
Davao City
7. Apo Golf & Country Club
This course is famous for accommodating players of all skill levels, as most of the greens are huge and flat. The grounds are kept in meticulous condition, and with its vast coconut plantation, abundant hardwoods and tropical landscape it is an awesome experience even for non-golfers to see. This course also is open to tourists, but reservations are required.
8. Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club
I am currently a member of this club. This course has virtually everything, and players come fly in from all over the Philippines to have a go at this course. It has redefined the face of golf in Asia through its environmentally sensitive design and management. Designed by Andy Dye, it offers one of the most stunning golf course sites in the world.
It is a private club, but tourists are welcome to play provided reservations are made well in advance.
Baguio
9. Camp John Hay Golf Club
This course is situated at 5,000 ft elevation in the former US Air Force base. It has beautifully manicured fairways and large, lush, lightning fast greens. There are numerous pine trees and hilly terrain.. It was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is arguably one of the best in the Philippines. It is no longer a public course, but resorts in the area usually know of a member you can tag along with for a round. Green fees are around $50.
Boracay
10. Fairways and Bluewater Golf & Country Club
People usually go to Boracay for its world famous white sand beaches. However, the Bluewater golf course is one of the best kept secrets of Boracay. It was designed by Graham Marsh, and offers a challenging and different experience with every hold. Whereas the front nine is relatively flat with lots of hazards, the back nine is hilly with less hazards. Perhaps not as famous or up to the standards of the above 9 courses, it rates in the top ten due to its location on the beautiful resort island of Boracay, where one can play golf in the day and party on the beach at night. It is open to the public.
Do you want more in depth information about golf and other sports activities available to Expats living in the Philippines? I have just completed my new book on "Retirement Living in the Philippines", which provides a comprehensive study of opportunities for fun, adventure, love and great friendships living in the Philippines.
Download it at http://www.retirementlivinginthephilippines.com
Will Irwin is a powerful entrepreneur and business and life coach. He has started many online and offline businesses both in the USA and in the Philippines, residing in both Hawaii and the Philippines
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Irwin
Manila
1. Wack Wack Golf & Country Club
This course is world famous. Located on Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City ,it has two 18 - hole championship courses. Until the early 1990's, this club was the official home of the Philippines Open. Green fees are $100 weekdays and $140 weekends. This is a private club, so guests have to be accompanied by a member in order to play.
2. Canlubang Golf & Country Club
This is the largest club in the Philippines - a whopping 36 holes of golf! The fairways are wide, undulating and full of coconut trees. This gives it a very Asian and tropical feel. Additionally, it is full of all the features of a great course, like man-made lakes, ravines, and huge sandtraps. It is located 1 hour south of Manila in Canlubang, Laguna area. Though a private course, tourists can play on weekdays.
3. Club Intramuros
Located on Bonifacio Drive at the corner of Aduana Street in Intramuros, Manila, this is a unique course in that it is short (par 66, with a length of just over 4,000 yards), but loaded with plenty of hazards and challenges - water hazards, close out of bounds, and lots of sand. This is where you can really improve your short game. A round can be completed in a little over two hours. This course is open to the public, but reservations need to be made at least two days in advance. Green fees are $29 weekdays or weekends.
4. Villamor Golf Club
This course is located at the Villamor Golf Course in Pasay City in manila. It is very flat, but nevertheless very challenging due to trees and numerous water hazards. All the fairways are lined with beautiful mature trees. It has hosted the Philippine Masters tournament a number of times. Green fees are $25 weekdays and $39 weekends. It is a public course.
Cebu City
5. Alta Vista Golf & Country Club
Alta Vista is a short, but challenging mountainous course, with plenty of rolling terrain and narrow fairways. It follows the natural terrain and beauty of a breathtaking hilltop location. As you play, you enjoy panoramic views of Mactan Island, Bohol and the Cebu Straits. It has become a hot location for golf course residential property, and many Expats have purchased homes along the fairways. It is open to tourists.
6. Cebu Country Club
This is an old and traditional course, with the first facilities built in 1948 on a rural farm, near what was then a quiet country town (Cebu City). Members here are proud of their course, as it has been continuously improved since it was created, and has a reputation as a world-class course. It has all you seek in a great course - winding fairways, trees everywhere, and plenty of white sand traps furnished with coral rock. Green fees are $42 weekdays and $73 weekends. I used to be a member of this club and I found its facilities to superior and complete. It is a private club, but it is open to guest and tourists.
Davao City
7. Apo Golf & Country Club
This course is famous for accommodating players of all skill levels, as most of the greens are huge and flat. The grounds are kept in meticulous condition, and with its vast coconut plantation, abundant hardwoods and tropical landscape it is an awesome experience even for non-golfers to see. This course also is open to tourists, but reservations are required.
8. Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club
I am currently a member of this club. This course has virtually everything, and players come fly in from all over the Philippines to have a go at this course. It has redefined the face of golf in Asia through its environmentally sensitive design and management. Designed by Andy Dye, it offers one of the most stunning golf course sites in the world.
It is a private club, but tourists are welcome to play provided reservations are made well in advance.
Baguio
9. Camp John Hay Golf Club
This course is situated at 5,000 ft elevation in the former US Air Force base. It has beautifully manicured fairways and large, lush, lightning fast greens. There are numerous pine trees and hilly terrain.. It was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is arguably one of the best in the Philippines. It is no longer a public course, but resorts in the area usually know of a member you can tag along with for a round. Green fees are around $50.
Boracay
10. Fairways and Bluewater Golf & Country Club
People usually go to Boracay for its world famous white sand beaches. However, the Bluewater golf course is one of the best kept secrets of Boracay. It was designed by Graham Marsh, and offers a challenging and different experience with every hold. Whereas the front nine is relatively flat with lots of hazards, the back nine is hilly with less hazards. Perhaps not as famous or up to the standards of the above 9 courses, it rates in the top ten due to its location on the beautiful resort island of Boracay, where one can play golf in the day and party on the beach at night. It is open to the public.
Do you want more in depth information about golf and other sports activities available to Expats living in the Philippines? I have just completed my new book on "Retirement Living in the Philippines", which provides a comprehensive study of opportunities for fun, adventure, love and great friendships living in the Philippines.
Download it at http://www.retirementlivinginthephilippines.com
Will Irwin is a powerful entrepreneur and business and life coach. He has started many online and offline businesses both in the USA and in the Philippines, residing in both Hawaii and the Philippines
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Irwin
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Relax And Hit The Greens On Golf Vacations
If you're a fan of golf and are looking to get away from it all, then you can't do much better than golf vacations. On a golf vacations you can combine your love for golf with a relaxing and enjoyable time. Whether you are an avid golf fan or just a casual player, using a golf holiday to relax and brush up on your game could be just what you need. Although you might think these sorts of holidays are expensive, there are in fact golf vacations to suit every budget. From budget breaks to high-end hotel and resort packages, there is something for everyone. So, if you want to relax, get away and hit the greens as well, then here are some tips about choosing golf vacations.
Picking a dedicated resort
One of the best ways to play golf on holiday is to go to a dedicated golfing resort. These places are specifically built with the golfing game in mind, and generally the holiday package will include access to the golf course and other golfing facilities. You can relax in a beautiful resort and enjoy as much golf as you want. These resorts definitely have some of the best facilities around as they are designed for golfers. However, the courses are often fairly similar at resorts, and you will probably pay more for these packages than a regular holiday.
Create your own golf vacations
Creating your own golf vacations is another great way to combine golf and holiday time. You book a regular hotel or apartment and then combine this with golfing facilities in the area. This will give you more of an opportunity to do other things apart from golf, especially if there are others with you who don't want to play golf all the time. You will have more freedom in terms of locations, and you can even book your holiday so as to be near some of the top golf courses in the world. Although not as focused on golf as a dedicated golfing resort, this option is good for those who want a holiday as well as play some golf.
Look at the course
Before you book any holiday that involves golf, make sure you check out the golf courses on offer. Whether these are local courses or the course on the resort, make sure that you are booking a holiday that caters to your golfing needs. For example, if you want a challenging course then make sure the course you pick is not a basic golf course. Also, remember not to sacrifice accommodation facilities for golf facilities. You want a nice balance between holiday, relaxation and golf. If you do this, then you will find the best golf vacations for your needs.
Source: Free Articles
Picking a dedicated resort
One of the best ways to play golf on holiday is to go to a dedicated golfing resort. These places are specifically built with the golfing game in mind, and generally the holiday package will include access to the golf course and other golfing facilities. You can relax in a beautiful resort and enjoy as much golf as you want. These resorts definitely have some of the best facilities around as they are designed for golfers. However, the courses are often fairly similar at resorts, and you will probably pay more for these packages than a regular holiday.
Create your own golf vacations
Creating your own golf vacations is another great way to combine golf and holiday time. You book a regular hotel or apartment and then combine this with golfing facilities in the area. This will give you more of an opportunity to do other things apart from golf, especially if there are others with you who don't want to play golf all the time. You will have more freedom in terms of locations, and you can even book your holiday so as to be near some of the top golf courses in the world. Although not as focused on golf as a dedicated golfing resort, this option is good for those who want a holiday as well as play some golf.
Look at the course
Before you book any holiday that involves golf, make sure you check out the golf courses on offer. Whether these are local courses or the course on the resort, make sure that you are booking a holiday that caters to your golfing needs. For example, if you want a challenging course then make sure the course you pick is not a basic golf course. Also, remember not to sacrifice accommodation facilities for golf facilities. You want a nice balance between holiday, relaxation and golf. If you do this, then you will find the best golf vacations for your needs.
Source: Free Articles
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Etonic Golf Shoes and the PowerPlay Outsole System by Jane baron
Etonic shoes have launched a golf shoe that boasts "trampoline action" insoles and "PowerPlay" outsoles. The shoe is designed to maximize traction and control and increase balance and power. This shoe is an example of a high-tech shoe. Flip it over and you will see lots of gadgets and fancy-looking features that look almost space-aged. Etonic claims that the shoe was inspired by PGA all-stars but that does not mean it is not for you! In fact, if you are a golfer who suffers from any kind of foot injury or deformity (plantar fasciitis, weak Achilles tendons, bunions, etc.), have weak knees or hips (which begin with your feet, of course!), or if you are a diabetic, have lymphedema or any other condition that makes you susceptible to injuries on your feet, then these kind of high-tech shoes may be worth the investment.
Golf is a great sport option for people whose feet are suffering: there may be a lot of walking but there is no jumping or hard-impact landings. Your knees, however, may suffer from the twisting that occurs with your side swing. This is why shoes with excellent traction and control are essential.
Let's take a closer look at the PowerPlay outsole system. There are six main components to this system: Inside-Out Spike Placement, PowerSpike, PowerPod, PowerPlay Flex Zone, Dynamic Reaction Plate, Stabilizer Heel Technology.
Inside-Out Spike Placement. According to Etonic's website, Etonic shoes with the PowerPlay system have spikes that "...are strategically positioned to both accept and transfer the forces generated during a golf swing." This means that if you flip over your new pair of Etonic golfing shoes you will see spikes along the inside of the right outsole and along the outside of the left outsole. These spikes provide extra traction just in the places you need it so your shoes can comfortably grip the grass when you swing.
The PowerSpike is the name of the spikes on the bottom of an Etonic shoe. Each PowerSpike is structured with a central spike that is accompanied by eight supporting "legs." The PowerPod is a support feature positioned under the arches of both feet; it is designed to maximize your traction and therefore your power. The PowerPlay Flex Zone is located across the ball of your foot. It enhances the flexibility of the outsole so it can bend in ways that accommodate the natural flexibility of the foot.
The Dynamic Reaction Plate is technically not on the outsole but located in the midsole. It is designed to prevent the foot from rolling outward - a common problem that occurs during the Backswing and Follow Through.
Last but not least! Stabilizer Heel Technology offers you a flared shoe that will increase stability (as its name suggests) and motion control.
Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com,a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear.Get more information on deformed feet, corrective shoes or foot length difference.
Golf is a great sport option for people whose feet are suffering: there may be a lot of walking but there is no jumping or hard-impact landings. Your knees, however, may suffer from the twisting that occurs with your side swing. This is why shoes with excellent traction and control are essential.
Let's take a closer look at the PowerPlay outsole system. There are six main components to this system: Inside-Out Spike Placement, PowerSpike, PowerPod, PowerPlay Flex Zone, Dynamic Reaction Plate, Stabilizer Heel Technology.
Inside-Out Spike Placement. According to Etonic's website, Etonic shoes with the PowerPlay system have spikes that "...are strategically positioned to both accept and transfer the forces generated during a golf swing." This means that if you flip over your new pair of Etonic golfing shoes you will see spikes along the inside of the right outsole and along the outside of the left outsole. These spikes provide extra traction just in the places you need it so your shoes can comfortably grip the grass when you swing.
The PowerSpike is the name of the spikes on the bottom of an Etonic shoe. Each PowerSpike is structured with a central spike that is accompanied by eight supporting "legs." The PowerPod is a support feature positioned under the arches of both feet; it is designed to maximize your traction and therefore your power. The PowerPlay Flex Zone is located across the ball of your foot. It enhances the flexibility of the outsole so it can bend in ways that accommodate the natural flexibility of the foot.
The Dynamic Reaction Plate is technically not on the outsole but located in the midsole. It is designed to prevent the foot from rolling outward - a common problem that occurs during the Backswing and Follow Through.
Last but not least! Stabilizer Heel Technology offers you a flared shoe that will increase stability (as its name suggests) and motion control.
Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com,a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear.Get more information on deformed feet, corrective shoes or foot length difference.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Make the Very Best Use of Your Time on the Driving Range by Donald Saunders
All golfers, and especially beginners and intermediate players, will spend a great deal of time on the driving range and so it is vitally important that you make the very best use of that time.
It is very easy, and great fun, to get a great big bucket of 50 or 100 golf balls and simply try to hit them as hard as you can and as far as you can down the range and indeed this is just what a lot of golfers do. Unfortunately, it is a complete waste of your time and will do absolutely nothing to improve your game.
Before you set foot on the driving range to practice you must clearly define what it is you want to practice and set yourself an objective for your practice session. For example, if there is one aspect of your game that has been troubling you for the past few days then this particular shot should become the object of your practice exclusively and you should set yourself a target which will clearly show an improvement in the problem.
Start each practice session with just a few warm up shots using a wedge and your middle irons and then select the club needed for the shot you wish the session to focus on and begin specific practice on the shot that is troubling you.
One very important point here is that every single shot you take on the driving range, including your warm up shots, should have a clear target. Unlike the course itself there are no penalties for making a bad shot on the driving range but you need to use the range just as you would the course and realize that every bad shot on the range means another trek into the rough or an out of bounds area on the course itself.
Apart from this, what is the point of firing your ball off down the range without having a target to aim at? It is a bit like getting into your car and just driving around with no specific destination in mind. All you do is waste time, burn up money on gasoline and pollute the atmosphere. On the driving range you again waste your time, burn up money on range fees and get in the way of other golfers who are waiting for their practice slot.
So, pretend you are actually out on the course and slowly and deliberately practice your intended shot, analyzing each shot in turn and making the necessary corrections until you get it right. Then, once you have got it right and have hit several shots in a row with the result you are looking for - stop!
Once you have sorted the problem out simply step back, relax and enjoy the feeling of being able to hit that particular shot to perfection. It doesn't matter if you still have twenty minutes left for your practice slot, continuing on with your practice session just to use up your time could take a great practice session and turn it into a disaster. For example, how will you feel if you go on practicing this shot and, because you are getting tired perhaps, your shot starts to wander off target so you finish your session right back where you started?
Practice is a necessary and very valuable part of the game of golf but it is possible to over practice and it is just as important to know when to stop as it is to know when you need to practice.
Donald Saunders has been writing articles on a range of topics for many years now. Come and visit his latest website which provides information about EZ GO golf carts and EZ GO lift kits and a great deal more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Saunders
It is very easy, and great fun, to get a great big bucket of 50 or 100 golf balls and simply try to hit them as hard as you can and as far as you can down the range and indeed this is just what a lot of golfers do. Unfortunately, it is a complete waste of your time and will do absolutely nothing to improve your game.
Before you set foot on the driving range to practice you must clearly define what it is you want to practice and set yourself an objective for your practice session. For example, if there is one aspect of your game that has been troubling you for the past few days then this particular shot should become the object of your practice exclusively and you should set yourself a target which will clearly show an improvement in the problem.
Start each practice session with just a few warm up shots using a wedge and your middle irons and then select the club needed for the shot you wish the session to focus on and begin specific practice on the shot that is troubling you.
One very important point here is that every single shot you take on the driving range, including your warm up shots, should have a clear target. Unlike the course itself there are no penalties for making a bad shot on the driving range but you need to use the range just as you would the course and realize that every bad shot on the range means another trek into the rough or an out of bounds area on the course itself.
Apart from this, what is the point of firing your ball off down the range without having a target to aim at? It is a bit like getting into your car and just driving around with no specific destination in mind. All you do is waste time, burn up money on gasoline and pollute the atmosphere. On the driving range you again waste your time, burn up money on range fees and get in the way of other golfers who are waiting for their practice slot.
So, pretend you are actually out on the course and slowly and deliberately practice your intended shot, analyzing each shot in turn and making the necessary corrections until you get it right. Then, once you have got it right and have hit several shots in a row with the result you are looking for - stop!
Once you have sorted the problem out simply step back, relax and enjoy the feeling of being able to hit that particular shot to perfection. It doesn't matter if you still have twenty minutes left for your practice slot, continuing on with your practice session just to use up your time could take a great practice session and turn it into a disaster. For example, how will you feel if you go on practicing this shot and, because you are getting tired perhaps, your shot starts to wander off target so you finish your session right back where you started?
Practice is a necessary and very valuable part of the game of golf but it is possible to over practice and it is just as important to know when to stop as it is to know when you need to practice.
Donald Saunders has been writing articles on a range of topics for many years now. Come and visit his latest website which provides information about EZ GO golf carts and EZ GO lift kits and a great deal more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Saunders
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