Perfecting Your Golf Swing Step By Step

Learning how to master your backswing can take years of skilled practice. Your goal is to get one fluid motion of grace and finesse. From the start of your backswing, through impact, to the follow through, it should be one fluid motion....

A. Why It Matters

The backswing is the initial movement of your golf club. It defines everything that follows. Therefore, it's critical to get it right!

B. The Takeaway

Once you are set up and in position to prepare for your shot, begin the backswing by moving your club slowly backwards. Keep the clubhead as close to the ground as possible.

Don't move the club too fast as this may create a steep swing plane which can reduce your power & accuracy. And, be sure that your left shoulder is slightly higher than your right one (assuming you are right-handed). Your shoulders, arms, and hips should all move together in one fluid motion.

Golf players that concentrate just on their arms & hands have a tough time learning how to hit with power consistently.

You must learn to coordinate all of your body parts to move as one. The key is not to think too much...and that's tougher than you might think!

Simply turn & feel your arms, shoulders, and upper legs all moving together in synchronicity. Just go with the flow....

C. As You Turn

Once your backswing is in motion, your body will start it's turn and your right arm should begin to fold inside. Your left arm should not be stiff, it should remain somewhat straight. Your right elbow should remain tight to your body throughout the entire backswing.

At this point, everything should be turning naturally and your weight will begin to shift.

Once your club shaft is in the air and pointing straight back, your wrists should begin to bend naturally. Don't tighten your grip. Keep it loose and casual....yet, in control at all times.

Keep turning everything gracefully until your left shoulder is underneath your chin. Your left knee will start to bend toward the right one. The club should now be in the air & positioned on top of your head. You are now ready for the downswing.

D.The Top Of Your Swing

OK. Try to avoid swinging your body at this point. Your club should be in the air & pointing towards your target line. The majority of your weight should be on your right foot, and your left knee should be bent slightly inward.

Your right knee will have a slight bend throughout the entire backswing because it serves to brace your body's power.

(Your left foot may rise slightly at the top of your backswing, but try to keep that to a minimum as it may affect your accuracy. It's better to keep your left foot grounded, if possible.)

E. Everything In Place

The moment of contact is almost here. You should feel a tremendous quantity of energy and power building up, rolled tightly in your body...just waiting to release and send the ball flying.

You should feel confident. The shoulders should be at 90 degrees & your hips should be turned to approximately 45 degrees. (These angles are not set in stone, but they are good guidelines. Every player has different levels of flexibility and technique.)

Strive to practice your backswing as often as possible. You don't need to be at the driving range or on a golf course to do so. Every chance you get, simply stand in front of a mirror to see yourself follow through with the proper technique. Get a friend to check out your backswing for constructive criticism. They can alert you to any tweaks that need to be made.

F. Coming Down

Now you are ready to drive the ball far down the fairway.

Your backswing should have felt controlled & smooth. But, you will now feel a change in tempo. You will release the downswing with full power. Make sure its graceful & easy at the same time.

The switch should appear as graceful and as seamless as possible. The best swings show no sign of using a snapping motion or force.

Unfortunately, this is where many beginner and amateur golfers divert from the pros. Their backswing was initiated perfectly, but their transition is sabotaged by a poor downswing.

G. Start From The Hips

The hips should be the very first body parts to move when bringing the club down. In fact, your entire body is getting ready to uncoil itself starting from the hips. Don't pay too much attention to your arms and hands. They will be the last body parts to turn & should do so naturally.

Once your body starts to uncoil, be sure that your weight begins to shift from your right foot to your left.

This part is crucial!

If you don't shift your weight onto your left foot, you may lose nearly 1/2 of the power and accuracy needed to make a successful shot. At first, you may need to concentrate on shifting your weight.

But, after enough practice, your body should complete the weight distribution naturally. Repetition is key.

H. Uncoil The Body & Release The Energy

When it comes to arms & hands. strive to maintain the natural bend you have in your wrists for as long as possible. They should be the last part of your body to release before hitting the ball.

If you can snap your wrists at the very last moment, you'll undoubtedly transfer more power and strength to the ball. This will drive it longer consistently.

The clubhead should now be coming down and moving faster towards the ball. Good form is essential. As the downswing gains momentum and speed, your entire body should follow through automatically, without interference.

Once the clubhead approaches the ball, you should feel like you are cracking a whip....

I. Let's Do It

Congratulations, your swing is almost there.

We've come so far!

It's now time to make contact with the ball & follow through. Just do it.

The contact you make with the ball and the direction (and loft) that it takes is determined here. If you are going for a straight shot, then the clubhead must move directly within the target line. If you want your ball to go left, then the path of the clubhead should point left, and vice versa, for the right.

Now, at first, it's not that easy to learn how to correctly steer your clubhead in relation to where you want the ball to go. This takes thousands of shots to master.

Your downswing will ultimately release power into the ball. The hands and forearms should rotate slightly counterclockwise (for right-handed golfers).

The clubhead then rotates toward the ball until it's close to perpendicular to your target line...

J. The Follow Through

Every swing results in a "follow through." This describes what your club & body does after making impact with the ball.

Although the ball is well on its way flying through the air, you still need to rotate your body & club in a smooth and graceful fashion.

Once your swing is done, your hips should be turned just enough so that your stomach area faces the target. Most of your weight should be transferred to the left foot and your right foot should be on its toes. Your back should be somewhat straight and the club wrapped around the back of your shoulders.

Here are some more tips & a few points that need repeating...

* Be sure that your head is centered over the ball as much as possible (You may allow a small amount of lateral motion if needed),

* The left arm should remain straight throughout the entire backswing. However, a small amount of bending is acceptable.

* Your left shoulder should be tucked snug underneath your chin.

* Your right arm should be folded smoothly into your side and brush across the rib cage.

* Your right knee should always maintain its bend throughout the backswing.

* Your body weight should shift considerably to the right foot when turning behind the ball.

K. Last Minute Tip

Once your body has stopped moving and your follow through is complete, practice remaining in that position for a few seconds after each shot. Not only can you watch the flight path of the ball, but if your body remains still without tilting over, it's a good sign that you maintained perfect balance & coordination with the shot.

Click this link to learn many more FREE golf secrets: http://www.quickgolfsecrets.com.

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Avoid Ill Fitted Golf Clubs

We've all found ourselves criticising our shots and swings for our performance at one stage in the past - no matter how much time and effort you invest in perfecting your golf shots - you'll never achieve your ultimate targets if you're using unsuitable or substandard golf clubs.

If you intend to purchase or receive a set of used golf clubs be sure to inspect them closely. Club-heads and shafts must show no sign of neglect from its previous owner - natural signs of wear can be expected on the grip. If purchasing a used set of from an online advertisement - don't be afraid to request emailed confirmation of the exact contents of the golf set.

More importantly research the Internet using shopping comparison websites like pricegrabber.co.uk, nextag.co.uk and shop.com for the latest prices on new golf club sets. The cost of purchasing a brand new golf set can be more cost-effective than acquiring golf clubs individually from various sources - where the addition of postage is charged per club. If you're a beginner the purchase of a new set of clubs will provide a degree of consistency and confidence - for example, the Chicago SGS golf set for beginners can be purchased in many variations including 1" shorter, ladies and men's editions - each set of clubs offering the optimal match in terms of shaft length and flex. Texan Classics produce a hybrid golf set in 1" taller (6' 1"+ over) and 1" shorter (for players under 5' 6") editions. Both brands can offer a complete set of 14 golf clubs with stand bag for under 90.

Custom fitted golf clubs can offer the most practical solution in finding the best golf clubs to match an individual's unique characteristics. Online custom fitting is the latest revolution to hit the golf industry with manufacturers like Forgan of St. Andrews - the world's oldest golf brand, offering one of the most easy-to-use custom fit services. A player simply enters the following details: gender, dexterity, height, floor to wrist height, glove size and swing speed; the website then calculates which golf clubs are best suited to their game from shaft flex to lie adjustments.

The type of golf club shaft can also help in predicting how well a player will progress in their game. Graphite and steel shafted golf clubs each possess their own characteristics -s steel shafts have always been considered to be more durable than graphite for example; like all golf equipment the key is to try out both kinds to determine which type best fits your swing. Graphite being a lighter material to steel can produce an extra 6-12 yards of distance. Steel shafts are typically recommended for players of a mid to low handicap. Graphite shafts are therefore better suited to ladies, junior and senior players - with varying degrees of flex to match the individual characteristics of each swing type. Given the increasing popularity and demand for graphite shafts - prices are typically higher compared to steel shafts.

Online retailers offer the lowest prices on graphite and steel shafted golf clubs. The Sports HQ for example supplies graphite shafted drivers from 6.99 and complete all-graphite golf sets with bag from 89.99. Junior golf sets with graphite shafts can also be purchased from 29.99.

Duncan White with Forgan Golf provides you best information of custom golf clubs including custom made and built golf clubs. He is expert in provide details about custom fit golf clubs and golf clubs custom fitting.

callaway putters

Golf Course Magic with the Seven Iron

If you have seen "Tip Cup," a popular movie starring Kevin Costner, you should understand how important the seven iron is to the game. To the golf player, the seven iron is often thought of as the perfect golf club.

With only a seven iron and a putter, a golfer could shoot par on nearly any golf course. Now, using a seven iron for a golf drive will not result in drives of three hundred yards, but long drives are not what the seven iron was designed to do. However, depending on the golfer's strength, a quality shot with a seven iron can still go anywhere from 175 to 225 years.

Following the drive using the seven iron, the golfer then makes the approach shot. Depending on the hole's length, the golfer may want a full swing or cut his or her swing somewhat to adjust the distance the ball travels. This, again, depends on distance desired in combination with the current weather conditions which may require the golfer to put the ball either behind or in front of his or her stance. Depending on the stance, this move will either keep the ball low or give it slightly more loft.

As the golfer comes onto the green, he or she can use the seven iron as a wedge to chip the ball onto the green and can also flip the ball onto the green by closing the stance and hitting the ball in the back of the stance. The golfer will, of course, want to cut his or her swing. Otherwise, he or she will fly the green resulting in a lost stroke and possibly a lost ball.

Once the ball is chipped back onto the green, there is really little use left for the seven iron unless the golfer wants to use it as a putter. In fact, this was done in the movie "Tin Cup" but certainly is not advised for the average skilled golf player.

On short, par 3 holes, the golfer is best to use the seven iron, the best choice for this scenario. He or she can tee the ball up and hit it out of the front or back of his or her stance. Depending on the hole's length, the ball can be teed up higher for less distance but more loft. Yes, it can feel somewhat awkward for both feet to be in front of the golf ball. But, this allows the ball to be hit with more control and higher while also preventing the golfer from having too much swing and flying the green.

The truth is, a nicely hit seven iron is beautiful to watch as the ball sores through the air in a majestic arch following the intended flight pathway if struck properly. It flies through the air, landing gently on the golf course turf and brings the golfer a big smile and one step closer to a great end result to the game!

The technical writer Ray Walberg is very interested in problems associated with finding an Alicante golf club and golfing in Alicante. You can learn about his comments on golf courses in Alicante over at http://www.alicante-spain.com/alicante-golf.html and different sources for golf courses in Alicante tips.

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Airsoft Upgrades

New to Airsoft?

Airsoft as a sport has been around since 1950s East Asia, specifically Japan where firearms were difficult or impossible to obtain due to local laws; sought a legal alternative for enjoying their passion. Airsoft is still today most popular in several Asian regions, such as Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and to a certain extent, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The vast majority of airsoft guns, accessories, and after market upgrade parts are also manufactured in these countries.

Airsoft participants organize meetings, either indoors or outdoors, at dedicated airsoft battlefields to play a variety of games ranging from short-term skirmishes, organized scenarios, military simulations, or historical reenactments. Combat situations on the battlefield often involve the use of common military tactics to achieve the objectives set in each game.

The guns used in a skirmish vary considerably, from SMG's (sub machine guns), assault rifles, sniper rifles and pistols. The most common type of gun found in a skirmish is an AEG or Auto-Electric-Gun, mainly due to high rate of fire and long charge time in the battery used. Airsoft guns are all too often confused with BB guns and this is something that cause damage to the reputation of the sport. A Bb Gun operate under spring, gas or pump and are capable of propelling a metal bearing at speeds approaching 1000 fps. These devices are used by some shooters as a practice weapon or to hunt fowl and small game. While an airsoft gun can operate under gas, spring or electric power and fire a 6mm plastic pellet at speeds around 300fps. The internet is obviously the primary source of information for airsoft enthusiasts and can sometimes contain inaccurate information for upgrading/downgrading guns and increasing the rate of fire of a gun.

Improve Rate of Fire & Feet Per Second of your Airsoft Gun

AirsoftPress have released a new e-book aimed at helping the average airsofter to increase the FPS and ROF of an average AEG. Put simply it is a guide on Airsoft Gun Optimization. To achieve ultra high FPS, you need to make sure the entire mechbox mechanism is optimized in such a way that the desired FPS can be produced without sacrificing ROF and battery life. High FPS performance must be achieved with practicality in mind - you should not need to trade off power with other performance factors, and the gears should not get striped too easily.

On the other hand, to achieve ultra high ROF you'll need to make sure the entire mechbox mechanism is optimized in such a way that piston movement is fast enough to produce the rate of fire desired. That means you need to use techniques to reduce the friction introduced due to fast movement, to ensure the spring can rebound fast enough after compression, and to reduce the overall workload of the gears and the motor.

The primary goal of this guide is to help you improve FPS and ROF in a cost effective way. Different mechbox modification techniques are covered. Additionally, the issues of air tightness and battery configuration which are outside of the mechbox but are still highly relevant to the overall airsoft AEG performance are also addressed. The goal of proper air sealing is to fill every gap along the air flow path to minimize air leakage and create an efficient environment for propelling BBs out of the barrel. We teach you how to maximize air seal at the two most critical areas along the air flow path, which are the cylinder set (from piston to air nozzle) and the Barrel / Hopup set. The correct voltage on which an AEG motor is required to operate is critical. Every motor model is unique. Different models have different operating characteristics. In general, a 5% decrease in voltage can often translate into a 10% decrease in motor torque. The goal of this section is to help you determine the correct type of battery pack to use for your AEG, as well as to teach you the corresponding charging techniques. Many Airsoft dealers are using the Airsoft publications as reference guides when repairing broken AEG's. The beauty of being able to repair or tweak your own Airsoft gun is that you save money on repair services and have the satisfaction of repairing your own gun.

Jim Dunlop is an avid Airsoft enthusiast and online marketer. For a copy of Airsoft Press click the following link http://www.squidoo.com/airsoftupgrades

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Golf Channel and Equipment Reviews

Downloadable Golf Games

Golf games are easy to come by on the Internet. You can tee or putt yourself away to glory with all the games that are available online.

From the websites that cater to gamers, you can download the game of your choice anytime, and most of them are free. You get to choose from a massive collection of all types of golf games which are suited for every mode or medium. There are games for pocket PCs, smart phones, palmtops, desktops, etc. The graphics are smooth and the games have polished front ends. A remarkable and well-recommended downloadable golf game for pocket PCs is Pocket Mini Golf. Games are also available for smart phones and palms. Golden Fairway Fx Golf Game 1.0 is another interesting golf game to download for Windows. It can accommodate as many as four players, and has three 18-hole courses from which to choose.

Verti Golf is another great game to download, with correct physics and interesting obstacles to overcome. Another way to improve your level is to get a round recorder installed on your computer. A free downloadable one offered by Golfwits allows you to mark your ball's position on your home courses interactive map. You also need to download the map of the course you play for along with it. These interactive course maps are capable of giving you correct information on how you play the game. It is helpful software which helps you improve your gaming skills and record your rounds. You are needed to determine the courses you want to play before you download this version.

There are an unlimited number of golf games accessible and downloadable from the Internet. Numerous websites offer demo games for enthusiasts who want to try out the games before purchasing them.

Golf Games provides detailed information on Golf Games, Free Golf Games, Online Golf Games, Golf Betting Games and more. Golf Games is affiliated with Arizona Golf Resorts.

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Grooved Golf Swing Series - How To Deal With Difficult Lies

Sometimes your ball will come to a stop on top of pine
needles or leaves. There is no firm ground immediately
beneath the ball and if you ground your club behind the
ball there is a big danger of causing the ball to move.

This of course is a penalty and you have to add one more
stroke to your score. Similarly when you have a piece of
twig beneath the ball or touching the ball. Don't try to
move it because you may move your ball. Now back to the
leaves or pine needles.

When you take your stance, make sure you do not ground your
club. Doing so may move the delicate surface on which the
ball lies and cause your ball to move. Take your stance
with the club head held above the surface and make your
swing.
Sweep the ball off the surface, hitting down on the
ball less than usual.

Because you are making such a swing,
you will cause the ball to fly lower than usual and so it
will fly and run further. You have to allow for this.

Now what about if you have to pitch the ball out of the
leafy or pine needle lie. How do you do that? How many
times have you duffed your ball or seen others do this from
such a lie?
The way to play your ball from this lie when
you need to get your ball up fast is to play an explosion
shot. Play it as though you are in a bunker.

Use the same club you would use if your ball were in a bunker
here instead of on leaves, and hit down and through the ball
using an open club face.
As in sand the ball will need to be hit a little harder than for
a normal shot to attain the desired distance.

Now you are in a fairway bunker miles from the green.

There is an easy way to play this shot and a not so easy way.
In both instances you have the hit the ball first.

If you hit the sand behind the ball you will not succeed.
One way is to try to pick the ball off the surface of the sand.
Some can do this - sometimes - and many try and fail.

The easy way is to play your ball off your right foot
(right handers) and keeping your head still and watching
the ball, take a normal swing and hit down on the ball.

It is much easier to hit the ball first - before the sand - if
you use this method.
Because you have hit the ball first,
it is compressed enough between club and sand to achieve
the desired effect, and the ball will fly a long way. Give
it a try. You will surprise yourself and be very pleased.

One thing though. Because you are playing your ball well
back, you will reduce the loft of the club you are using.
Therefore you will need a club with a bit more loft if you
have a high lip in front of you.

Bill Maitland is a thinking, inventive golf guru. He thought out and developed simple techniques and tips which enabled him to lower his handicap from 25 to 18, then from 18 to 15, and finally from 15 to 12. He is a passionate golfer, and delights in helping others with their game should they want his help. To receive a valuable weekly golf tip go to his web site http://www.onlinegolfershandbook.com and subscribe to his free Hole In One News Letter. You will be so glad that you did.

Author of On Line Golfers' Hand Book. An e-Book that takes you step by step to being the best golfer that you can possibly be. The basics in great detail. To learn about his tips and simple techniques and order his book, visit his web site

http://www.onlinegolfershandbook.com

sign up for his free news letter and receive a wealth of great tips every time. He really tries to tell you everything and leaves nothing out as so often happens. When you sign up, receive his free chapter from his book on bunker play.

Golf Channel and Equipment Reviews

Finding NYC Tee Times

If you are seeking significant discounts on new york city golf tee times, you'll be glad to know that most of the golf courses in and around the Big Apple maintain websites through which you can book new york city golf tee times in advance at substantial savings.

The discounts on new york city golf tee times can vary, particularly in terms of what is available. Usually, you are able to reserve an approximate tee time only (these are usually timed to begin every five to ten minutes).

When you book new york city golf tee times over the World Wide Web, the course or country club may offer various extras that include a sleeve of golf balls. A golf cart is not usually included in the greens fee (although it may be). In any event, when you reserve new york city golf tee times online in advance, you'll need to print out a copy of your reservation and present it at the pro shop when you arrive for your game.

Be aware that like any commodity, new york city golf tee times are subject to market forces; how much you'll pay is determined by how much demand there is for a particular time slot. Such reservations are granted on a "first come first served" basis, and some new york city golf tee times are in more demand than others. Saturday mornings are extremely popular, and may command greens fees that are twice those charged for a Tuesday afternoon, for example.

The other issue to be aware of is the fact that new york city golf tee times cannot usually be canceled, and any fees you may have paid in advance are usually non-refundable. The exception is if inclement weather prevents play, in which case you'll need to contact the course or country club by telephone. If you cannot get a refund, you can at least have your new york city golf tee times changed.

You'll also want to do some comparison shopping when booking new york city golf tee times. These times vary from one location to another. Some courses and clubs offer more extras than others, and the fees themselves also vary - sometimes dramatically - from one course to another.

A number of these websites also require a credit card for confirmation of your reservation, although others accept payment at the time of arrival for the game.

Those who are planning a vacation or business trip in the NYC area and hope to play a few rounds may also wish to look into package deals that offer discounted lodging near golfing facilities.

Jonathan Blocker loves to play golf. He plays all around the country, and some of his favorite courses are in New York

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