Yes. A good golf bag is very  important to a golfer. Just imagine trying to play golf without a bag. The mind boggles.
Imagine lugging all that equipment, clubs, tees, balls, towels clothing etc. without a  golf bag!.

Golf bags come in many styles and a wide variety of colors. You can choose a bag for style, features or pick a color to match your mood but whichever you choose choose carefully because then it will become a friend.

All golf bags have compartments where the golf clubs are to be placed and some have tubes to protect the club grips. These are nice to have. With the tubes, a golfer can get his or her clubs out easier. The clubs are never tangled up, and the grips last a lot longer. .

Another important factor in choosing a golf bag is the number of pockets it has. Frankly, there’s no such thing as too many pockets in a golf bag. First, one of the pockets will be used to hold the golf bag’s hood. The hood is used to keep the clubs and bag from getting drenched when it rains. Another pocket will be used to keep extra towels (believe it or not, extra towels are important in the summer to keep the sweat off the brow and out of the eyes, along with keeping the hands relatively dry). Then, there is the pocket used for
keeping the extra golf tees and possibly the divot tool. Finally, a pocket is needed for the golf balls themselves, and it doesn’t hurt to have a pocket to carry another dozen balls in,  just in case you lose a lot of balls during 18-holes of play. . These are the minimum required but you should also consider where you would put that bottle of water and even perhaps the odd snack.

Some golf bags have legs that fold out when they are placed on the ground and stand upright so the golfer doesn’t have to bend down and pick it up. That’s a nice feature ,especially if the golfer tends to walk the course, as many do. There is plenty of bending to be done when a golfer is trying to remove an obstacle from around his or her ball, or to get the ball out of the cup, so any way to avoid  more bending is more than appreciated, particularly perhaps by the older players. So keep this in mind too when choosing your bag.

Golf clubs also come in many weights. Leather ones were very popular once but, though hardwearing and often good looking, could be very heavy even before loading them with all that equipment. Modern materials have generally taken over now and can be smart, practical and hardwearing but a lot lighter. Just another consideration to think about when buying that bag

 So, golf bags are an essential part of the game of golf and need to be chosen with care to make your round of golf easier,less tiring and more pleasant in many ways.  Enjoy.

I know some of you have even threatened to quit the game all together!

If your frustration has gotten you to the point of tossing your clubs, I think you should consider going here…

 ”The PurePoint Golf Swing”

http://www.trker.com/go/47750/NTG

Bobby Eldridge has come out with a DVD video series that simplifies the golf swing so that it’s easy to play the game… without the frustration!

He’s got a lot of formerly-frustrated golfers that sing his praises, and if you’re frustrated, then for $72, it’s hard not to give his “Simple Golf Swing” a try.

What I like about his DVD Series online is that if it winds up to be a bunch of hype, then you can just send an email and get your money back… they’re fair guys that stand by their word. 

So, give Bobby’s DVD a look-see and see if you think what I think… his video is one of the best golf values on the Web.

Click below to Go To “The PurePoint Golf Swing”

http://www.trker.com/go/47750/NTG

Lose that frustration asap!

Norm

An American golfer playing in Ireland hooked his drive into the woods.

Looking for his ball, he found a little Leprechaun flat on his back, a big bump on his head and the golfer’s ball beside him.

Horrified, the golfer got his water bottle from the cart and poured it over the little guy, reviving him.

“Arrgh!  What happened?” the Leprechaun asked.

“I’m afraid I hit you with my golf ball,” the golfer says.

“Oh, I see.  Well, ye got me fair and square. Ye get three wishes, so whaddya want?”

“Thank God, you’re all right!” the golfer answers in relief. “I don’t want anything. I ‘m just glad you’re OK, and I apologize.”  And the golfer walks off.

“What a nice guy,” the Leprechaun says to himself.  I have to do something for him. I’ll give him the three things I would want….a great golf game, all the money he ever needs, and a fantastic sex life.”

A year goes by (as it does in stories like this) and the American golfer is back.

On the same hole, he again hits a bad drive into the woods and the Leprechaun is there waiting for him.

“Twas me that made ye hit the ball here,” the little guy says. “I just want to ask ye, how’s yer golf game?”

“My game is fantastic!” the golfer answers.  I’m an internationally famous golfer now.” He adds, “By the way, it’s good to see you’re all right.”

“Oh, I’m fine now, thankye.  I did that fer yer golf game, you know. And tell me, how’s yer money situation?”

“Why, it’s just wonderful!” the golfer states. When I need cash, I just reach in my pocket and pull out $100.00 bills I didn’t even know were there!”

“I did that fer ye also.  And tell me, how’s yer sex life?”

The golfer blushes, turns his head away in embarrassment,  and says shyly, “It’s OK.”

“C’mon, c’mon now,” urged the Leprechaun, “I’m wanting to know if I did a good job. How many times a week?”

Blushing even more, the golfer looks around then whispers, “Once, sometimes twice a week.”

“What??” responds the Leprechaun in shock.

“That’s all?  Only once or twice a week?”

Well,” says the golfer, “I figure that’s not bad for a Catholic priest in a small parish.”

First and foremost, take your time when shopping for golf shoes.  Put them on and walk around in them to make sure they feel good on your feet and that you can move about without any restraints or discomfort. 

Feet do expand, so when you go to shop for your golf shoes, do so after walking for about 20 minutes or so.  It’s for this reason specifically that it’s better to shop for golf shoes – or any shoes for that matter – in the afternoon rather than in the morning.

When you shop for your golf shoes, you should wear the style of socks that you would normally wear on the golf course.  This way, you will know you will be comfortable on the golf course while wearing your golf shoes and not have to worry about discomfort during your backswing.

There are all types of golf shoes available these days.  No longer are you restricted to oxford-style.  Manufacturers are now making golf sandals, golf boots, and even golf shoes that really resemble tennis shoes.  The cleats on these types of shoes can be quite different so be sure that when you buy a golf shoe, it’s going to give you the results that you are looking for. You want to look for cleats that will give you a good grip and so increase your stability when you swing.

Depending on your budget, you will be able to find golf shoes in all sorts of different price ranges.  The general rule of thumb is that you should buy the best pair of golf shoes that you can possibly afford.  If you go for the cheapest pair, you will probably have to replace them within a short period of time.  However, if you can afford the extra twenty dollars, go ahead and upgrade just a bit and have them last just a bit longer.

Golf shoes may not be first and foremost on your mind when you are thinking about what you need to be a good golfer, but the right pair of golf shoes can really make a difference in your golf game.  You want to be comfortable, you want to have stability, but most of all, you want to look good – now don’t you?  Seriously, though, find a good pair of golf shoes and then put them to use on the links.  Then see how much difference they make when you are swinging your club on the first tee!

Basically, there are three types of balls:  balata, two-piece, or a combination of both.  Golf balls are constructed with three types of purposes in mind as well:  distance, spin, and control.  Choosing an appropriate golf ball really depends on what you are looking for in your golf game.

Are you a low handicap player looking for great spin and control?  If so, choose a balata golf ball.  This is just a softer ball that has a softer cover and allows for more spin.  This is the ball that most professionals choose.  They are also more expensive than other balls.

Perhaps you have a higher handicap and are looking for more distance and durability.  This is where a good two-piece ball will be best.  This golf ball has a harder cover which creates less backspin allowing you to hit it further.

Some golf balls are designed for slower swing speeds with a lightweight construction that catches air.  They are generally marketed for women or seniors, but plenty of men will play these balls because it gets them extra distance.

Believe it or not the weather you are playing in can make a difference in which golf ball you use.  Course conditions can also dictate golf ball choice.  Let’s say the course has been deluged with rain.  In this case, you will need a ball that will travel father and produces less spin.  If you are playing on a rock hard, sun-scorched track, choose something softer that will land soft and spin.

Look at the temperature as well.  Balls for men come in two compressions – 90 and 100.  When you hit the ball, the ball compresses.  Therefore the 90 compression ball will be softer than the 100.  If it’s cold, the ball will not compress as much so you will want to play a 90 compression golf ball.  If it’s hot out, you will want to opt for the 100 compression.

In general, two piece balls are going to give you more distance and they will be more durable so they will last longer.  Solid core golf balls will offer less trajectory and can spin for better accuracy.  Even the dimples on the ball can have an effect on your game.  Smaller dimples lessen trajectory while larger dimples increase it.

Choosing the right golf ball really is important to playing a good game.  There are many, many choices on the market.  Explore which golf ball you may want to use and then try it out.  Experiment and in time, you’ll find exactly the right golf ball for you.

With new technologies in golf club designs and materials used to make the clubs, you can get overwhelmed at the various choices you will have when buying golf equipment.

Your golf clubs can really make a difference in how well you play the game of golf.  New advancements in golf club technologies make lighter, bigger, and better golf clubs available to the experienced as well as inexperienced golfer.  How do you know what to look for in golf clubs?

For the novice golfer, the basic set of golf clubs consists of drivers, wedges, putters and irons. Using the proper type of golf club will help the beginner learn quickly and achieve results. Each different type of club is designed to help with swing speed and to correct faults to improve your game – and your score.

You must take into consideration the style, size, and type of material used to make the golf club shaft. One of the less expensive materials is steel. Golf clubs with a steel shaft weigh more but can be longer-lasting than other types. The steel shaft may also give you more control over those fast swings. If you choose a graphite shaft, it will be lighter than steel but will be more costly. This type of club is used for long distance shots or for slower swingers.   Most golf clubs are available with both steel and graphite shafts.

Keep in mind that graphite shafts will not only be lighter and easier to handle, they will also be more forgiving if you have a bad shot.  They absorb vibration and allow for a much better feeling shot.  Plus, you will pick up some distance because the speed of the swing will be greater due to the lighter materials.
The flexibility of a shaft is referred to as flex, or bend. The less the bend in a shaft, the more control the powerful swinger will have. On the other hand, beginners and those with less powerful swings generally use a shaft with greater flexibility. The average swing speed is from 65 miles per hour for the beginner up to over 100 miles per hour for powerful swingers.

When it comes to selecting a golf club driver, especially as a beginner, you will probably want one with a head made out of titanium.  Titanium is stronger, denser, and lighter than steel so the club head can be made larger with the same amount of materials.  The advantage to having a large head driver is there is a larger “sweet spot” giving you more area to hit the ball with.  With this type of golf club head, the club will be much more forgiving if you miss hit the ball or have a bad shot.

The goal when buying golf clubs should be to own the best golf clubs you can afford, whether they are name brands, used, or a reproduction of one of the name brands.

A couple made a deal that whoever died first would come back and inform the other of the afterlife.
Their biggest fear was that there was no afterlife.

After a long life together, the husband was the first to die.
True to his word, he made contact,
 ”Connie… Connie.”
“Is that you, Joe?”
“Yes, I’ve come back like we agreed.”
“That’s wonderful! What’s it like?”
“Well, I get up in the morning, I have sex. I have breakfast and then it’s off to the golf course. I have sex again, bathe in the warm sun and then have sex a couple of more times.
Then I have lunch (you’d be proud – lots of greens) another romp around the golf course, then pretty much have sex the rest of the afternoon. After supper, it’s back to the golf course again. Then it’s more sex until late at night. I catch some much needed sleep, and then the next day it starts all over again.”

“Oh, Joe you surely must be in Heaven!”

“Not exactly… I’m a rabbit on a golf course in Arizona.”  

Let me know if you were amused too.

 Hazards may come in different forms such as trees, high cut grass areas, sand bunkers and water which all serve as a deterrent to getting the balls into the holes.

These hazardous areas are the most feared on the part of the golfers because it is assumed that if a golfer’s ball has fallen into one of the hazards, it may make a difference in winning the game or not.

 The Rough is one such hazard and is that part of the golf course where the grass stands slightly taller than that at the fairway, or the area in which the grass is even maintained uncut. Many players, particularly those new to the game, have problems here so a clean straight tee shot onto the fairway becomes very important.

 Bunkers, also known as “sand traps,” are another one of the hazardous areas on the golf course. As its other name suggests, bunkers are burrows that are usually full of sand.

 Here, the player will have a difficult time playing his best shot in the game. This is because golf balls are hard to control and manipulate when in the sand.

As a rule, players are not allowed to touch the ground, which is still a part of a hazard, using a club. Hence, beginners must know this rule by heart or else they might not be able to finish the game.

 Water hazards are typically small bodies of water that are incorporated in the golf course like ponds, lakes, etc. Usually, water hazards are placed between the hole and the “tee-off”.

These water hazards, like the bunkers, are also considered one of the most hazardous areas in the golf course. This is because once the ball has landed on/in the water hazard, there is a possibility that the overall performance of the player’s game will be affected. There are several rules which govern what you can and can’t do if this happens to you so it is as well to be prepared.

 Basically, even if the ball has landed in the water hazard, the player can still opt to play the next stroke if it is accessible provided that the player hits the ball as it is.

 If in the event that the ball is considered lost, and this particular issue is a subject of numerous debates on the course, the player may hit another ball that can either be played from the area where the ball was previously hit before it hit the water hazard or by dropping another ball from behind the water hazard.

 In reality, there are many rules that govern the cases of water hazards. However, the rules mentioned here are the basic rules in water hazards, so it can be very useful especially to those who are planning to start their career in golf.

Indeed, the performance of a player, despite his stroke and style, can be upset by obstacles like the water hazards and the bunkers. Hence, it can be concluded that a golf player should try with all his might to avoid these hazardous areas as much as possible.

I hope this short course will have helped you a bit towards the understanding of this game of golf and where it is played.

Come back to read more interesting information to expand your knowledge and, hopefully, your interest and pleasure in what many consider the best of sports!

Sounds boring? 

It’s not because the most interesting – and best – bit is that you get the question one day and the answer the next.

This gives you time to think what you would have done in a particular situation or to try to find the answer from the rule book.

It certainly gets the grey cells working overtime as there are some real  posers.

The answer comes with the next question on the following day.

Take a look yourself.  Go to…

http://www.RulesOfGolfQuiz.com

and I’m sure you will be as ‘hooked’ as I am.

So let’s look at the golf course in more detail as it is designed primarily to take on all the activities related to golfing.

The land area where golf is played consists of several holes, usually from 9 to 18 holes, which the player has eventually to get the hit ball into. The player who gets the ball into these “holes” with the least number of ’shots’ wins the game.

There is no typical size for a golf environment for each golf course is designed to compliment the lie of the land and the management’s own liking. Golf Course designers are highly respected and often become quite famous.

An 18-hole golf area ideally has about 140 acres which is translated to 57 hectares. The relative distances of tees are characteristically longer for men than for women (5,900 to 6,400 meters for men and 4,000 to 5,000 meters for women).

The golf course is specifically engineered to have all of the following playing areas

Let’s look at the main three sections…

The Tee

One of the main components of golf is the tee. Golf tees are those little things used as stands to hold the golf ball during the player’s “first stroke” in each hole and come in a variety of styles and sizes.

 ‘Tee’ is also used unofficially to refer to the area from which the player hits his or her primary stroke. It is formally known as the “teeing ground”. Such that when a player is said to play on the golf course’ ninth hole, the player is said to play from the “ninth tee” to the “ninth green”.

Consequently, the first shot hit by the player from a “teeing ground” is known as a tee shot. For lengthy holes, tee shots can be done using a driver; while for shorter holes, it is best to use an iron.

The Fairway

 The next area of the course, where the grass is cut shorter- almost to the ground – to provide every ball a good playing area, is known as the fairway.

The fairway is the the short grass that provides a clean stretch between the tee and the putting green and where various hazards are to be found, usually on the perimeters. The fairway is often not straight either so that it taxes the player’s skill even more. This is called a “dog leg”

The Green

An area called a “green” is usually the area surrounding each hole on the course. This area, where the grass is cut so low that it causes less restriction to the ball, is at the end of the fairway.

Golfers are very choosy of the golf course where they want to play. They don’t like playing on courses where the greens are not as good as possible That is why keepers of the greens implement a lot of methods to make sure expert care is given and golfers play golf without being annoyed.

There are many problems that resemble a nightmare if not dealt with efficiently and promptly. One aspect that is very important in keeping a good green is the drainage. Although, this is often overlooked, it is a vital part in keeping the green playable, especially during rainy seasons.

There is a great challenge in keeping a healthy looking fairway and green for the whole golf course. Keepers are also very knowledgeable and dedicated to maintaining a good course. A good green keeper is well respected and much sought after.

Next time we will look at the more dangerous parts of a golf course… The Hazards!