The Basics of Buying Ladies Golf Clubs Part 1

by Walter Ballenberger


Ladies are at a disadvantage when it comes to putting together a set of golf clubs that fits them well and from which they can get the most out of their games. The reason is that there are few choices in normal off-the-shelf ladies golf clubs. With typically less than 10% of sales for a golf club company coming from ladies golf clubs, there are simply few choices in club styles, shaft flex, swing weights, or lofts normally available in most golf shops. An exception to this is the excellent line offered by Nancy Lopez Golf Clubs. That is the subject of another article, but you can easily find their web site with a simple search.
In general women have slower swing speeds than men and need shorter clubs and higher loft. There are of course women with better and stronger swings than most men. Lorena Ochoa of the LPGA tour averages about 270 yards on her tee shots. This is astonishing for a woman who weighs about 115 pounds! She is the top rated professional woman player in the world, however, and this article is meant for women with less ability than the top LPGA pros possess.
Driver ConsiderationsYou must know your swing speed with at least a driver and preferably with both driver and 5 iron. Women who can swing the driver more than 70 MPH can use titanium faced drivers effectively and take advantage of the spring effect off the face that such a club offers. If your driver swing speed is more like 60 MPH, you would have to find a special titanium face, and these are not readily available. If you are that serious you will probably be having custom ladies golf clubs made by a certified fitter and club maker. So in that case ask your club maker if he or she can offer options. As for club face loft, the slower your swing, the higher the loft is needed. If you can easily get the ball in the air, a loft of 13-14 degrees should work well for your driver. If you have trouble getting the ball in the air, you may need to use a 16 degree 3 wood to get the most out of your swing. Other ways to help get the ball a bit higher in the air are to use an offset hosel or a more flexible shaft.
Fairway WoodsFairway woods are critical clubs for women or men with slower golf swings. If your swing speed is in the 60MPH range, you should start your fairway woods with a 5 wood and leave out the 3 wood. Your other woods would then probably need to be a 9 and 13 wood. The reason for skipping an odd numbered wood is because you won't be hitting the ball that much farther with a 5 wood than you will with a 7 wood, for example. In other words the gap in distance between the two clubs is not enough to justify carrying the other club. Regarding club length, there should be at least a one inch difference for each odd numbered club. That is, the 7 wood should be one inch shorter than the 5 wood, and the 9 wood should be 2 inches shorter than the 5 wood, for example.
For women who swing 70 MPH or greater, a 3 wood could be a good choice, but it should have at least a 16 degree loft in order to keep the ball in the air longer. This group of golfers can justify having every other odd number wood in their bags, such as 3, 5, 7 and 9 woods, for example.
About the Author
Walt Ballenberger is a life-long golfer and founder of Hybrid Golf Clubs, a resource site for golfers. For a Free Report entitled "How to Find the "Sweet Spot" on Your Golf Clubs in 10 Minutes" visit Hybrid Golf Clubs

Thanks to Walter Ballenberger for this article.

The History Of Golf

by Bentley Loveday


Golf for Entertainment
We live in a stressful world, so it's only natural that we look for new venues of entertainment to ease our minds. You can get a lot of entertainment when you play the game of golf. Especially if you're willing to have a little fun with it!
Some people get plenty of entertainment when they simply play the game of golf. But it can be made so much more fun when you put twists on regular games. You can modify the way you play and get a lot more enjoyment from the game.
For example, why not play a game of "monkey golf". For this game, you put slips of paper in a hat that bears the name of each club in a normal bag. Players pick out a slip of paper and they have to use only that club for the entire round. The entertainment possibilities here are endless as you can imagine a person driving off the tee with a putter or chipping with a driver!
You can find great entertainment in the golf game when you play a little night golf. Golf courses aren't lighted, but you can get glow in the dark balls and have grease pots on the greens so you can see where you're going - well, sort of. It's great fun to drive your ball and then have to navigate in the dark to see where it went! Let's hope you didn't slice into the woods!
A friendly game of Wolf is hilarious entertainment. With this game, you have the option of picking players to be on your team based on how they hit the ball. Teams can change often. But the most fun of this game is when a player is putting to win the hole. The other players are allowed to do anything they want as long as they don't touch the ball. That leaves the field wide open. You can cover the player's eyes, place obstacles in front of the hole - the possibilities are endless - and great fun!
Some friendly side bets can also increase the entertainment value of the golf game. Try making these bets with dares instead of money. Wouldn't it be funny to make your opponent play with his or clothes turned inside out if they don't make that putt? Use your imagination and be creative - however, keep it G-rated. The golf course is, after all, a public place!
Finding entertainment on the golf course is actually quite easy when you think outside of the proverbial box. Just remember that the whole point of a friendly game is to have fun. So go out and do it!
However, the Scots are generally adamant that the game of golf was a Scottish invention on St. Andrews golf course. The name "golf" is a derivative of the Dutch word "kolf" however, so as for who really invented the game, we say who really cares!
It really doesn't matter who actually invented the game, but what does matter is how the history of golf has evolved over the years. Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes. St. Andrews began with eleven holes dictated by the topography of the land the course was located on. Players would play the eleven holes out and then back in to total 22 holes. Later, several of the holes were deemed too short and were combined with each other. That reduced the number from 11 down to 9 so a complete round of golf was comprised of 18 holes.
By 1744, the game of golf had become wildly popular. So much so that a group of men called Gentlemen Golfers decided that a set of rules must be laid out for fair play. They came up with a list of thirteen guidelines on playing the game.
Major changes since the 19th century have occurred in the equipment needed for play. Better mowers made greens easier to play on. Golf balls designs would evolve by using rubber and man-made materials which made the ball fly longer on a drive. The wooden golf tee would make the drive easier.
No discussion of golf history would be complete without talking about the advances made in golf clubs. Metal shafts came about in the 1930s and most drivers were made of wood which is why they are called woods today even though they are most commonly made these days of metal or titanium. The golf shaft design has also gravitated towards graphite which is lighter and makes the club easier to swing.
When referring to the history of golf, we can debate exactly where the game originated, but the game of golf as we know it today, most certainly came about in Scotland. Even if we're wrong, we do still have this wonderful game - and most of us are very glad about that!
Golf Course
The game of golf is played on a golf course - obviously. But have you ever thought what goes into making a good golf course? I mean, what makes a good golf course, and what makes a not-so-good golf course? While we don't have the space to go through specific design layouts, we can touch on some of the aspects of a golf course that makes it fun to play yet challenging too.
Like the miniature golf course, a regular golf course should be fun. You really can't add the fun windmills or other hazards on a regular golf course, but you can use the natural elements of the land to help build challenges into the layout.
Obviously, the first thing you're going to need is land. I mean, you're going to need A LOT of land! The golf course must have some long yardage holes as well as some shorter yardage holes. However, most golfers will agree that having mostly longer holes is a great challenge. But they also need those short par 3s for a little ego boost!
Having several sand bunkers is a great way to present challenge on the golf course. Bunkers are now placed on the fairways as well as around the bunkers causing more golfers headaches! Having to hit out of the sand provides for all sorts of stroke modifications, and golfers love to have the challenge at hand!
The challengers on the golf courses are numerous one such is the dreaded water hazards. Rivers and lakes in theire natural enviroment are found everywere on the golf course. and man made water hazards are dug out and then filled with water over large areas! Water hazards make a player have to use finesse to avoid them and make a golf course fun to navigate.
The golf course that we play most often used to be a cow pasture. The rolling hills that used to have Holstein's instead of golf carts make this particular golf course a lot of fun to try and get "up and down" on. Rolling hills cause a golf ball to - take a guess here - roll! You may have a great drive, but if your ball lands on the side of a hill, it will either stick there making your shot hard or it will roll off the side. Either way, this is another way to make a golf course challenging.
Natural trees and woods are also part of the golf course environment. There's nothing worse to hear on a golf course than the sound of your ball hitting a tree. Then you have the fun task of trying to find out where the ball landed. Did it go further in or did the tree propel it out into the fairway? You have a great way of either way to challenge yourself against natural elements.
The fun of designing a golf course is shared by player and designer alike. Take in the natural elements of your favorite golf course and then navigate through those hazards with a positive attitude. Then you'll be having fun!
About the Author
Discover how to hold your club. Learn the secret to your back swing. Does balance really effect your at game? Discover the mental game and learn the basics. Find out how your stance plays a role, learn about chipping. Discover common mistakes.Plus much MUCH More at http://www.golfsultimateguide.com

Thanks to Bentley Loveday for this article.

Work On Your Swing With The Golf Gym Power Swing Trainer Exercise Program

by Wade Robins


The Golf Gym Power Swing Trainer Exercise Program is a full body golf workout program. It comes with the ProPerfect Training Grip with PowerCord, a DVD developed by pro golfers full of training tips, a book on how to use the Program to maximize your training, a reference guide and a bag.
The Exercise Program is designed to help golfers:
- Strengthen the muscles they use when playing.
- Improve accuracy and muscle memory.
- Work on developing their golf swings, no matter what swing they use.
- Avoid injuries by keeping muscles flexible and in good shape.
The Program encompasses all of this. It's flexible and easy to use.
ProPerfect Training Grip with PowerCord
The key to the training program is the Training Grip. This unique device was developed by a group of pro golfers and athletic health professionals 20 years ago.
It has a grip designed like the grip on your golf club, with 2 cords that can be stretched. The cords are connected at the end by a piece that has loops for easy attachment to anything.
You use the Training Grip in several different ways. For example, you can connect it to some part of the house and practice stretching it, twisting your body as you go like you would when you are making a shot.
There are lots of different exercises you can do with the Training Grip, and they are all simple. Because the grip itself is modeled after a golf club's grip, it helps you get your grip tight as well.
There are three cord strengths available: light, medium and heavy. These models offer different amounts of resistance, depending on the strength of the golfer. Usually, the whole Exercise Program costs around $40, but for $60 you can get a set with all three cord strengths.
The Training Grip is better than exercising with ordinary weights because it actually feels like a club. With the Grip, you can do exercises that are exactly like what you are doing on the course, so you'll work the specific muscles you need. And, you can practice any swing with it.
Instruction Materials
The package also comes with an instruction booklet, reference guide and training DVD. The DVD is 45 minutes and has Dr. David Wright, one of Golf Magazine's Top Teachers. He's also a senior teacher at Golf Tips Magazine. It also has Kathryn Roberts from the Golf Channel.
The DVD shows you how to do 37 different kinds of exercises and warm-ups. Once you get into the hang of using the Grip, you can develop your own. The instruction materials show you how to personalize your Grip workout to your own individual golfing style.
The Golf Gym Power Swing Trainer Exercise Program is appropriate for any level of golfer. The Grip is easy to use, and customers have given glowing reviews of the product.
About the Author
You can also find more information at modern golf swing and golf course. GetGoodAtGolf.com is a comprehensive resource golf enthusiast to improve their game through helpful tips and instructions.

Thanks to Wade Robins for this article.

Junior Golf Clubs- What to Do?

by Walter Ballenberger


30 years ago there weren't too many sets of real junior golf clubs to be found, and there weren't that many people buying components and making their own clubs either. I found a person who did make clubs and had some old ones cut down for my two kids. My son must have been barely 3 years old, and his 9 iron didn't show much of the metal shaft: it was all grip! The head was extremely heavy, and he couldn't really swing the club, he sort of picked it up and hacked down at the ball like the club was an axe! The kids both had fun, however, and they always lit up when I suggested going to the driving range to hit balls. These days parents have many more options, and they can find decent junior golf clubs at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Doing it RightEarl Woods always made sure that Tiger had clubs that fit him when he was growing up. With clubs that are too long or too heavy and with grips too large, the junior golfer is going to have to make swing adjustments that will probably cause bad habits which will be difficult to correct later on
Club LengthThis is the major consideration, and suffice it to say that your junior golfer should not be playing with clubs that are too long. Sure, you want your kids to "grow into them", but if they have to choke up more than 2 inches they will have to modify their swings. Your kids will probably only get 2 to 3 years maximum out of a set of junior golf clubs, so you should set that expectation if you want your kids to play and enjoy golf. Unless you purchase a Calloway junior set or a set from another major brand, new clubs can be acquired at very reasonable prices. More on that shortly.
Club and Club Head WeightDon't do to your junior golfer what I did to my son. Get him or her clubs that are the correct weight. Junior sets normally have light and flexible graphite shafts and proper club head size and weight.
GripsYoungsters need grips on their junior golf cubs that fit their hands. Fortunately thin grips for kids are readily available these days, and most decent junior sets use those.
Prices- New ClubsA quick internet search showed an number of interesting options. AMF had a set of junior golf clubs for ages 3-5 for about $80. The set had a wood, a hybrid club, an iron, and a putter. The clubs had light weight flexible graphite shafts, and the golf bag and a few other accessories were included. They also had sets aimed at 5-8 year olds and 9-12 years of age for a bit more money. In contrast, I saw a junior Calloway set for 9-13 year olds selling for $240.
Why Not Ebay?A quick search on Ebay for "junior golf clubs" resulted in seeing several hundred auctions, most of those for brand new clubs. If you find a reliable seller you can get some excellent deals. I saw a brand new set for the 5-9 age group that had a top bid of only $15, and there were only 15 minutes left in the auction! So to get that very first set to determine if the child will be interested in playing golf, Ebay might be a great solution.
ConclusionMy grandson is 1� years of age right now, and I'm already thinking about taking him to the driving range in about a year. He'll be luckier than his uncle (my son) was at his age, and he'll have junior golf clubs that fit him reasonably well and which he can actually swing. I can't wait to see him hit a few shots that get up into the air a bit for the first time. The sooner he can accomplish that and experience some success, the more he'll enjoy playing golf not just as a youngster but throughout his life.
About the Author
Walt Ballenberger is a life-long golfer and founder of Hybrid Golf Clubs, a resource site for golfers. For a Free Report entitled "How to Find the "Sweet Spot" on Your Golf Clubs in 10 Minutes" visit Hybrid Golf Clubs

Thanks to Walter Ballenberger for this article.

Exciting New Golf And Sports Resort Planned For Murcia, Spain

by John Hill


At approximately 5000 acres, the Marina de Cope project near Aguilas in Murcia, Spain is destined to be the largest tourist resort development not only in Spain, but also in Europe.
The declassification of up to 27,000 acres of Spanish coastline has paved the way for this, the ultimate tourist destination - encompassing 22,000 hotel beds, 9,000 residential units, five golf courses and a vast 69 acre marina that can accommodate up to 2,000 boats.
The Marina de Cope also promises two mixed-use town centers, village entertainment district, cultural civic center and a prestige sports complex which, in addition to the five golf courses, will offer tennis, soccer, cricket and polo. Construction will begin in 2007 and is scheduled to be completed by 2022. Upon completion, the Marina de Cope project will bring the largest transformation to the Murcia region in recent times.
The Marina de Cope project happens to coincide with the opening recently of a new dual carriageway, the AP-7 (Autopista del Mediterraneo), hugging the Mediterranean coastline between Cartagena in Murcia and Vera in Almeria.
Also in 2007 the tender was awarded to build Murcia / Costa Calida's new international airport, just 15km south of the city of Murcia in Corvera. This international airport is expected to be operational by 2010 according to the regional President of Murcia, Ramon Luis Valcarcel. And is expected to be used by one and a half million passengers during its first year of operation, although that is expected to triple in the short to mid term
Already, four low-cost airlines which currently operate out of San Javier airport(Ryanair, Jet2, Easyjet and Air Berlin) will transfer operations over to the new Murcia International Airport in Corvera when it opens in 2010.
There is absolutely no doubt that exciting times are ahead for the Murcia / Costa Calida region of Spain and that Murcia is destined to be placed firmly on the map.
About the Author
Kingdom-Homes offer golf property for sale in Murcia, a genuinely unspoilt region of Spain, and are firmly committed to the highest ethical standards.

Thanks to John Hill for this article.

Umbrellas FOUR Business - Promotional Golf Umbrellas

by Tina Rinaudo


It's a well known fact that all executives love to golf. It's no wonder, then, that some of the most popular executive gifts are golf related. If your clients and CEOs of companies you do business probably own a complete set of club cozies, it's time to consider promotional printed umbrellas.
Those that play golf regularly have definitely been caught in their fair share of afternoon rain showers. Being prepared for these surprise storms can make a huge difference in ones game. Take a few minutes to put some thought into the promotional golf umbrella you choose and they'll reach for yours each and every time the rain drops start falling.
Size MattersWide umbrellas are best for the golf greens. Choose one that is at least 30 inches wide. The Wentworth Golf Umbrellas, sold by YesGifts, feature a 30 inch wide canopy and are available at a reasonable price - starting at just �3.85 each.
Miniature umbrellas are typically any under 29 inches wide. These are usually offered at a discount. While they can save you a little money, they don't offer the coverage most golfers require when the rain comes pouring down.
Shaft MaterialYou don't need to tie a key to a kite and fly it in a thunderstorm to know that lightning is attracted to metal. Rain and lightning go hand in hand and you don't want your executives to have a shocking experience because you chose a cheaper, metal shafted printed umbrella.
There are plenty of shafts that aren't made of metal and they don't have to cost you a fortune. Wood shafts are heavier and have a classic feel. Fiberglass shafts are a little more expensive but are lighter and easier to handle.
Wind TestedWind gusts often accompany rain storms so it's important to choose a printed umbrella that will withstand blistery breezes on the fairway. When shopping for promotional umbrellas, look for brands with double ribbing and duel anchored fixings. Breathable or double canopy models are great for wind resistance since the breezes can go through the umbrella rather than take it away.
Color OptionsThere are plenty of color options when choosing printed umbrellas but which is the right one? If you choose something too loud and bright, your executives may not want to use it. Choose something too plain and it may not be noticed.
Ideally, you should choose colors that remind users of your company without offending their sense of color and balance. Make sure whichever color scheme you choose, your printed umbrellas are constructed with coordinating thread and your logo will stand out against the background.
Take the StakeWhen looking at printed golf umbrellas, you need to make sure the one you choose includes a plastic stake on the end. When a golfer is ready to take his or her shot, they typically turn it upside down and stick the stake in the ground to keep it from flying or rolling away. Without a stake, your printed umbrella recipient may be stuck with a dirty umbrella or worse, chasing it down the fairway. Remember to avoid the metal stakes - they act as lightning rods.
About the Author
Tina Rinaudo is one of the leading lights in the UK promotional umbrellas industry. Tina is a key member of YesGifts, the UK's fastest growing online printed umbrellas resource specialising in promotional pens, mugs, mouse mats, umbrellas, conference items and much more. For more in

Thanks to Tina Rinaudo for this article.

Marbella - Go where you can golf

by Seb Jay


It's that time of the year when you pack your bags and leave on a family vacation: but you would rather golf. Make life easier for you by combining the two in Marbella, decidedly the best spot on the globe where golfing lends itself easily to a family outing. Here you have some of the best courses in the Costa del Sol area, in addition to sunny skies, golden beaches, and stunning landscapes, with all the associated pleasures.
Golfing for the family man - Places like the Atalaya Golf & Resorts take the strain out of vacationing with family and golfing at the same time. Here they have the perfect proposition that combines two fabulous 18-hole courses, with provisions for adventure activities like kayaking, rock climbing and water sports that should keep older kids engaged. You can concentrate on a good game of golf while they can probably hear your "fore." However, this may not always work as perfectly as it sounds.
What are we supposed to do when you go golfing?!!!Now you knew that was going to come up. Not to worry, Marbella accommodates all types, not just golfers. Funny Beach is where young children get a piece of action with Go-Karts, Mini-motorbikes, trampolines and water sports. Or they might prefer bowling at the Mega Bowl Sports Bar, which caters to all levels from professionals to the drop-ball-on-own-foot beginners; after which one might choose to limp to the Video games centre to soothe an aching ego. Another Marbella speciality is jet-skiing using cables rather than a motor-boat.
For the golf-widow - The Contemporary Spanish Engravings Museum houses works by Picasso, Dali and others. If art is not really your thing, you can proceed to the Bonsai Museum situated in the Arroyo de la Repressa Park. If architecture is what fascinates you, head down to the Orange Square where you can gaze at the Town Hall, Magistrate's House, and the Santiago Chapel, all dating back to the 15th century or so. If it's a Monday make sure you drop in on the street market, which runs from 9.00a.m to 2 p.m. next to the Recinto Ferial Marbella, where you might find ancient treasures at bargain prices. If you are in a particularly daring mood you might even sign up for flamenco dancing classes at the Escuelas de Flamenco en Marbella.
How to move around Marbella -While local transport is available and well-connected, you would find it more convenient and time-saving to hire a car for the duration of your stay. It beats having to wait in long queues and wasting precious time that could be spent in more pleasurable activities like, say at a golf course. You could hire a car of your choice in advance, so it will be waiting for you at the airport on arrival. It would also make sense to reserve child car seats if you are travelling with small children. You can do all this online at Your-Carhire.com - specialists in Spain car rental services to ensure a happy vacation.
About the Author
Article written by Seb Jay for http://www.your-carhire.com - specialists for car hire in Spain.

Thanks to Seb Jay for this article.