Improve your golf performance. Is that always on your mind? When you go out to golf you’re hoping for a good round. I know I do.

How often does your outcome match what you hoped for? Do you usually shoot the scores you had envisioned before you teed off? If not, do you ever evaluate where and how you could have saved strokes and avoided those blow up holes?

I’ve got 5 easy tips for you to implement immediately that will improve your golf performance by shaving 4-6 or even more strokes off your score the next time you play. Give them a try and see what happens. Here they are:

1. First off you’ve got to put the proper fuel in your body before you leave home. Most golfers don’t give it a second thought. They either don’t eat at all before they leave home or they eat something that is not going to give them the long-term energy they’re hoping for.

So whether it’s lunch or breakfast before you leave you need to consume a complex carbohydrate and a good protein source. This combination will warrant the best use of your energy for the long haul.

An example for breakfast would be a bowl of oatmeal and a couple of egss with a piece of fruit or a juice. For lunch you could have a turkey sandwich on whole wheat with a piece of fruit. Lot’s of lettuce on the sandwich and try to avoid mayonnaise or butter.

2. The second tip is to properly warm up your body before you even hit your first ball. I see so many golfers show up 5 minutes before tee time, hack a few balls and head to the first tee. Those golfers are headed for a double bogey right off the bat – but hey they’re just getting “warmed up” right?

A better approach is to give yourself at least 30 minutes before your tee time. First do some dynamic (movement oriented) stretches to prepare your body to perform.

Things like arm circles, partial squats, toe touches, etc. Then take some half swings with a 7 iron. Now after that you’re ready to hit some wedges. You’ll find with this approach your hits on the range will be much better, which will build your confidence.

3. Drink lots of water even before you leave your house. Try to consume up to a gallon of Water before you get to the course. This will help you absorb and digest your pre-game meal and hydrate your muscles for optimal performance.

Don’t take this lightly.

Dehydration causes energy loss, lack of focus and concentration and fatigue later in the round. And remember, that’s before you even come to the course. Once you get their you should be drinking water every hole.

4. Don’t wait ‘til you get tight to stretch on the course. You should be constantly moving your body and stretching your joints while you play. I see and hear too many golfers complaining of tight lower backs or shoulders during the round, What amazes me is that with all that complaining they do nothing about it.

Why?

Think of your body as a machine. If the machine starts to break down – fix it. I mean stretch those areas while you’re playing. You’ll see a big difference in your swing mechanics late in the round.

5. Snack while you play. No I don’t mean the full meal at the turn with a beer. I mean bringing fruit and nutrition bars to eat every 4-6 holes. When you supply your body with the proper nutrients your energy levels stay balanced and you will avoid those mental lapses late in the round.

How many times have you had a good score only to blow up late in the round? I’ll bet more than a couple of times. I know I have. Treat your body like a Ferrari not a Ford Pinto.

These tips if applied, will definitely improve your golf performance!

In my game I have adopted the simplest possible swing and have insisted that as many shots as possible should be played with fundamentally the same movements. Now that I have outlined the idea of teaching by feel you will better understand why I attach such importance to this point.

Now these four points together make up the top of the swing, and I was talking about the waggle—which is the bottom of an imaginary swing! But do not think I was digressing. I was not, the two are linked together. And why? Because unless you feel the whole of the swing in your waggle, your waggle is failing in its purpose.

This controlling feel is built up through the constant repetition of the correct movements. We do not know just where in the system it resides, but whether it is muscular memory, or the wearing of certain grooves or channels in the mind, or—as is probable—a combination of the two, it is obvious that the more often the same succession of movements can be repeated the clearer the memory will be. Also, and this is most important, it is highly desirable that the memory should not be confused by the frequent or even occasional introduction of other and different movements—as happens when the swing is fundamentally changed for certain shots.

It is mainly for this reason that I teach and preach and practice that every shot from the full drive to the putt should be played with the same movement. Of course in the drive the movement is both more extensive and bolder than for the shorter shots, but fundamentally it is the same. The result must be a feeling of “in-to-out” stroking across the face of the ball—played not at the ball, but through it. The “in-to-out” refers to the relation of the feel of the path of the club head to the desired line of flight of the ball.

The only shots in golf which I have been unable to play or to teach as sections of the fundamental “in-to-out” swing are certain shots which call for cut pulled under and across the ball.

But for ninety-nine out of every hundred shots a golfer must play, the swing is the movement necessary. So to clear the ground I will list what I consider to be the essentials of the swing:

1. It is essential to turn the body round to the right and then back and round to the left, without moving either way. In other words this turning movement must be from a fixed pivot.

2. It is essential to keep the arms at full stretch throughout the swing—through the back swing, the down swing, and the follow through.

3. It is essential to allow the wrists to break fully back at the top of the swing.

4. It is essential to delay the actual hitting of the ball until as late in the swing as possible.

5. It is essential not to tighten any muscle concerned in the reactive part of the swing (movement above the waist).

6. It is essential to feel and control the swing as a whole and not to concentrate upon any part of it.

In a sense this last point is the most vital. The swing must be considered and felt as a single unity, not as a succession of positions or even a succession of movements. The swing is one and indivisible.

Now I consider that our golf is liable to go wrong if we lose sight of any of these essentials. There are of course innumerable incidentals that could be added that are important enough to have a considerable influence on one’s game, but I will go so far as to say that if you have these six essentials well embedded in your system and if you have developed some conscious control of your swing by getting the feel of the right movements—your game will rarely or never desert you.

Of course the comfortable, reliable, right feel is not a thing that comes all at once. For instance, it takes years—though not if your teacher teaches by feel—to

feel nicely set and comfortable before the ball; weight between the feet, perfectly free and active and yet firmly planted.

Then the waggle. About the waggle a whole book could be written. Every movement we make when we waggle is a miniature of the swing we intend to make. The club head moves in response to the body and the body opposes the club head. It is a flow and counter flow of forces with no static period, no check.

There is no check anywhere in a good swing. There is no such thing as the “dead top” of a swing—there are four points each one of which might be so considered if it were not for the other three! They are: (1) When the pivot (feet to shoulders) has reached its top, the arms are still going up. (2) When the arms have reached their top, the body is on its day down. (3) When the arms begin to come down, the wrists have still to break back, and (4) When the wrists break

To put the lesson of the concept of control by feel as briefly as possible, we must give up thinking about our shots. In place of thinking there must be conscious control, obtained by building up (by constant repetition of the correct action) a comfortable and reliable feel, a feel that will tell you infallibly through appeal to your muscular memory, what is the right movement —and which will remain with you and control your shots whatever your mental state may be. Not being a matter of thought, this control stands outside the mental state.

Practice makes a man perfect, but practice of improper form gets you into bad habits hard to break. Therefore, golf swing instruction is absolutely imperative. Even the pros have had professional golf swing instructors to be as good as they are today.

If you want to start swinging like a pro, you have to put in dedicated practice with the proper form. Only then you will be able to increase your accuracy. Practice really means to do the same thing again and again. It can be very monotonous but soon you find your rhythm, and then it begins to pay off.

In other words, it is a slow process and unproductive at first. But, after you’ve ‘learned the ropes’ or learned the rhythm, you will be able to do the job with your eyes closed.

In the game of golf practicing with the proper repetitive motion will allow you to train your brain and feel the proper rhythm. Later on, you will be able to identify the problem areas in your swing.

Here are three simple golf instruction tips:

First of all, try to learn proper swing mechanics from golf swing instruction books or on the internet. It doesn’t take much time to read about the perfect golf swing and realize the flaws in your swing. This is the first step.

Secondly, you need to have the proper mental attitude to play a round of golf. Make up your own trigger; you need it before each shot to get into ‘the zone’. For instance, you may take a deep breath or tap your club on the ground to feel completely relaxed as you prepare for the shot. All this is important to block out any distractions and concentrate on your shot.

Thirdly, it pays to take a few professional lessons after you have learnt the proper swing mechanics from a book or the internet, and incorporated a trigger into you shots. You will get help from the golf pros with the problem areas in your swing. You will find them different in the beginning, but after some time, you will get used to the changes, and will start to see the benefits in your future shots. Take some notes during and after your lesson, and keep them handy for future reference.

If you are serious about becoming a better golfer, you will need proper golf swing instruction to start hitting better golf shots. You will need professional assistance if you have formed some bad habits and cannot improve your game. Remember, it is not easy to break bad habits. But it is the first step to your success.

Learning the golf swing instruction tips and putting them into practice will help you immensely. You can learn from a professional or even the local ‘ace’ at you country club. These tips are easy to learn and very gratifying in terms of improving your game.

How to cure a golf slice is something that a LOT of golfer wish they knew how to do, it can affect a huge part of your game and really make it a lot harder for you to play your best, in fact, if you are slicing the ball with your swing then you are not playing your best. In this article, I am going to share with you some points that I think you should know about and think about when it comes to curing a golf slice.

One of the main things you should be aware of is the fact that curing your golf slice can, in some cases, do wonder for your overall game, it really can have a very powerful affect on your scoring and it is definitely something you should work on if you need to.

How To Cure A Golf Slice

Here are some of the main factors that come in to play when it comes to curing a golf slice, these points are not the only things you should think about and work on but are definitely a good start:

Do you have the proper stance?

This is something a lot of new goflers tend to have a problem with, the stance is very important to the swing and can have a big affect on it if not done correctly. It’s pretty obvious why the stance is so important, I mean, think about it, it is the exact position you are in as you swing, therefore it is going to have a big affect on it, you should work on perfecting your stance so that you can perfect your swing.

Is your grip tight enough?

This is another thing that a lot of new golfers have a problem with, a weak grip can make it much more likely for you to slice the ball and therefore, you should have a strong solid grip when swinging. This is one of the simplest things about a golf swing yet it is such a common mistake that is made. Remember when you are about to swing that yo should have a strong, firm grip of the club.

How is your aim?

Yes, one of the most obvious things about swinging a golf club is how you are aiming it, so, I’m not going to explain the importance of this point but instead, I’m just going to point it out that this may be the reason why you are slicing the ball, this is something to think about next time your playing a round and about to swing.

These are just some of the points that you should be thinking about if you are slicing the ball with your swing, there are other factors that come in to play and you should continue to read and learn as much as you can about how to cure a golf slice because you are not playing your best if you are doing it, in fact, you may find that you are actually a much better player after you have cured your slice, so get working on it.

Golf is an extremely relaxing sport loved by many. You can be any age, you can play with your friends or you can play alone. There is so much information around, on the internet, on videos and sport shows on how to perfect your game. But one of the strategies you probably have never thought of is how choosing your golf bag can be very important in how well you play your game, bet you have never heard that one before. With all the tips and tricks around that you have heard this may be a new one to you.

You need to shop around and find that bag that is perfect for you. You will want to make sure that your bag meets all your needs and requirements. Foremost in your mind you should think about all your equipment and accessories, what you need to play your best game. Maybe you have some clubs that you don’t use all the time but there may come a day when you need that certain club, with the proper golf bag you should be able to carry everything with you that you may need to every game. You don’t want to have to face that tricky shot and be wishing that you could have had room for that that club you hardly ever use.

Another important factor to keep in mind is being able to easily and comfortably be able to load up your bag and unload it without a lot of fuss. If you are struggling to get your things in and out of your bag then how can you expect to keep your full concentration on your game? Knowing where all your equipment and accessories are can keep your game running smoothly and may just give you the advantage that you need.

Many people make the same mistake when shopping for a golf bag, they carry it around the store and say “Yes this feels good”. But we all know that when everything is placed in your golf bag that is when you need to be comfortable carrying it. So it’s no use lugging around an empty one in the store.

Think about how long you carry your bag, do you walk with it around your shoulder or do you use a golf cart? If you are a player that carries his bag around a lot then comfort is a very big issue to consider when buying your next golf bag. Now that you know the importance of your golf bag and how to choose one, you should be ready to play your best game ever.

Golf is one of the few games in the whole world where less is more. In other words, the lower you score, the better your chances of winning. As any seasoned golfer will tell you, the key to winning a golf game is all in the swing. As a rookie, the first fact you should know is that a better swing will make you a better golfer.

It is pertinent for a beginner to first learn the mechanics of a golf swing but it should be the very last thing on his mind when actually playing golf. To put it simply, a golfer swings from memory and not from conscious thought. As a matter of fact, the only time you should be paying attention to your swinging technique is when you are learning a new motion and are practicing it till you can convert it into a natural action.

When you are out on the driving range, you should put in a conscious effort to fine-tune your swing by observing other, more experienced players. However, when you are out on the golf course playing a game, all your thoughts should be focused on where you would like for the ball to land.

Here are a few tips to help you improve your game:

When you are taking your stance, pick out a spot on course, preferably on the green or the fairway and concentrate on hitting the ball so that it lands in the targeted region. While you do this, make sure the thought of how to swing the club doesn’t lead your mind astray. Once you are successful in keeping your eyes firmly on the target, you will be able to block out any thoughts related to the technique of your swing.

Of course, like everything else in life, this is a lot easier said than done. It is almost mental torture to not think about one’s swing when swinging. And anyone who has tried to train their mind as well as their swing at the same time will vouch for this.
It is a fact that nine out of ten golfers have a very hard time keeping their mind off their swing before hitting the ball. Their minds are torn between thinking about where they want the ball to land and how best to swing to get the best leverage. And most of the time, golfers give in to the latter.

So, you can understand that learning this new method of target golfing isn’t exactly a walk in the park and will take some time before you can get used to it. So, remember to practice this technique for about a month or so, preferably on the practice tee and soon you will see the fantastic difference it makes in your golf game out on the course.

Millions of people play golf on a regular basis. Out of the vast number of avid golfers in the world, there are actually only a handful of really extraordinarily gifted golfers, most of whom are professionals. The rest of the golfing population either play in amateur tournaments, or they just like to use golf as a social activity.

Recreational golfers are not that competitive. They just like to golf for fun. But even these people who golf for leisure still would like to impress their peers with their game. For example, businessmen playing golf with their corporate partners definitely do not want to be seen as having a weak game. They want to show their partners that they are competent in many areas, even in golf. But how do they do that when in fact they are probably just beginning to learn the sport?

This is where hybrid golf clubs come in. Hybrid golf clubs are special clubs that people use to greatly improve their game. They are a fairly new item in the world of golf, but hybrid golf clubs are growing more popular every day. This is because they offer beginners and amateurs the opportunity to play like a professional.

Hybrid golf clubs are specially designed clubs that can help improve the game of any amateur or even a beginner. No matter what your skill level is, hybrid golf clubs can definitely improve your shots. This is particularly useful for those people who want to improve their game but are too busy with work or other parts of their life to practice enough.

When hybrid golf clubs were first introduced to the golf market, it was the beginners and amateurs who jumped at the opportunity for a better game. Thousands of golfers have impressed their friends, their bosses or their families by suddenly giving a better performance. It didn’t take long for people to find out about hybrid golf clubs.

Now that their secret is out, more and more people are clamoring to get a hold of hybrid golf clubs for themselves. Because of their extreme popularity, a lot of golf supplies manufacturers have included hybrid golf clubs in their regular line. You can now purchase sets of hybrid golf clubs in practically every corner of the country. For more info see http://www.golfclubscarts.com/Articles/Golf_Carts_Parts.php on Golf Carts Parts.

Today, hybrid golf clubs are so popular that companies are already producing many different designs that you can choose from. There are hybrid golf clubs that are ideal for golfers who are still learning, and there are also designs for more advanced players. In fact, even some professional golfers now use hybrid golf clubs to further advance their performance, and golf supplies manufacturers now produce special hybrid golf clubs for these pros.

Once you have decided on your clubs, go to the first tee.

You have the option of teeing your ball anywhere between, but not forward of, the markers.

Don’t forget that you can also tee it a maximum of two club lengths behind the line of the markers.

You can make this knowledge work for you. For instance, you may come to a hole which is a little short for the 5 iron you feel you should use but not short enough for a 6.

Your feeling is that if you use the No. 6 you will have to hit the ball very hard to get there. In this case use the 5 but tee your ball a little higher and use your normal swing. The higher tee will take distance off the shot.

You can vary the height of the tee in the wind, too, teeing a shade higher if you want the help of a following wind and lower if you want a low, boring shot into the wind.

Whatever the trouble is, make this your rule: Tee up your ball on the same side of the teeing ground as the trouble lies, and shoot away from it.

Before you stick the peg in the ground take a good look at what is in front of you. And know what you are looking for. Almost every hole has more trouble on one side of the fairway than it does on the other. This trouble may be obvious: a string of white out-of-bounds stakes, a fence, or a pond. It may be more subtle: longer rough on one side than on the other, or a fairway trap on one side. It might be just a line of small trees, or a hidden ravine, or it might be one big tree with spreading branches out there in the rough about 220 or 230 yards from the tee.

Something else in teeing your ball. Take advantage, if there is any to be taken, of any unevenness of the ground. Often there are little depressions on a tee. If there are in the area you choose, tee your ball on the forward edge of one. This will give you a slightly uphill lie, the lie most golfers like to play from. This is especially important if you are playing with the wind behind you. It will get your ball a little higher. But wherever you tee, be sure there are no obstructions of any kind behind the ball. These might be worm casts, which could deflect the club slightly as it is brought back, or they could be loose, dead grass, the movement of which might distract you. Whatever they are, get rid of them.

Another point to be sure of is that your feet are on level ground, that there is nothing under them which disturbs you, like a stick or a small stone or a clod of mud. Be sure also, especially in wet weather, that your feet aren’t resting on muddy ground or loose earth from which they might slip.

All this may seem to be making mountains out of those worm casts we warned you of, but such observation, inspection, and reaction should become automatic. We assure you they are with the good player. Any little advantages which may exist are even more valuable to you than they are to the pro or the low-handicap player.

Handling the Wind

One of the great and variable hazards of golf is the wind. Few players actually like the wind, because it is an unsettling factor, though sometimes more imaginary than real. It is a fact, though, that an appreciable number of yards are lost when you hit straight into a wind, even though it is a light breeze, and just as many yards are gained when the wind is directly with the shot.

It follows, then, that in playing against the wind the ball should be kept as low as possible, where it is less exposed, and that when the wind is behind us we should get the ball up so the movement of air can exert a greater and longer effect. To get a low ball, play it back farther than normal, toward the center line between the feet if it is the tee shot, back farther for a pitching iron. Keep more weight on the left leg than normally and try to have your hands ahead of the ball at impact. It is also advisable, against the wind, to take one club stronger than you would use in still air, grip it shorter, and use a shorter but firmer swing. Most of these alterations should be reversed in a following wind.

The ball should be played a shade farther forward than usual to get it up quickly, and one club weaker than normal should be used. It, too, should be gripped shorter and swung with a shorter and firmer action. Let the weight movement and the hand action be normal; fooling with them is too dangerous.

Playing in a crosswind from the tee, the ball should be played from the same side the wind is blowing and played for the windward side of the fairway. This way you are letting the wind help the ball just a little, instead of fighting it as you would be if you started the ball even slightly against it. This formula playing from the side of the tee the wind is blowing from holds in a quartering wind too, whether it is with or against you.

You will be faced with a slight conflict if the trouble is on one side of the fairway and the wind is coming from the other. When you find yourself in this dilemma, let the trouble be the determining factor.

One more thought while we are on the teeing ground. Most short (par 3) holes are played with an iron. When you play them, use a wooden tee. This is the only chance you ever have to get a perfect lie for an iron, so why not take it? But remember, the higher you tee the ball, the less distance you will get.

If the worst trouble lies on the right side, tee up on the right. Aim for the left center of the fairway and let fly.

This way you will be at least starting your shot away from the danger zone.

If, playing from the right side, you slice badly enough to bring the ball back into the trouble, you will still have two sources of satisfaction: The ball won’t be as deep in the trouble and you will know that you at least tried intelligently to avoid it. There is always the chance, of course, that you will hit the ball across the fairway and into the rough on the opposite side, but then you have been caught by the lesser of the two evils and the advantage is still yours.

First, try to understand how often you will be playing the game. If your only intention is to play a couple of times a year in the company scramble or better ball, then it is probably best to stick with a cheaper set of golf clubs, rather than spending a ton of cash on a brand new set of clubs. But if you’ve tried the game and enjoy it and feel that you want to take it up more often you should do a little research and determine which golf clubs are best for you.

Your level of interest, dedication, time and of course cash flow are important factors in how many times you’ll be getting out on the golf course. If you’re not sure what these levels are, then you should probably look for a cheaper set of clubs or even some second-hand clubs. They will work out the best for a new player who is testing out their enjoyment in the world of golf. If your interest continues to grow, you can always buy a new set of clubs down the road and by then you would probably have a better understanding of your game and commitment.

If at first you are not sure what type of clubs you should buy, then you can ask and see what other people or friends who have some understanding of the game think will suit you best. Try asking the friends who like to play golf and who have probably been with you on your first or second outing. They would be able to point you in the right direction, especially if they’ve seen you play. Or ask at your local pro shop and see what they would recommend for you. Asking people who play the game is the best way to get ideas for which set of golf clubs could be the best fit for you.

Once you narrow down the search you can always test drive the golf clubs at your local dealer to get a feel for what you’re buying and to see if they are the best possible clubs for your swing and the level of player you are. Two tips I feel are important for anyone looking to buy a beginner set of golf clubs is; look for perimeter weighted golf clubs instead of forged blades this will help with forgiveness on off center shots and help you enjoy the game. Also try and pick up graphite shafts instead of steel shafts, this will limit the amount of feedback or vibrations on shots you miss hit and also help you enjoy the game more. Once you have your swing and are comfortable enough to know what you want and see an improvement in your game, then see about some higher end clubs.

After you make your decision, check out a few discount dealers, pro shops or even some local garage sales. You can get a decent set of new starter golf clubs for $200 or $300 from a discount golf shop or maybe a better set of clubs for a lot less from someone’s garage. Heck they might even throw in a golf bag and some golfing accessories you’ll probably need.

Finally and most importantly, enjoy the game and the score will come!

- Always do a couple practice putts before you start your game. Don’t try to make a hole; just get the ball in the general direction. Focus on your swing, not making the hole. By doing some practice putts, you can also get a feel for how fast the ball will run on the green. Visit http://www.getgoodatgolf.com to learn more golf tips and instructions.

- Practice easy putts. Don’t worry about making a long shot. Definitely practice a few long ones, but for the most part, stick to within 6-feet. Missing every practice putt will only hurt your confidence, and there’s more to a good putt than just making the hole.

- It’s amazing how much confidence has to do with putting. In golf, more than any other sport, player confidence is key. And, it’s a problem that amateurs and pros alike have to deal with. Keep this in mind when you’re putting, and train yourself to stay confident, even when the ball doesn’t go where you want it to.

- Don’t look at the ball when you’re making your target – look just ahead of the ball. Focus on a spot right in front, a spot that you want that ball to roll over. After you hit it, you’ll know if you’ve made the shot or not by whether you see it cross that spot.

- Don’t move! Check your position before the shot and make sure it’s perfect. But, don’t move out of your position until the ball is well on its way. If you get impatient and want to watch that ball fly toward the hole, you may straighten up too fast and lose control over your putt.

- There are some ways you can keep yourself from naturally following that ball and ruining your putt. For example, look at the spot the ball was on, after it rolls off. To practice this, you can lay a coin under the ball, and keep your eyes on the coin after the ball has rolled completely off.

- When you’re practicing, there are putting drills you can do. For example, put in 5 balls from a distance of 1 foot; then move back a foot. Then another and another, and if you miss one shot, you have to start the whole thing over again from one foot.

- For some really deep, heavy-duty putting practice, close your eyes when you putt. With your eyes closed, you’ll be more aware of the way the rest of your body moves. You’ll feel your torso twist and your shoulders swing steadily, just like a pendulum with the club swinging from it.

- Practice like crazy. That’s the best golf putting tip anybody can give you. The longer you’re out there practicing, the more you’ll develop a feel for it. Like everything else, practice makes perfect!