Golf Grip Tricks

Whenever most golfers are having difficulties with their gameplay and are also attempting to dissect where those troubles are caused by, they typically take a look at their golf swings over and over again and forget to consider the golfing grip at all. Of course, the swing movement has a tendency to make a lot of problems with our handicap, even so the grip is really overlooked, and it turns out that many problems can be solved by making slight modifications on the grip. The mission of this informative article is to offer you some good golf grip strategies to help your game rise to the next level.

Firstly, it is crucial to make sure you are choosing an overlap or interlock type grip. This may appear clear, however, many golf players have trouble with feeling cozy using the interlock or overlap grip and resort back to the ten finger golf grip, and it will only bring about more troubles. It's okay to have different grips when chipping and also putting, nonetheless for the long game I strongly recommend the overlap or interlock grips. They support greater energy as well as total control and feel.

Next, you should have ideal placement with the right and left hands so the club is square at impact. For right handed golfers, your left hand is extremely important for figuring out the shape of the golf ball flight. Switching the left hand just a bit towards your right (back) foot as a way to see more of your knuckles will cause your golf grip to get stronger. The tendency is usually to bring or hook the golf ball utilizing this sort of grip. Furthermore, with the left hand turned more to the left (front) foot it is possible to strike more of a fade or slice. The right hand is crucial for ball flight as well. By simply changing the right hand to your front foot you'll be able to open up the clubface a little bit and also create a fade, whereas by twisting it towards your back foot might cause you to hit a draw.

The next key hint for this post is not gripping the golf club very tightly. This is a quite typical mistake by first-timers simply because they assume that once they strangle the club they're going to have a lot more energy and the ball can travel farther. Actually, the opposite is likely to be true. The more tightly you grip the club the less control you might have with your hands, and that normally brings about terrible ball contact that will cause your distance and accuracy with any kind of club to suffer.

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Golf Fitness Training Aids Improve Golf Drive Distance

I've always said, your body swings the club, so fix it, to have more power and distance. Golf fitness training aids are now coming onto the golf improvement scene. Golfers should take notice, as some of them are very good. The more specific you can get to your swing mechanics and motion, the better when it comes to aids. When you can replicate the athletic movement with resistance you can speed up your results. We call that sport-specific training.

Fitness professionals are now utilizing training devices, tools and gadgets with their golf clients. As a trainer, the more you can bring to the table in your sessions, the longer you will have that client, and they will see results. Personal trainers who specialize in golf exercises and stretching should be incorporating swing aids that improve strength and flexibility. One of the quickest ways to add power, and reduce injuries is strengthening and stretching the body with specific movements, similar to, if not exactly the same as the golf swing.

In the gym, I'll see golfers attempting to do golf swing movements, but most of the times they are actually risking injury, as they are not doing it correctly. That's where a fitness professional who has a background in golf, can use devices in the gym to safely improve the golfers drive distance, consistency, and eliminate overuse injuries.

So next time you hear the term fitness, don't run...actually pay attention and maybe you'll be able to apply something to your game that will make a difference. For years I've been writing articles like these stating the importance of working out specific to golf, but the majority of golfers won't do it. I don't know if they are in denial or what, but maybe it's just they are too lazy to exercise for a whopping 10-15 minutes a day in the comfort of their home. Go figure!

If you're not happy with how far you drive the golf ball, or maybe you're in pain, I want you to start having a mindset of fitness as part of your golf improvement, training program. Not grueling, agonizing workouts, but fun, golf-specific training that will give you nearly instant results if you're consistent with it. You only get out if it, what you put into it.

I really want you to realize it's only a few minutes a day, in your home to longer golf drives, and a healthier body for years to come.

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Is The Golf Ball The Real Reason For Longer Drives ?

A Little History First

To determine this point, we have to travel back in time and see how the original golf ball was formed.

The original golf balls as most of us know, were made from goose feathers stuffed into a round leather ball. It is estimated that those could be hit as far as 170 yards with the modern club.

The next technological advance was the gutta percha ball. This was made from tree sap or rubber and compressed into a round mould. A modern club can hit this about 200 yards on average.

The Haskell method was to improve the ball construction, by having a soft core, and winding thin rubber around this core. This ball can be hit around the 225 to 250 yard range.

Further advances saw the introduction of a liquid core with a soft balata cover. However the ball became misshapen after several hits on it. It is rumoured that the great Ben Hogan passed his golf balls through a metal ring to check for roundness.

The modern golf ball has taken several leaps forward from those days. This golf ball is mainly made with a surlyn or a urethane cover, which offers the same feel as a balata covered ball.

Surlyn® is a synthetic, highly resilient, durable material that is used in the majority of golf balls in the industry. This material provides for a golf ball that will stand up to the durability test that the avid golfer demands, while allowing many different options for spin & distance combinations. Could last for many rounds of golf, assuming that you did not lose the golf ball first.

The core is formed with a mixture of polybutediene and other compounds to give this soft core. Over the past four years, golf ball technology has evolved from a primarily wound-ball construction to the solid core/two piece construction to the double-core/four piece construction.

The distances achieved with this ball can be in excess of 300 yards.

But Is That all There Is To It ?

No, there are still a few more key points to understand, like dimples, the affect of spin, compression, storage conditions, and the rules that govern golf ball construction.

How do dimple patterns affect the flight/trajectory of a golf ball?

Dimples provide the lift needed to get a ball airborne. Without them a golf ball's performance would be severely restricted. Golf balls come in a variety of different dimple patterns. Some promote a higher flight trajectory that many golfers need, while others promote a lower, more piercing trajectory. In general though, balls with deeper dimples will tend to have a lower trajectory. Deeper dimples create more turbulence in the boundary layer, which makes it more difficult for air to flow over the ball creating less lift. Those with shallower dimples typically will generate a higher trajectory.

Dimple pattern - the dimple pattern on a golf ball does not affect the spin, it creates the aerodynamic lift that allows a spinning ball to remain in the air longer. Varying the dimple size also affects the aerodynamics of a ball. By matching the dimple pattern and the construction of a ball, manufacturers can optimise the resulting trajectory for both distance and control.

It is the combination of the lift and drag properties of the ball, as well as its speed, launch angle and spin rate, which will dictate the flight path or trajectory of the ball, and thus the distance it will go.

A perfectly smooth golf ball with no dimples would travel about 130 yards when hit with a driver by a good player. On the other hand, a ball with well-designed dimples, struck the same way, will travel about 290 yards.

Dimple design has changed significantly over time, from random patterns, to formal rows, to interstitial designs. The depth, shape and number have all been varied and tested.

Spin Rate

A golf ball's spin rate refers to the speed it spins on an axis while in flight, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Spin rate off a driver generally ranges between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, while the average, cleanly struck wedge shot spins at about 10,000 rpm.

Spin generates lift, thus a shot's spin rate directly influences how high the ball flies and how quickly it stops after landing. Beyond the manufacturer's hype, there are real differences in ball construction affecting driving distance, approach control, putting roll, balance and cost.

Modern balls are made to very high standards of consistency and quality.

In driver shots, an excessive amount of spin will cause the ball to soar, resulting in a loss of distance. Too little spin will prevent lift and reduce carry. Keeping the amount of spin at an appropriate level and hitting shots that trace ideal parabolic paths are the formula for maximizing distance.

The manufacturer can affect the spin rate with a variety of methods. The main way appears to be by having a larger softer core, which in turn provides more spin less distance. Another method is to have the soft core encased in a mantle cover. This cover can be harder and thicker. The more flexible this cover the more spin.

Compression

Compression of a golf ball gradually became more of feel thing
In the end the constant high quality of 2-piece balls made compression as a quality index obsolete

Today the term compression is used in combination with a number ranging from 0 to 200. This figure tells us by how much a golf ball is deformed under a compressive force.

Although this term is now becoming obsolete it is still important to understand the importance of compression with regards to a golfer's swing.

As golf balls are mass produced, all 3-piece balls and some 2-piece balls are measured by their compression and rated accordingly.

In order to do so balls are pressured with a standard weight. A ball, which does not deform is rated Compression 200, a ball that lets itself be deformed by 2/10 of an inch or more is rated Compression 0.

Standard Compression rate of a golf ball is 90 or 100. The lower the Compression rate the softer the feel. Most balls are subject to a rating by compression.

Surveys have shown that low speed swing players should use a ball with a Compression rate of 80. Average speed swing players should use Compression 100 and high speed swing players Compression 110.

However, new golf balls do not have an actual number, and prefer to say low spin rate or long distance. So read the label as they say.

How long can a golf ball last under normal storage conditions?

Under normal storage conditions (70-80 degrees Fahrenheit) a golf ball can last forever. However, it must be understood that certain factors can affect a ball's overall performance.

Golf balls can lose their performance characteristics in cases of extreme heat or cold, and their construction is such that even under normal storage conditions, there can be a loss of performance over time.

But Is It The Ball Or The Club That Provides The Distance?

There are of course many factors, which have a direct impact on increased driving distance over the past 2 decades. Such factors as fitness, materials, courses, and technique, have helped increase the driving distance over the years.

Every manufacturer has developed a golf ball which has specific characteristic built in, whether it is distance, spin or mixture of both. The manufacturer is able to do, as they want to the ball. The Trend is going to a balance between spin (rpm) and higher launch angle and hence more distance.

Tests were carried out by Nick Faldo using a modern golf driver, on a gutta percha ball, and the ball did not travel more than 150 yards.

When he used an old wooden golf club, and a modern golf ball, the ball travelled more than 260 yards.

This showed that the modern golf ball is definitely the key to distance.

Conclusion

Golf balls are distance balls, constructed to stop quickly on the green, with less of the risk of slice or hook into trouble that a pure spin ball brings. Recent advances in construction technology are spawning a new breed of balls that can do it all, such as the Titleist ProV1, and Callaway Hex.

SLOW SWING (often called Ladies or Senior) balls are designed to optimise driving distance for less powerful players with slower club head speeds.

Most balls are imperfectly balanced and thus do not putt completely true. Premium quality balls may be manufactured to higher quality control standards and thus less likely to randomly wander off track.

Try to find out which modern affordable golf ball meets your style of play. It is better to play consistently with a ball you can afford than to play competitions with a premium ball that you cannot afford to practice with. Balls with cuts or used until no longer spherical add nothing to your game. Better to play an affordable ball and replace it regularly.

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Golf Putter Types - Conventional, Belly Or Long?

When it comes to selecting a putter there are 3 main golf putter types, which are the conventional putter, belly putter and long putter. So how do you decide which one is the best for you?

The conventional type of golf putter is the preferred choice for most golfers. It comes up to waist height, which is the perfect length for your natural arm hang when you are looking over the line of the ball.

Conventional putters tend to be much simpler to use and they make it much easier to master your golf putting performance, than belly or long putters. This is because the shorter length shaft allow for the perfect mix of feel and mechanical precision.

Unfortunately a lot of golfers suffer from too much wrist action in their putting stroke, which is a killer for putting consistency. This is because the hands are close together on the grip, so if they are not working as one unit it can result in a break down of either wrist action.

This is one of the main reasons for the invention of the belly and long golf putter types, another reason it to help solve back problems.

The belly type of putter style is basically a longer version of the conventional putter, but reaches belly height instead of just waist height. This extra length helps you to adopt a good putting posture and will minimize any wrist action in the putting stroke because the hands are separated.

The downside to the extra length of these golf putter types is that is will reduce feel and feedback. It will also tend to make judging distances a little more complicated.

The long type of golf putter comes up to your chest or abdomen. Its length makes your posture almost completely upright, which is ideal for golfers with back complaints. It also helps you to produce the preferred pendulum style putting stroke and almost completely remove any wrist action.

The downside to these types of golf putters is that as the shaft is even longer than the belly type of putter, you feel and distance control is reduced even more.

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Golf Tips For Putting - Starter's Guide

As you could probably imagine, a golf game is more exciting once you have improved your putting skills. It may seem impossible to some, but by simply working and practicing it out can improve you even more. Learn all the things that need to be done, while practicing your mastery skills in golfing. Take note that an excellent skill can ultimately change an average into a long shot! So take time to go out for a practice in putting which is known to be important. Below are the golf tips for putting that you may follow.

The first thing you must do is to practice for your improvement. You still need certain skills while undergoing on a practice. However, the general rule is to bear in mind three specific things. You must follow these things to get the best golfing game in just a short span of time. The first consideration in order to improve golf swing is to make for a proper swing. Thus, you need to be in contact with the ball. It should meet the middle most party of the club head. Be sure to have a deadly look when at the center to master the putting skill. You may not hit the ball on the side of the club head, likewise, do not expect of it to go straight. Although you spent more time on practice, it can be impossible to achieve it while you become madly frustrated that you're doing wrong.

When you improve of hitting the ball at the center, you need to hit it straightly at the target. The ball can walk its way towards the lake, but still you don't just want it to move pointing on the tree. This may be a bit strange, but people don't take this approach seriously. They kept on wondering and standing as to why they miss their shot. If you also get busy, it may change your putting skills because the golf ball does not go to where it must go.

In addition to golf tips for putting, there's a need to practice at this point for several times. Many people find themselves not closer at the center of the target. Yet, the slight difference in the target may still result on a missed shot as well as increased handicap. Probably work to improve golf swing by taking plenty of time on practicing. This putting skill can be practiced at home, bedroom or at your office with the aid of a home putting kit. On the other hand, setting off on the driving range won't help you so better to avoid them while you're working on the golf tips for putting.

The last skill which you need to improve golf swing is to accelerate the club head when you're in contact onto the ball. Other players find it mistakenly as they slow down the club before hitting the ball. It would only let you lose the right momentum in order to make a target for the ball. Work on your best effort in order not to slow it down as it's insufficient to improve your putting skill. Your effort counts a lot to get for improved results!

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Best Golf Books By David Leadbetter

Enjoy and learn from some of the best golf books written by the man who's pupils over the last 3 decades have amassed over 12 Major Championship and over 100 Tournament victories, David Leadbetter. Famous for innovative and creative teaching techniques, there is no other golf instructor that has had more of an impact on the game of golf than Leadbetter.

He is quite rightly considered by many to be the number one golf instructor in the world, and your golfing performance will surely benefit from the lessons and experiences offered in his best golf books mentioned below.

David Leadbetter's Best Golf Books:

David Leadbetter 100% Golf - This wonderfully written golf instructional book is a compilation of all of Leadbetter's teachings, theories, tips and drills that his has learned and developed during his time as one of golf's most successful trainers.

Like very few others, Leadbetter has an excellent way of explaining some of the more complex swing mechanics and fundamentals that are essential to playing great golf. 100% Golf covers every aspect of the game, from basic setup to mental toughness and is one of the best golf books if you're looking to improve your golfing performance.

David Leadbetter's Faults and Fixes - is an excellent golf instructional book that covers 80 of the most common problem areas in the game, then shows you how to cure them with specifically designed drills and exercises, and is packed full of wonderfully illustrated photos to help you visualize his teachings.

This book is perfectly laid out, with the 'fault' outlined on the left hand page and the 'fix' explained clearly on the right. Unless you have no issues within your game, David Leadbetter's Faults and Fixes will prove to be an excellent investment and one that will help to solve your problems quickly and easily.

The Golf Swing - This is a classic and is one of the best golf books and most revolutionary instructional guides since Hogan's Modern Fundamentals. It discloses some of the swing secrets that transformed the game of the Open and Masters champion Nick Faldo and can bring solid ball striking within the reach of any dedicated golfer.

With 250 individual color illustrations helping to bring the text to life, this David Leadbetter book clearly shows you how to develop a solid and repetitive golf swing in a step-by-step manner. As Nick Faldo says in his foreword, "What this book will give you is the chance to find out how good you really are."

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3 Best Golf Instruction Books Ever!

Whether you are looking to improve your golfing performance, increase your knowledge of the game, or simply interested in learning more about some of golf's greatest players, then I would highly recommend getting your hands on a couple of the best golf instruction books below.

The 3 best golf instruction books mentioned below are written by the very best in the business and will offer you time tested teaching methods and techniques that will help you to not only transform the way you play your golf but will also ensure that you have a lot more fun in the process.

Number 1 - Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf

Anyone who claims to be a golfer should have a copy of this book in their collection. First published over 50 years ago this book has stood the tests of time. Ben Hogan's theories gave us the first real insights into how the most important parts of the golf swing work.

Accompanied with brilliant illustrations provided by Anthony Ravielli, this 'bible of golf' is in the hands of most touring professionals and has to be considered as one of the best golf instruction books of all time.

Number 2 - Harvey Penick's Little Red Book

During his 70 years of teaching Harvey Penick kept a record in a little red book, of all his experiences, observations and findings, which very late in his life he shared with the world in this golf instruction book.

Harvey Penick understood the game like no other and although his coaching methods were simple in the fact that he didn't spend too much time analysing swing mechanics, he is still recognized as on of the greatest teachers the game has ever seen.

Number 3 - Dr Bob Rotella's Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect

This is one of the best golf instructional books if you are looking to boost your confidence and become a more positive player. As well as being one of the 3 best selling golf books in history, it is the best selling sports psychology books of all time.

Dr Bob Rotella believes that 90% of the game is made up of your mental approach and this is what will ultimately decide how successful you are as a golfer. He shows you how to apply the right positive mind set to your performance, with easy to follow instructions that will help you improve your scores and play with more confidence.

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Golf Driver Reviews - Getting The Right Information Before You Buy

These days the market is awash with various types and designs of golf drivers that may probably confuse you with your choices for the one that's just perfect for you. But you are so fortunate because you do not really need to do serious hunting as branded and quality clubs are available all over at very reasonable rates. The issue now is how do you choose which one is just perfect for your specific needs? And to solve this issue, there's golf driver reviews for you.

Golf experts all over the world are blessed with experience that helped them determine the dos and don'ts when searching for the golf equipment. And because of that, the Internet nowadays is full of informational resources and golf driver reviews. Testimonials from the experts can really come in handy especially if you badly needed the right information. These reviews are certainly necessary so you can picture in your mind what you really want, thereby determining what model or type will work out well for you.

When looking, you should take into consideration the size of the driver itself, the material that comprises it, the loft, shaft flex, the length of the shaft and the grip size. To do this, you need golf driver reviews. In here, you will discover firsthand all the expert's different take on these things based on their experiences. And these are valuable information that you must take with you whenever and wherever you are shopping for one. The last thing that you'll ever need is spending your hard-earned money on a hastily-purchased and ill-fitting driver that will not help your cause in the middle of a game.

Gone are those days when the Big Dog can only afford golfers with 250 yards at best. Modern technology clearly has its say as golf courses are now being revamped since the last decade due to the additional lengths of tees. Golf driver reviews will tell you that it might be smart to consider the biggest sizes that the market can offer. The principle behind this is that the larger the club, the larger the sweet spot will naturally be. And this means your chances of hitting the ball at a greater, better length is generally good. With your first shot being longer and your second much shorter, you can rely on larger golf drivers to facilitate lower scores. If budget permits, you can go for those trendy and lightweight titanium heads that promotes faster club head speed. It's also highly durable and can last long.

When it comes to the loft of the club, you should consider those within 7.5 degrees up to 13 degrees. The angle dictates how high you can get the ball to the air. For amateurs, it's ideal to opt for those with lower value, or go for clubs with much higher angles. The shaft length also helps with the speed, with longer shafts as ideal. As for the material, you can choose between steel, graphite and other available materials.

Probably, the most important element in all these is the grip size. Take note that a much smaller grip is much better; having a larger grip can greatly reduce your swing speed and cause you to slice. Unless of course you have big hands.

There you have it. All these are the perfect foundation for a good golf driver. Buy one now.

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