Golf Drives

The Dog Has “Teeth” That Bite!

2009-06-13T20:29:00.001-07:00

Lying dormant along the Caribbean Sea the Teeth of the Dog, will forever be the first “Great” Pete Dye creation at Casa de Campo! But don’t be deceived, just because it lies breathtakingly beautiful in its slumber, does not mean that this dog cannot rear it head… and the Summer of 2005, Pete put the bite back into the Dog.

The dream began in 1969, when Pete Dye, one of the world’s foremost golf course architects was charged with transforming the overgrown, jagged coral reef Dominican coastline into a single course worthy of “The Caribbean’s Most Complete Resort.” With the aide of 300 local laborers, Dye and his talented partner and wife Alice worked for two years creating a masterpiece. Clearing the site with machetes and hauling Dye’s unique mix of topsoil - a combination of sand, dirt and cachaza, an organic residue from the sugar refining process down from the mountains by oxen, they laid seedlings of Bermuda grass in the fairways and greens. The dream became reality!

Play on the “Teeth’s” seven waterholes is nothing short of exhilarating -- with errant shots bouncing off the coral rocks like ping pong balls and strong Caribbean breezes challenging each stroke. But it’s the magical location when combined with Dye’s personal touches that catapulted the “Teeth of the Dog” to one of the best in the world: it’s the trademark railroad ties, only this time utilizing native wood; vast waste areas; peninsula green & tees; hand-sculpted putting surfaces; unique assortment of pot bunkers and elevated bunkers and two holes require those playing from blue tees to drive across the Resort’s international airport.

Although credited with designing the course, Dye is quick to point out that the “Teeth” was “definitely designed by the ‘man upstairs’.” In other words... “I created eleven holes and God created seven!” By far Dye’s personal favorite, the “Teeth of the Dog” opened in 1971 as a 6,888-yard, par 72-layout, with par 3’s celebrated by Golf Magazine. It attracts and challenges the best professionals and amateur golfers from around the globe. The Teeth of the Dog is ranked the #1 course in the Caribbean and is the only course in the area to be rated among the world’s top 100 courses, currently ranked at # 43 in the Golf Magazine!

Establishing Perfect Golf Swing

2009-06-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

Many experts would agree that most golfers take their swing too seriously. Learn the basics, practice a lot and stay out of your own way!

Here are the basic steps for a full and perfect golf swing:

Grip the club with your left hand so that your thumb lies along the shaft. The line between your thumb and index finger should point toward your right eye. Wrap your right hand over your left so that your left thumb fits into the cup of the right palm. If you are left-handed, reverse these instructions.
Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart with your right foot pointing straight ahead and your left foot slightly to the left. Bend at your hips, keeping your back straight and your knees flexed. Distribute your weight evenly from front to back and left to right.
For the backswing, shift your weight to your right foot. At the same time, tilt your shoulders vertically so that your left shoulder points down, and right shoulder points up. The left end of the club will be pointing approximately at or behind the ball. As you’re shifting your weight to your right foot, release to the instep of your left foot so you can get behind the ball. Ensure that your right foot, right hip and head are in a vertical line. Begin your backswing with your hands, followed immediately by your arms and shoulders. Don’t hurry. This won’t create a faster downswing. Keep your pace steady throughout your backswing. If you aren’t happy with your golf swing, this is one of the first corrections to try. Slow down your backswing.
For the downswing and impact, start with your hips. Shift your weight to your left foot by leading with your hips in a slight lateral motion. Point the club end in your right elbow down at your right foot. At the same time, shift to the instep of your right foot so that most of your weight is on your left foot. Release your hips by rotating them through, so that your hips, belly button, and shoulders are facing the target. Your right toe is just balancing you, not supporting any weight. Hold the finish position. Look down the target line, not down at the ground.

Anna Rawson – The Most Gorgeous Golfer

2009-06-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

She has the skills, looks, personality and intelligence that women’s professional golf needs.

Changing How You Address The Ball

2009-06-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

Swing problems are found in every amateur golfer's game. These days, a lot of people believe that golf becomes easier when you isolate and eliminate swing problem variables.

When I first started to play golf I had a real difficult time find the right swing. I could recognize it when I saw other golfers swing correctly, but it eluded me for some time. What finally helped me was to concentrate on iron shots using this training method until I perfected my swing.

Traditionally the theory for hitting irons was to change how you addressed the ball based on the loft of the club. As the loft of the club is increased, the position of the ball address should be shifted to the right and your stance should become more & more open.

This method required that each club required its own unique stance. That made it necessary for the golfer to remember too many variables and provided a greater chance for error.

Today, most professionals believe in the “Keep It Simple” method.

Let's take a look at this simpler method. When you keep it simple, the right foot is moved closer to the left as the loft of the club increases. With the shaft of the club shorter, the ball is now placed a little closer to the golfer.

With this method, whichever club is used the stance is always kept square to the line of flight and the ball is always played off the heel.

Try this new method and see if it doesn't improve your short game. Take some time to practice at the range before you take your new found education to the course.

Diora Baird Revealing Golf Pictures

2009-05-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

From Sports Crunch: Actress/Model Diora Baird got all slutty on the golf course during a recent Maxim photoshoot. More chicks need to dress like this when they go to the golf course and take photos.

You can enjoy here.

Helpful Hints for Playing Golf Safely

2009-05-25T18:20:00.001-07:00

Full Swing

Back sufferers lose distance because of weakness and loss of flexibility, so they compensate by using a shorter back swing, coming down steeply from the outside resulting in lots of slices and striking the ground. Ouch! Very bad for backs. So take a shallow angle of approach and allow your hip to turn with your shoulders. Turn your grip so that the V made by your thumb and forefinger points towards the rear shoulder.

Work on a swing that draws the ball with the club head going away from you as you hit the ball i.e. from inside to outside as you swing. Use a closed stance with your toes turned out slightly. Allow your forward heel to lift during the back swing and your hips to turn with your shoulders.

Keep your back straight, aim to the right, draw the ball and finish with your body vertically, hips and shoulders facing the same way.

Chipping

Keep your back straight, stand tall, grip at the top of the club, flex your knees rather than your back and play with the ball back. Use the whole body to swing. Practice in shorter sessions with a variety of shots to vary the pressures on the back.

Bunker

Keep the ball back in the stance and swing easily, chipping / pitching style the ball and turning the whole body.

Putting

This puts a big strain on the back because of the prolonged slight bending. Buy a long putter. Keep the top of the long putter next to your sternum (chest bone) with one hand at the top and the other about halfway down.

General Tips

Look at longer shafted clubs, this also increases head speed and distance. Graphite reduces shock by absorbing the shock and soft spiked shoes also absorb shock. Walk rather than ride a buggy and always use a trolley.

Lifting Clubs

Use your legs not your waist to bend. Keep your bag close to your body. Keep your body square to your bag. Lift by standing, using your legs. To pick your ball up, squat or use a suction cup. Play shorter games i.e. 9 holes! Remember, after exercise, use cold / ice to keep inflammation down. You are already wearing the world’s best back support in the form of your back and abdominal muscles, so look after them!

How to Avoid Injury?

2009-05-24T07:19:00.001-07:00

Like any sport golf requires a good pre and post event stretching regime. This is especially true if you have spinal or any other joint and muscle problems. The best person to ask is your Chiropractor who can design a short exercise regime to suit your particular problem.

One difference with golf is that there is a short burst of activity followed by a sometimes long break before the next. Thus, the body can cool down between shots so; doing some stretching between shots or at least between holes is of benefit. Your Chiropractor can also design a strengthening regime for your spine to help it resist the rigors of the swing.

Some gym work to balance the trunk muscles, if you are a regular player, will also be useful. If the swing is causing problems then do consult a golf professional to try and iron out any bad habits.

The golfer’s elbow is best resolved by a combination of treatment and that visit to the
‘golf pro’ rather than the elbow braces that people wear. These can help you play when in pain and may stop a return of the injury but they are not eliminating the cause.

To help avoid associated with the golf bag try bags with the double shoulder strap. If pulling a trolley try to alternate sides. Or you can always get a caddy!

Even if you do not suffer from any of these problems then regular check ups on your body are essential for the regular player. Any problems in mobility may effect your swing so, you never know – it may lower your handicap!

Natural Grip Makes Difference

2009-05-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

The golf swing begins primarily with the hands. It is the only link between the golfer and the club which is to be impelled through the ball. This makes it one of primary importance of the swing. Whether one uses the interlocking grip, the overlapping grip or a ten finger grip is of less importance compares to the positioning of the hands on the club handle.

Since both hands are working in conjunction to swing the clubhead through the ball, it is a must that the golfer understands the importance of the grip. Some professionals have advocated the strong grip while others prefer the weaker grip, but in order for the proper hinging of the hands throughout the swing a neutral grip -where neither side (the lead hand or trailing hand) is more dominant- should be promoted.

The reason is simple. With a strong or weak grip, the hands can not follow the natural path dictated by the laws of physics inherent in the swing. The golfer does not reach the fullest extent of the potential energy created in the backswing because the hands can not hinge and unhinge properly. While this does not stop the golfer from making an adequate pass at the ball, they do not begin to realize the fullest potential that can be achieved if the hands were able to react freely and unrestricted.

By the use of a neutral grip, the hands work together garnering the greatest amount of potential energy that can be converted into kinetic energy while swinging through the ball. This adds to the free flowing swing that is apparent in many of the longest hitters.

It also enhances the feel of the swing as the action is taking place and ensures that the clubhead takes the path of least resistance to reach the fullest potential. Athletic ability and agility also plays a role in a golfer reaching the fullest potential, as when a player ages and the swing becomes a little restricted, but by positioning the hands in a neutral position on the handle of the club, it can limit the differences.

The Beauty of Golf

2009-05-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

It's amazing! Click Here for more.

Relaxing for Distance

2009-05-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

Every golfer would like to achieve a powerful golf swing. Unfortunately, golfers confuse power with swinging the golf club harder. They inherently grip the club tighter causing the muscles in the hands and arms to constrict and thus actually reducing the clubhead speed at the point of impact as well as taking the clubhead off plane.

The key is in recognizing the different aspects of increasing the power of the swing:

A. Gripping the club should be with the fingers not the hands. Hold the club in front of you with the clubhead skyward. Form the grip with your fingers -looking into a mirror you will notice that the first three knuckles are in-line with the last three knuckles of the other hand? By having them in alignment, it allows for the hands to respond to the swinging golf club throughout the swing and reduces any tension. Bring the clubhead down to the ground and your hands are set.

B. Allow the arms to hang freely from the shoulders and avoid creating any tension in this area. Tension will restrict the amount of turning in the upper body and of your body trunk, thus reducing clubhead speed, which limits the distance the ball will travel.

C. The upper body should rotate around an axis at the nape of the neck or top of the spine. To keep this axis centered, the lower spine moves laterally with an upward tilting of the hips -the right hip tilts upward on the backswing, and the left hip tilts upward on the downswing. Any lateral movement of the upper spine will result in inconsistent clubface-to-ball contact and can actually reduce the length of the swing.

These three simple steps should allow you to swing with greater comfort and generate better clubhead speed. The ball will be propelled further and straighter with seemingly less effort. The more relaxed you feel when hitting the ball the more confidence you will gain.

How to Improve Your Game with Simple Golf Exercises

2009-05-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

Golf exercise is a very popular topic these days among all the pros, teachers and even amateurs. It's no secret that if you get your body fitter, stronger and more flexible you will swing better and hit longer drives that produce lower scores.

That's what we all want right? What a feeling to be the longest (and straightest) hitter in your group. Always hitting your approach shot last because you were the furthest down the fairway.

The simplest way to implement golf exercises is to look at the golf swing. First off, it's standing on your feet. Not sitting down, like on a machine in your local gym. So try to do most of your exercises on your feet.

Secondly, you should be in your golf posture; which is a bend forward at the hips, with your knees slightly flexed. Doing exercises in this position will create a very strong, stable golf swing.

A good example of a golf exercise would be the Golf Posture Lateral Raise: Bend forward at hips just beyond normal golf posture. Hold dumbbells in front of your thighs, palms facing each other. Slowly raise dumbbell to the side and up. Slowly bring back down to pre-stretch position.

Do you see how this would quickly build up the strength in the back of your shoulders for a strong take-away and downswing? The only equipment required was a pair of dumbbells (hand weights), which probably cost about $10. No fancy gym. And in the convenience of your home.

This is just one example of a simple golf exercise you can do quickly and conveniently in your home to dramatically transform your game!

Want More Women Golfers…?

2009-05-18T01:40:00.000-07:00

Hire an LPGA Professional
The best way to attract women golfer is to hire a female LPGA Professional. Women already feel uncomfortable in the world of golf where only 15 out of 100 golfers are women. Having a female professional on staff gives the ladies someone to relate to who understands their specific needs.

Know Your Female Customer
Women golfers love to be a fashion statement on the course and like to be catered to. Remember that 80% of purchases are made or influenced by women. It means a great deal to a woman golfer to have a personal and friendly greeting when they walk into your pro shop. Be sure to include female representation on all of your golf committees.

Be Sure Your Course Is Women Friendly
It is very important that your course has multiple sets of tees. Be sure to have at least two sets of tees rated for women. Display photos of famous LPGA Tour Professionals in your pro shop. Stock a large selection of women’s clothing and accessories.

Make It More Then Golf
Offer a social time before or after ladies golf leagues. Try to include a wine tasting, card party, cookie exchange etc.

The Power of Promotion
Women like “a deal.” Offer two-for-one specials or 10%-off discounts on lessons, merchandise and golf. During Ladies Day or in conjunction with a ladies league be sure to offer different promotions each week, such as balloon sales, trivia contests, guest days, lesson offerings and holiday promotions.

Don’t Forget the Mirrors
For women, trying on clothing is a must. Be sure to have a well lighted dressing room that includes a full-length mirror and a chair for women to place their belongings on. Mirrors should be strategically placed near hats, jewelry and other impulse items.

Help Them Find a Partner
Post a sign-up sheet so that women can “find a partner.” Maintain a database of women golfers so that you can contact them, and they can contact others.

Instruction for Women Only
Offer “women only” clinics. Include lessons about etiquette, rules and golf terms for the “new” golfer. Use key words, such as “no pressure,” “no experience necessary,” “for fun,” and “meet other women.”

Fashion Shows and Demo Days
Schedule demo days or fashion shows targeted specifically to women golfers around tournaments or events for women. Have your female professional handy to give tips and advice on what clothing or clubs might be best for them. Offer demo day promotions, such as a free pair of shoes with the purchase of a set of clubs.

Say Thank You
Be sure to use comment cards to encourage feedback and opinions from female golfers. Saying “thank you” is especially appreciated by women. If you receive a comment card with an address, go the extra mile and send a handwritten note.

How Incredibly Easy To Improve Your Basic Golf Swing

2009-05-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

There are plenty of golf books and videos available these days showing you step by step to improve your basic golf swing but the basics are really basic. Actually, one of the simple and easy ways to make your swing get better is by practicing a lot. Even though there are lots of great and useful tips in many books and videos in the market, it is still useless for improving your basic golf swing if you do not keep on practicing.

In fact, the more you practice the better chance you can make a good shot. However, if you do the basic golf swing incorrect, it surely cannot help you improve no matter how many times you practice. It simply wastes your time and effort. In contrary, many people who have been playing for quite a long time and can manage the basics well enough; they simply learn how to make the little adjustments that can help them to make their golf game much better.

However, many golf newbie keep on following every new trend in order to find some tips which can help them improve their basic golf game more. But the main point is that they may have already managed to make a good shot correctly. Hence, if you can concentrate on what you are doing in your swing and keep on practicing more, you can easily find some remarkable changes in your swing.

Furthermore, all golf pros know that the key point of improving their game is practice. It is still the same for the average golfers too. Many books and videos that teach you how to improve your golf swing also emphasize the idea of practice makes perfect. Also, most of them give you more or less the same advice.

In short, in case you get some good golf instruction on your basic golf swing, try to make sure that you do it correctly so that you can really improve your swing a lot through practicing repeatedly. You will then start to notice which area you can improve and what you need to do if you are not playing well enough. Even though it is not as easy as the books and the videos mention it would be, at least you realize that your golf game will keep on improving by getting better and better with your effort and determination. You can then have great performance in your golf games.

Maxim Golf Babe

2009-05-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

I have no idea who this is. But she's holding a golf club, and that's good enough for me.

Guide to Buy Used Golf Clubs for Beginner Golfer

2009-05-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

If you are just starting out to play golf, you should never buy a new golf club set immediately as you may discover that this game is not for you later on. Furthermore, you are yet to find the type of golf clubs that fits you during the learning stage. The good choice is to start with cheap used golf clubs. And here are some guidelines to help you to hunt down your first used golf club set:

Golf Rental Clubs

First, you may want to play with the rental clubs at a driving range. During this time, don't be afraid to ask your friends or other golfers to try their clubs on the range. This is a good opportunity for you to judge which type of clubs is right for you. After hitting for a period of time at the driving range and you think it is time to buy your own clubs, and then ....rely on golf experts.

When you go out to buy used golf clubs, you should always rely on people who know golf equipment well. You can look for your local pro at your local municipal course as a source of information and advice. Or you can consult the experts at the golf shop or even your friend who plays well or who knows anything about golf clubs. Alternatively, you can search the Internet for used golf club reviews. You can always ask people for advice but keep in mind that what suits them may not necessary prove good in your hands. Therefore, it is more important to identify the golf club set that suitable to your ability yourself.

Golf Beginner's Half Set

As a novice golfer, you are advised to learn with a half set of clubs with all matching iron of the same model. The half-set could be made up from a few combinations of clubs. In general, the half set combination consists of five iron clubs, including 4, 6, 8, pitching wedge and sand iron, in addition to 3 and 5 woods plus a putter. The driver is not recommended in the beginner's half set because it is the hardest club to control. Majority of beginners would achieve better results using a 3 wood on the tee box.

Likewise, 1, 2 or 3 irons should be avoided at the early stages of the game, as each of these long irons requires an accurate strike from the middle of the club face with plenty of club heads speed in order to achieve good results. In contrast, a 5 wood with distance almost equivalent of the 2 iron - the ball can still travel a fair distance despite being hit off-center. Besides, a lofted wood is more forgiving than the thin blade of an iron club heads.

The half set combination not only sufficient for most novice golfers on the golf course for every situation but also makes club selection much easier. It is a good combination of clubs to help the novice to improve their swing technique until they are good enough before they advance to the full set golf clubs. Therefore, you have to make sure to select a golf model for your half set from a reputable manufacturer that can be added to at a later stage.

Golf Feels

The best way to purchase a used golf clubs is to actually hold them in your hand and swing them to get a feel for what you want. The feel of a golf club clearly seems to be all-important. But, what is 'feel'? There is no scientific formula that defines it. In general, feel can be described as the way a golfer feels a club when he or she swings it depends on its swing weight and the flexibility of its shaft.

Iron Club Head

Look for club head that made of stainless steel and avoid inexpensive alloy heads. For beginner, you should select the 'heel-and-toe' (or, perimeter-weighted) club head design, cavity backed (hollowed out in the back) and over-sized golf club. You should get bigger club heads because they are more forgiving with enlarges 'sweet spot' that can produce maximum distance even with off-center contacts.

Golf Shafts

Graphite shafts is ideal for beginner even though it is more expensive that steel shafts. Its lighter overall weight allows beginner to swing the club faster even with enlarged club head.

Golf Grips

If you have purchased used golf clubs where the condition of the grips could be less than perfect or the grips don't fit properly for you, then make sure you replace them. Grips are fairly easy and inexpensive to change by a pro or club repairman. Ensure all the grips are replaced with same size and design.

Finally, if you are just starting out with golf, chances are your swing is more likely to let you down rather than the golf clubs itself. It is important to try out the golf clubs before buying them in order to find a golf club set that suits your swing, body and game. Most importantly, makes you feel confident when you use it.

Golf Technology

2009-05-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Much has been written about the impact that technology is having on the golf industry. It's a complicated issue that affects all segments of the industry - equipment manufacturers, tour professionals, amateur golfers, course designers, course owners, daily-fee courses, country clubs, tournament hosts, golf associations - and many others.

So, where are we going, what is being done, what can be done, what should be done? Although the answers to these questions are not going to happen overnight, they are worth discussing.

Technology has effectively created a larger gap between better players and average amateurs than there has ever been. However, technology alone is not to blame for this. There are many other factors at play that have contributed, including better fitness, nutrition, training and instruction.

I believe that better instruction - specifically the emergence of the video analysis - has contributed as much, if not more, than technology. Hi-tech analysis of the swing, which teachers like David Leadbetter pioneered a decade ago, has shown us what really happens during the swing and has allowed golfer's to achieve much better mechanics and much better matching of equipment to an individual's swing.

If you look at the swing mechanics of PGA Tour players today, they are far superior to what they were twenty years ago. The real proof is at the collegiate level today, where you have players that have never known anything but modern teaching methods - they didn't have to re-learn and dispose of bad habits that some of the older PGA Tour pros have had to do over the past years. These players, as they hit the professional ranks in the next few years, will display a level of swing mechanics that has never before been seen.

They will also be in better physical shape given the current (and future) training methods involving weight training/conditioning and stretching.

The next wave of professionals will also have much more competitive experience at an early age due to the development of numerous tournament organizations over the past few decades. And, since golf has become a "cool" sport for young people, you have better athletes participating at a young age. Years ago, the best athletes in high school rarely played golf - today, some of the best teenage athletes are skipping out on football, basketball and baseball and focus on golf full time.

The convergence of all of these factors - technology, instruction and fitness - has, and is going to, produce golfers that will achieve unprecedented levels in the years to come.

I believe the single most important thing that can be done to level the playing field among professionals, where today the "bangers" have the biggest advantage, is for the USGA to set a minimum spin rate on the golf ball that is much higher than what balls are achieving today.

There have been golfers in every generation that were capable of achieiving swing speeds in excess of 120 mph, which is where Tiger Woods, John Daly and many others are. However, they had a difficult time controlling the flight of their ball, and it's accuracy, because the balls spun a lot more. I'm sure that you will be reading a lot more about this subject in the coming years.

Until then, feel free to add your own thoughts on how you believe technology is affecting the game.