Friday, May 18, 2012

How to Find Your Electric Golf Trolley

Posted by Marita on 27 febrero 2012

So you are looking to purchase your first electric golf trolley?

First choose what it is you are looking to get out of your trolley. Example, are you looking for a battery which can complete 2 rounds of golf without charging your battery? Maybe you want to send your trolley 10, 20 or 30 Meters on its own to a tee box? How about a trolley that is fully automated full remote control? Lets look at some of these features in more detail.

-Battery.

Trolleys were first sold with 26ah battery (lead acid dry fit) this was perfect for 18 holes of golf. Now you can choose from 18ah all the way up to 33ah both in lead acid and in get the choice is hugh the range of brands even bigger from JCB to Leoch to Yuassa and many more. In fact you can now get lightweight Lithium for your trolley, what next polymer battery’s?

It is recommended that you go for a battery able to complete 18 holes for approx 3 years use and in my opinion a 24ah or 26ah battery will give you the best value for money.

A lot of suppliers including Powakaddy and Motocaddy are now selling 20ah battery’s as standard this is a cost saving measure in my opinion and not in the best interest of the consumer. You will only get about 12 maybe 18 months from a 20ah battery and cost another £60 to replace so for the extra few quid at the time of purchase go for the 24ah 26ah or 28ah long life version (about £20 more at time). This should last 3 or more years so a good value for money option.

-Distance Function.

Totally optional on a lot of golf trolleys. Hillbilly have as standard for £249 however its sister company Powakaddy gets up to a massive £349 before this is available??

This feature is for sending your trolley of in one direction while you walk in another. Why is this important? Well imagine when you are walking to your first green and have hit you ball off the left hand side but the second tee is off to the right. Well with distance function you can send your trolley off to the tee area in a pre-set amount of travel normally 10, 20 or 30 meters. Your trolley will stop here ready for you to finish your putt and walk straight to your trolley.

Of course there is the full remote control option available. You can send your trolley in any direction and control speed using a hand held remote. I am not personally in love with these trolleys as an option there seems to be a lot wrong with them in terms of reliability and the cost of repair seams high when they break. I would use caution!!

-Trolley Size

Trolley size is very important ideally a trolley should have a wide wheel base which folds into a small neat space a key part of this being the removal of the wheels. This should be an easy process large easy to use buttons so you can quickly and easily remove and refit.

A good folding design is very important GolfStream have an amazing system a true one piece folding design. The price is high at over £449 however I hear there is a £349 version coming out this year so watch this space if it uses the same frame it could be a winner.

Apart from this a good easy to fold trolley is a must make sure its all one piece and light below 10kg’s is important but not totally essential. In my opinion the superlight weight ones are weak in materials with cheaper components and steels.

So good luck in your purchase get in some good research before and ask your pro or playing partners what they use if your pro is using a brand there is a good chance its a good one.

golfers world | golf tips

Should You Keep Your Head Still In The Golf Swing?

Posted by Marita on 24 febrero 2012

Keeping your head still in the golf swing is not necessary but you definitely don’t want to have a lot of head movement either. Ideally, as you swing back on your backswing the head will move slightly in the direction the body weight shifts. Then, on the golf forward swing, the head will move back towards the position it was in at address and will continue to move forward after impact into the follow through position.

It’s important to make sure the head does not move up and down at all in the golf swing. This is not correct and should be avoided if at all possible. Sometimes golfers will dip or stand up at the wrong times in their golf swing and that can cause the head to come up or drop down below the level it was at in the setup.

The head will move slightly in a lateral motion during the golf swing. I don’t like to see the head moving up and down because it’s important to stay level in the golf swing. If a golfer’s head is moving up or down, they are dipping at some point in the swing which isn’t great. However, if you focus on keeping your head still, you are probably creating stiffness or rigidity in your swing which will hinder your results.

As a golfer turns on their backswing, their head will move slightly to the right as the weight shifts to the inside part of the right foot. As the body moves and shift forward in the downswing and follow through the head will move back in a lateral motion towards the target. As the golfer finishes their follow through, it is then okay to stand up and allow the head to come up as well. It’s important during the swing and impact zone especially to keep the head from moving up or down in order to ensure better contact and more solid golf shots.

Another issue that can come up is the problem of trying to not lift your head up in the swing. Some golf instructors will instruct their students to keep their head down at impact to prevent topping the golf ball or hitting thin golf shots. However, the reason a golfer moves up at impact usually is because they stand up with their knees and straighten their legs. This action automatically makes their head move up. In order to fix this problem you must go to the root cause which is not straightening up with the legs in the downswing and at impact.

golfers world | golf tips

How to Choose the Best Golf GPS to Improve Your Golf Score

Posted by Marita on 20 febrero 2012

Having a golf GPS is very useful for golfers. By having a golf GPS, you can measure the distance the golf ball travels. A GPS can also help you to decide the best strategy by measuring the distance between you and the hole and so on. Thus, it can be said that a golf GPS is a must-have gadget for serious golfers. If you are about to start hitting the golf course, you should think about getting one of these. If are a regular member of a golf club and do not have a GPS yet, then it is time for you to get one. There are few hints of how to choose the best golf GPS.

First of all, you need to figure out what kind of GPS setup you need, as most GPS devices requires software installation. After installing the software, you can download the golf course maps to a computer that will be synchronized with the GPS. Some GPS units already have the software installed when you buy it. Before buying the GPS, you must check whether your favorite golf course is available. You might want to buy a decent GPS unit from an established manufacturer that normally has maps of many courses.

The second thing you must consider is the complexity of the device. There are GPS units with basic features and there are GPS units with complicated features. You need to think about what is comfortable for you and fits your needs best. If you are the type of person who loves to use smart gadgets, then a fancy GPS is what you need. If you just want basic features of a GPS without too much hassle, then the basic GPS is a better choice. However, always check the accuracy of a GPS. This is the most important function of a GPS. Inferior GPS models may not be as accurate because they cannot pinpoint your location accurately. In terms of features, always check the basic features first, including the colors, static tracking ability, screen configuration and the capability to rotate the map according to your current location. Other features also need to be looked at closely to decide whether the GPS you desire is the best golf GPS for you.

If you plan to join a golf tournament, ask the organizer first whether GPS is allowed to be used during the competition, as there are competitions that allow it and others that do not. Lastly, compare the prices of different GPS units on the market. The best GPS for you should be worth the price. You can decide this through the comparison of the prices and the options or features that the units have.

golfers world | golf tips

Hitting a Chip Shot While the Ball Is In a Divot

Posted by Marita on 19 febrero 2012

Playing on a public course you will usually see a lot more wear and tear on the holes that you play. One of places where you usually see some rough spots are with ball marks and divots on the fringe short of the green. Players usually leave the ball short when they mishit it an approach shot, therefore this is where a lot of the balls land and subsequently get played from.

If your ball ends up on this fringe just short of the green, you could very easily be left playing out of someone else’s divot or a mark from where their approach shot landed. Usually this are the shots that are harder to pull off, but we are here to provide you on tips on how to hit a decent chip shot despite your ball being in a depression or divot.

Don’t try to putt when your ball is in one of these down lies because it will pop up. The air time on this putts will be unpredictable so putting will be inconsistent and often times will mean that you leave the ball well short of the hole. As a matter of fact, the farther down the ball lies in the depression, the more loft you will want to use to get it out. With the additional lift, you can air the ball over the lip of what is in front of the ball to get it out and rolling in the green.

To practice this kind of shot, you need to drop some balls on the fringe and step on them. You don’t want to bury the ball but you should a make a little depression for it to sit in. Take your normal chip shot setup with the ball back in your stance and weight forward then try a few different clubs to see which response you like best. A highly recommended club is the pitching or sand wedge but you need to use what is comfortable for you.

You do not have to change your stroke up, simply allow the extra loft that you take get the ball up and out of the hole. The chip will respond a little differently than when you are executing it from a perfect lie, but with a little practice and experience you won’t panic if you catch a bad break on the course. You’ll be able to adapt and still give yourself a chance at making par.

golfers world | golf tips

What’s The Difference Between Men’s And Ladies Golf Bags

Posted by Marita on 13 febrero 2012

Golf is a really popular game both for men and women. In fact a recent survey estimated that nearly 6 million women play golf each year in the United States which accounts for 22% of the total number of golfers playing each year. Given the successes of many young female golfers, this upward trend is likely to increase in the near future. To this extent, there is an increasing demand for ladies golfing equipment. This article will pinpoint the main differences between male and female golf equipment, with specific mention of the difference in ladies golf bags. It will also point out the essential things you need if you are planning to add this piece of equipment to your inventory.

Ladies Golf Bags – Lighter And Way Cooler?

Basically there is not much difference between a male and female golf bag. Ultimately it comes down to size and weight in practical terms. And in more subjective terms, the bag will look more fashionable and feminine.

In practical terms, female golf clubs are generally shorter, so this means that the bag that is used to carry them can also be shorter or smaller in size. This also means that the bag is likely to be lighter than a male equivalent.

Given that golf has traditionally been an older man’s preserve, the bags have also tended to be a bit conservative in design and color. This is a main difference in the female version.

The colors are likely to be more feminine, dare I say pink will make an appearance in some shape or form. And if pink is not in there then bolder colors will feature – red or purple for instance. You might also get patterned fabric to make the bag. Paisley patterns might be an eighties fashion phenomenon (that was borrowed from the sixties mind you) but it is a new look in golfing equipment.

In short, a ladies golf bag is meant to look good as well as serve the practical purpose of carrying your clubs about.

What Other Things Do You Need In A Golf Bag

So outside of it being a bit lighter and looking the part, what other things are essential for this essential piece of equipment, regardless of who it is for?

One thing that plenty of people comment on is that the bag should have dividers in the interior so that clubs do not get tangled up. This makes it easier to get to a club and probably keeps them in better condition. You want up to around 14 dividers in the bag to hold all the clubs. Even if you don’t have 14 clubs to start with, the bag is built for expansion just in case you get the golfing bug.

Having two handles and a shoulder strap is also important. The handles should be at the top and bottom of the bag so that it is easy to load on and off a cart or in and out of a car. The strap attachment makes it easier if you are planning to walk the course.

Other things that might not be considered are a compartment to store cold drinks. This should be insulated so that the hot weather doesn’t leave the drink flat and warm.

golfers world | golf tips

Important Tips For The Golf Novice

Posted by Marita on

The tips in this article are especially important for the golf novice. Do you ever wonder what separates good golf players from bad ones? Is it some very rare natural talent or is it a lot of practice?

The answer is a bit of both. A person wanting to be a good golf player needs a lot of practice, regardless of what natural talent he has. However, this does not mean that talent does not help. A talented golf novice can, with the right amount of practice, take his skills to a completely different level.

But, what if you feel you really have no talent? A golf novice who is aware of the right techniques and rules of golf can still be successful. Therefore, whether you have a lot of natural talent or not, the following golfing tips should help you significantly.

Grip the golf club in the right manner

The way you grip your golf club will determine the direction in which the golf ball goes.

For example, if you hold the club too tightly then the ball would have a tendency to deviate towards the right. In contrast, if you hold it too loosely then the ball would deviate more towards the left. Therefore, balancing the strength of your grip is crucial to your swing being true.

Have the correct stance for you swing

While it is true that a golf player should play his natural game, it is also true that there is a certain stance that most golf players should follow. Even minor discrepancies in the golf stance can result in a poor swing and, hence, poor score. A good way to check if your stance is right is to see if you can move your toes up and down.

If you are leaning forward too much then this would be impossible for you to do. Alternatively, if you are leaning too far back, then it would be very easy for you to move your toes up and down. Firmly planted feet are the foundation of a good golf stance. Therefore, you should get your golf stance right for the best swings.

Make the right contact with the golf ball

Every golf club has a specific sweet spot that you are supposed to hit consistently. On the basis of the type of club you are using, you would either have to make contact with the ball high on the face of the club or low. You can achieve this by taking multiple swings at the driving range and evaluating the success of your swings. Therefore, the more you practice your swings the better your chances of consistently hitting the sweet spot.

Get the right timing with your swings

A golf swing is an extremely well balanced amalgamation of various aspects. This means that while you should pay attention to individual aspects, you should also focus on the synergy between the various aspects. This translates into having the right timing with the swing. You can neither be too quick nor too slow when it comes to taking your swing. Consistency is key.

If your body is too quick, the golf ball would end up going towards the right. On the other hand, if you are too slow with your movement then the ball would drift towards the left. The trick to getting the right timing with the swing is to make sure that your body moves out of the way when your club comes down.

That’s right, it takes lots of practice!

Keep your knees flexed at all times

In a golf swing, the knees never straighten. Your knees are supposed to stay flexed all through your swing, through the backswing and the follow through.

It is easy to see why golfers keep practicing their golf skills all their lives. Golf involves many different skills, and all are needed for successful golf. Enjoy your time on the course, and relax at your game.

 

golfers world | golf tips

Golf Lesson Primer

Posted by Marita on 6 febrero 2012

When a new or existing student comes to me for lessons, I know I have done something correct in my teaching approach somewhere along the line. Being a golf instructor and teacher, someone skilled in ball striking and teaching, I have a good feeling as to how to approach each lesson. From the initial contact to about 5 minutes into the lesson, I know how to go about relating the important golf information to each student on an individual basis. Feel, intuition, and experience all figure into the equation.

If you are thinking of taking golf lesson, realize first as I am sure you do, that this can be a major investment. Even one lesson at a $60 to $80 price range can cut into your golfing and living budget. In my experience, I realize how hard it is to get by these days on what we have, so if you take a lesson from me, and I can only speak for myself, I can guarantee that you will get the most for your money.

I recently attended a seminar presented by Michael Breed of The Golf Channel. At one point in tthe presentation, Breed asked for 2 key words from the audience. He had a list of words that he had collected from all his previous seminars, and wanted to add 2 words from this audience, made up primarily of PGA professionals. Breed read us his list and got 2 more words from this group. No place on his list were the words I have previously mention, feel and intuition. Most in attendance agreed that it took about one-third to one-quarter of each lesson to figure out how to approach the student. I thought to myself that they are wasting a great deal of time on a part of teaching that they should have figured out in the lesson booking and in the first five minutes of the lesson: how to approach the relaying and relating of information.

My artistic background has given me a great foundation on which to base my teaching method. In the first place, I have learned over the last 40 years how to reduce information to its lowest common denominator, and how to get to the root of most problems quickly. In the second place, I have learned how to relay this information in a timely, simple to understand, common sense, coherent way. I have learned to operate on many levels at once, to get to the heart of the matter and get that information to the student precisely and quickly. No one wants to waste time and money; your golf lesson is no different that anything else.

I could tell you many reasons to take a lesson, from learning fundamentals to the ultimate goal of lowering your scores by hitting consistently better golf shots. This leads to increased satisfaction in your golf game simply from being a better player.

It is my goal as a teacher to first and foremost connect with you as a student, on some level. Then we can go about our business of making you a more consistent and competent golfers.

If you are looking for lessons, find a teacher who will meet your needs. Use email and the telephone to interview your prospective teachers and find someone who first of all cares about what he or she is doing, and second of all who can relate to you honestly as an individual golfer. Stay away from system or method teachers. What works for one golfer may not work for another. It is more important to relate swing fundamentals, both pre-swing and in-swing, to you particular situation, to getting you on the road to being a better player. Remember the words feel and intuition, and use them to your advantage on your search for a golf teacher or instructor.

golfers world | golf tips