How to Drive the Golf Ball Straighter and Longer with Golf Fitness Exercises by Sean Cochran

This is probably a burning desire of most every golfer on the planet. The desire to drive the golf ball farther and straighter, allowing us to lower our golf scores on the golf course. One of the keys to driving golf the straighter and longer is a golf fitness program. This type of a training program incorporates exercises to improve your golf swing. An amateur recently sent me an e-mail describing how he is driving the golf longer and straighter than ever before. He plainly states the reason for the improvement is directly connected to a golf fitness program he implemented 10 weeks ago. Here is what he had to say; “Sean, Thought I’d drop you a note to let you know I am still enjoying the BioForce workout exercises and I’m getting closer to the goals I set 10 weeks ago. I still track my workouts and I am encouraged by the progress I see, not only on the chart, but also with my swing. As a reward for my efforts and progress, I bought a new Ping Tour wedge. Why a wedge? Because I can already see I am hitting my drives consistently much straighter – This, of course, is giving me more distance and great enjoyment. And, I am much more consistent with my pitches and chips. So, a good wedge that will give consistent distance and allow me to try different types of shots to expand my skills seemed like the right reward. The only thing I am unsure of is “am I pushing myself enough? Could you please have a look at my workouts and advise the best schedule for me to meet my goals. I know I haven’t pushed myself on some the exercises like Side Holds as I should have; the result being no progress with this. For my initial goals I have 5 weeks to go, if I miss these then Mid-May is the next deadline I have set.” ColinColin, let me first congratulate you on your progress, determination, and results you are seeing. It is because of your hard work and dedication to the golf fitness programs your golf game is improving. I always like to say; “I have the easy part, all I have to do is teach you, and the hard part is following through with what I teach you.” I tip my hat to you. Before I answer your question about “pushing yourself”, I would like to make a note of your goal setting. Goal setting is extremely important. I know Phil and almost every athlete I work with sets goals. On one hand, it allows you to measure yourself and see how you are progressing. I think all amateur golfers do this to some extent. Aren’t we all trying to lower our handicaps, make more birdies, and overall improve our golf game? The answer is yes, and on some level, we set goals to measure our progress. Additionally goals have another benefit.It provides a “mark” to achieve, keeps you focused, and provides a sense of accomplishment when met. We as golfers often set goals of lowering our handicap to single digits, drive the golf ball 280 yards, or not make any three putts. These are all “marks” we are trying to hit, and these “marks” are essentially goals. Once the goals are set, a plan can be put in place to reach those goals. For example, if the desire is to lower your handicap to single digits, part of the plan may be practicing at the range three times per week. On the other hand, if the goal is add an additional 20 yards to your drives, part of the plan may be the implementation of a golf fitness program to increase your flexibility, strength, endurance, and power. I will also say at times goals are not met, and that is okay. If a goal is not met, it provides us a point to reflect, make adjustments in our current program, and set new goals.Additionally, Colin you bring up a very good point on how much should you be “pushing yourself” on the exercises. We all probably are aware that in order to improve in any task, golf swing included, we must put forth an effort. How much is very important, and this is of the up most importance in relation to golf fitness exercises.Let me first say there is a very fine line between the correct amount of exertion and too much exertion. Too much exertion can lead to poor exercise technique and a possible injury. Too little exertion will limit the benefits received from your golf fitness program. A term I use as a guideline for the correct amount of exertion on each exercise is: “Perform each exercise to your own level of tolerance”. Essentially this states every exercise you perform should be done with the; 1) Correct technique And 2) Performed for the number of repetitions in which you can maintain proper exercise technique. This requires you to “push yourself”, but in addition maintain an awareness of your exercise technique. For example with the golf fitness exercise Side Holds, once you set yourself up in the correct position, you should “hold” the position for the amount of time you can until your technique falters. This guideline can be followed for almost every golf fitness exercise. Another golf fitness exercise, the Jack Knife should be performed for as many repetitions with the correct technique. If you find your technique starting to falter this is the point at which you stop. To summarize, we know a golf fitness program can assist a golfer in driving the golf ball longer and straighter. In the bigger picture longer and straighter drives is a goal. In order to achieve a goal in the sport of golf, a plan must be put in place. The plan can include golf fitness exercises as part of the steps for us to meet that goal. Additionally, when we talk about any golf fitness exercise the correct amount of effort must be exerted, but not exceeded. Following the guideline of “perform every golf fitness exercise to your own level of tolerance” will help you maintain this fine line of effort.Sean CochranCopyright, BioForce, Ltd 2006 **The contents of this daily email are not to be considered as medical advice. Always consult a physician before beginning or changing any fitness program.** This email is protected by copyright, 2006, BioForce, Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this email is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of BioForce, Ltd. Bill Mooney BioForce, Ltd 7866 SW Nimbus AveBeaverton, Or 97008

How To Correct a Golf Slice

For a golf slice to happen, two conditions must be present. Firstly, the club face is open when it hit the golf ball. Secondly, the golf club travels a out-to-in path. In other words, the golf club cut across the target line instead of moving along target line.So to cure your golf slice, you have to eliminate these two conditions during impact. There are few ways to overcome the problem.1. Use a stronger gripSlicing is caused by a open club face. A stronger grip will make it easier to close the club face during impact. To adopt a stronger grip, first grip the golf club as you normally would, then turn both your hands toward right. You should be able to see two to three knuckles of your left hand (assuming you are right-handed player).2. Check your body alignment.Make sure both your feet is parallel to the target line. If you left feet is more behind than you right feet, you have a open stance. An open stance will make you swing the club in a out-to-in fashion. This type of swing path will cut across the golf ball resulting in a golf slice. What you want is the club head to travel along the target line not cut across it. To check your proper alignment, place a golf club on the ground point toward the target with the shaft touching the tip of both your feet. If the club is parallel to the target line then your alignment is correct.3. Check your club head alignment.When you setup to the golf ball, make sure the flat edge of the club face is perpendicular to the target line. This is the most simple and basic check. Yet a lot of golfers forget to do it or do it wrongly.4. Do not try to hit at the ball with your hand.A lot of beginner golfers slice the golf ball because they try to hit at the ball instead of swinging through the ball. When you try to hit at the golf ball, you create too much tension in the arm and griping the club too hard. As a result, you will hold the club face open during impact because the hard grip and tension prevent the proper and timely rotation of the hands to close the club face. In a proper golf swing, you swing through the ball. Your target is the flag not the golf ball. So do not try to hit at the ball. Instead, swing toward the target and let the ball get in the way.Depending on what is the cause of your golf slice, you may need one or more of the above fixes. But try only one fix at a time. Trying to making too many swing changes at one go will cause confusion and create other swing problems. Many times, one simple cure will fix the problem. Use the ball flight as your guide. Author Info:The best way to lower your golf score is to adopt the simple golf swing. For more golf tips, please vist www.golf-swing-and-clubs.com.

How to Practice by Paul Wilson

In a normal day of teaching golf I walk back and forth to the range numerous times. On this journey, I usually watch the different variations people have when they swing the golf club. Some of the swings are quite good and others need a lot of work. I usually think to myself that if only they could change the way they practiced they would become so much better so much faster. What do I mean exactly? Well ... 99.9% of all golfers I see on the range are just whacking golf balls out there. If this is you, I've got some bad news ... you will never improve. So what should you be doing? If you are working on your swing, you have to work on your swing. This means you should forget about trying to hit every shot perfectly on the range. No pro can do this or even attempts to do this. It is called a practice range because you are there to practice what you have learned so you can take it to the course without having to think about it. If you have just been whacking balls on the range and not improving you should follow the outline below.
Find a Teaching Method That You Can Relate To
If you think you can figure out the golf swing on your own without lessons, books or videos you're kidding yourself. What you think you're doing is never what you are actually doing. Just when you think you have it, it's gone. Wouldn't it make sense to follow a step by step method that takes you through the various parts of the swing and explains them in a manner you can understand. There are many different teachers out there with many different thoughts on how to swing the club properly. I myself, teach the golf swing based on the 3 elements of the Iron Byron swing machine that was modeled after the swing of Byron Nelson. In my many years of trying to figure out the swing, I didn't see it clearly until I say Iron Byron hit a golf ball. Once I understood the simplicity of the machine and I related it to my own swing, the pieces started to fit together. If this sounds appealing to you then following my method would be a great idea. If not, lessons from your local pro or a quick search at a bookstore or on the internet will give you many other choices.
Create a Neutral Grip
Your grip is your connection to the club. If your hands are not placed on the club in a neutral position you're really making the game much more difficult. I say this because if you have a faulty grip your shots will spin one way or the other. If this is the case, how do expect to consistently hit the fairways or greens? Once you learn the proper grip, you will not only be copying the pros but you will also narrow down the possible cause of your inconsistent shots. If the grip is not the problem, it must be something else that is causing your wayward shots. So now you can move on to fixing the other parts of your swing.
Square Alignment is Critical
In my last tip I explained the importance of proper alignment. To sum it up, it's vital that you align squarely to your target. I say this because if you are aimed way out to the right or left and you hit a perfect shot it would go in the trees, water, bunkers or out of bounds. This means you need another flaw in your swing to get the ball on target with a faulty alignment. To make sure you are aligned squarely to your target, lay one club down on the ground pointing directly at your target, then place another club parallel to the first club about 1 foot away. Finally, pick up the first club you placed on the ground and hit balls from that spot with your feet parallel to the second club. This is known as being aligned parallel left of your target.
Do Tons of Practice Swings
Once you have chosen a teacher and a method it is time to practice what you have learned. Again, it's not as simple as just whacking balls out there. You have been shown certain positions that you need to incorporate into your swing. The best way to do this is by doing tons of practice swings in a mirror or at the range. By doing plenty practice swings, you will re-enforce your new swing positions so you can do them consistently when you hit actual shots. The whole point of making a change is to make the change. By just whacking balls out there you will continue to do your old swing that's full of flaws.
Hit Different Shots
Once you have made the necessary changes to your swing it's time to hit various shots. Golf is not a just a game of hitting the ball 300 yards down the middle with your driver. The game also requires good fairway woods, long, mid and short irons as well as a great short game. Try to practice all parts of your game with all of the clubs in your bag especially the clubs you dislike the most. If you keep ignoring certain clubs you will continue to hit them poorly.
Take Your Time
Building a great golf swing takes time. If it could be achieved in a week everyone would be pros. If your changes are minor a few weeks or a month of consistent practice and practice swings should ingrain these new positions. If you are totally re-building your swing it may take you a couple of months or longer. This is because your new swing will present new problems like hitting the ball over the green or through the fairway because you are not used to your new distances. Once you have hit enough better shots you will be able to choose the appropriate club for the situation and you score will finally come down.
If you want to become a good golfer it's time to change how you are currently practicing, understand what it takes to get better and create a game plan that you will follow religiously. If you start to make these changes now, you are on your way ... if you start next week, you are week behind.Paul WilsonDirector of InstructionNicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate

Credit Crunch Advice for Golfers: Focus on your swing! Paul Thornley

In times of economic hardship everyone is looking for ways to tighten their belts and golfers are no exception. Why then do so many of them persist in investing their hard earned cash on the latest drivers when all they really need to do is focus on improving their golf swing with some measured practice?The past fifty years have seen considerable developments in golf technology, yet the average regardless of the equipment you use, whether it is top of the range or not.golfer’s handicap has seen no improvement. It is obvious then what this shows: the problem does not lie with the golf club – it lies with the golfer!Which leads us to the importance of practice, and more specifically, measured practice. There are several golf practice systems on the market designed to help you improve your golf skills and one of the most important of these is the swing training aid. Golf swing training aids are vital because they help you develop a good technique and improve your game, Practice, however, is pointless unless it is measured practice. This means that your swing training aid must, without fail, offer feedback on your swing otherwise you will not know what you are doing wrong and you will have no idea how to correct it. You must therefore choose a swing training aid that allows you to take full power swings as if you were on the course, and the system must tell you how you have hit those shots, where your faults lie and how to correct them. Once you know what you are doing wrong you can focus your practice on fine tuning your action and adding power and accuracy to your shot.Stop wasting money on expensive golf equipment! Instead, invest in a swing training aid that offers measurability, and focus your attention on the thing that will make all the difference to your game – your swing!
Author Info:Paul Thornley is a PGA Professional, golf coach and director of Targetline Limited. Targetline is an indoor golf system which offers the ultimate corporate hospitality solution and is also widely used by golf industry pros and amateurs worldwide as an indoor practice and training aid. Combined with Leaderboard, Targetline forms the Golf Gym concept.

Can Golf Swing Tips Online Improve Your Game? by By Phanasol Yolpak

Some new golfers believe that religiously practicing the golf swing tips online would significantly improve their golf swings. So many tips are offered online that you just need to practice until you are satisfied with your swing and eventually, you'll see an improvement in your game or not have a sliced shot anymore.
Sliced shots can be very frustrating even if you're a new golf player. A sliced shot is an uncontrolled shot, where instead of flying straight ahead, the ball goes on a curved path to the right.
What causes sliced shots? The real solution for this sliced problem is the correct understanding of its causes. Correcting the causes based on online golf swing instructions would eventually reduce the occurrence of sliced shots.
Sliced shots result from an incorrect swing, through the wrong coordination of the golfer's body and arms. Other players say that they see an improvement in their game when they tried following golf swing tips online.
Swinging With Your Body
Looking at golfers, it seems that their shots depend on how they swing their arms. Actually, it's not. The quality of the swing actually results from the proper use of the body.
An incorrect swing puts much work on the arms such that after a few holes you will start to feel pain. This is not a sign that you need to workout more but rather a signal of an improper use of the body and arms. You'll see this illustrated in some golf swing tips online. Your arms alone are not supposed to be used in executing a downturn swing.
When you swing with your arms, there is less control of the movement which affects the club position as it reaches the golf ball. This kind of club contact causes the ball to travel at an angle instead of in a straight line, as you intend. Golf swing tips online states that the movement should come from the shoulders rather than the arms.
The downward swing should be executed with the shoulders guiding the golfer's passive arms. The arms with the club are actually moved towards the ball by the body, together with the legs and hips. These movements bring the club on a straight line to the ball, with the body controlling the movement.
Another golf swing tip online states that golf swing power is a result of the upper body's coil against the braced right knee.Learning new movements or techniques as described in golf swing tips online take time and practice. The same goes with the expected improvement in the game. As they say, it takes time to get out of bad habits. Just be patient and you'll realize that learning from golf swing tips online can really improve your swing.