Golfing Holidays in Hermanus

Besides being one of the most prestigious destinations in the world South Africa is internationally renowned for its numerous, highly ranked and aesthetically designed courses. In the Western Cape region alone there are more than 30 high-level courses.

Golfing in the Western Cape

Visitors to the Western Cape quickly fall in love with the provinces of amazing golf courses set in some of the most beautiful landscapes and offer spectacular views. Thefantastic weather, activate offer superb accommodation and the variety of non-golf attractions and activities, each with a fantastic golf holiday in the Western Cape.

Golf Holidays in Hermanus

Hermanus is a beautiful coastal city is located about one hour's drive from the city of Cape Town. Every year visitors from all over South Africa and the world to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life in this quiet and picturesque resort.
Hermanus is consist of spectacular coastline, pristine beaches, lagoons and rivers and is home to two of the Western Cape's most prestigious golf courses. What could be better than a holiday escape to a picturesque landscape, the excellent golf packages?

Courses

The Hermanus Golf Club is surrounded by magnificent sea views and a dramatic mountain backdrop. The 18-hole golf course designed by Bob Grimsdell and is one of the most popular courses in theCountry.

The Hermanus Golf Club has several top golf tournaments and exhibitions, including the National Inter-Provincial Match Play Tournament, the SA Country Districts Tournament, Boland Open, Hermanus, the Open tournament and the annual Walker Bay Classic hosted. The course has many golf legends such as the hosts like Bobby Locke, Peter Thompson, Sam Snead, Dai Rees, Ken Bousfield, Bernard Hunt and Bobby Cole.

Whether you are a scratch golferor simply someone who enjoys the therapeutic effects of a few rounds of golf, this course is to fulfill your wishes. While waiting to play your recording you can see the whales breach in the sea next to you, it might be no better way for a golfer for a day. According to a South African rating of 62 of these parks golf course is popular with locals and tourists alike deserves. The Hermanus Golf Club is private but very accessible to the public. The biggest challenge in the holeof course, and very probably one of the hardest holes in the Cape is the sixth. In an out-of-bounds on the right side and trees, which of these narrow fairways this hole demands precision when playing in the wind. The green slopes uphill from front to back and a water hazard looms near on the right side.

Appropriate golf clothing and soft spikes are required on the pitch. Club facilities include a Pro Shop, Graded Caddies, a halfway house, closet and shower and a fantasticcash, the toast the successes of a fantastic day on the rolling hills of this magnificent course.

Located in Kleinmond, this is only a few minutes drive from Hermanus, lies the beautiful Arabella Golf Course and Country Estate. Designed by Peter Matkovich the courses theme is balance.

This course is 6381 meters from the largest lagoon in South Africa and in the 9th, 17th and 18 parallel to surround this magnificent body of water. Each hole on the course wasdesigned to have a spectacular view, the mountains, the lagoon facade and forests on the Arabella Golf Course and Country Estate offer this for links, parkland and coastal aspects, while the individual fairways provide natural corridors as vantage points, the true beauty of nature enjoy.

The course has been with the Golf Digest award for best new course in South Africa in 1999. In 2002 the course was rated No. 9 in South Africa Golf Digest and No. 5 in2003rd The club was also with the Compleat Golfer Five Star award in 2003 and is currently the 6th South African position on the rating structure.

The Arabella is one of the ten most beautiful golf courses in South Africa Rank and is a highly sought after course among domestic and international tourists. While the visitors have the Arabella are welcome every player an official handicap and a membership card or a handicap certificate required must be brought to the club about theDay of the game. All golfers are required to in appropriate golf attire and soft spikes dress. The Arabella facilities include classified caddies, conference rooms, a gym, driving range, swimming pool and a fantastic bar, enjoy the view from this beautiful naturally.

What else do you do while in Hermanus

While golfers may praise this tranquil town for its beautiful golf courses in Hermanus is internationally recognized as the "heart of the renowned Whale Coast" and for hisrecognized by the World Wildlife Fund as the best land based whale watching area in the world. The renowned Hermanus Whale Festival is held each year in September, to coincide with the breeding of the Southern Right Whale's season. Whales come here to show to frolic, nurse and race, and some say that visitors to Hermanus! There are also some beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants, craft markets and pubs, which can also be enjoyed while you are on your golf vacation.

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How Your Grip Effects Ball Flight

There are many different opinions on how to grab a golf club, but say very few teachers, why should you grip the club a certain way. The reason that the grip is so important because it is the only part of the body that controls the clubface, your hands.

If you have a tendency to slice the golf ball, try this:

Move both hands on the right side, so you can see one or two fingers (finger above) of the left hand. The most important part of placing your grip is to ensureboth palms are facing each other. To adjust the left hand, and then adjust the right hand so that your right palm of the left palm. - Strong Grip

If you have a tendency to have the golf ball hook, you move both hands on the left side (palms), and you should not a finger on his left hand. - Weak Grip

As my fingers to mention that I was referring to, here is what I mean.

1. After you addressed the golf ball and see you at the hands of theAddress Position.

2. You should be on your left hand to see if you can see some fingers.

Now let's talk about grip pressure.

Tip: The tighter you grip the golf club, the more the golf ball has a tendency to go on the right side. The looser you grip the golf club, the tendency is for the golf ball to go on the left.

Am Most of the time when I give a golf lesson, I can see the white knuckles of my student days, the golf club because they are so solid grip.This is wrong! Hall of Fame golfer Sam Snead once said: "Hold the club as if you hold a bird in his hands." Another quote that I ever hear is that you grip the club would ask you a tube of toothpaste stopped.

Now ... I want a little bit about my experience at the Phoenix Open shares, and give some predictions.

Every year I take some of my clients to the Phoenix Open, and last weekend I was really impressed with JBHolmes. But Imake a prediction of 2006 - that I made during the Hawaiian Open ... Camilo Villegas is my pick for Rookie of the Year ... He is the 2006 REAL DEAL ... Let us follow him, taking the 06th

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Golf's Secret Society

Is there a kind of secret in golf? Do Golf Teachers know what the rest of the golfing world does not know? And if, as is the decision made with whom to share these secrets?

These are all questions that should and must be addressed.

First 100 golf teacher put in a room and ask them what are some of the basics of golf. You get answers like grip, stance, posture, and orientation will be given.

Let's define fundamental - one of theMinimum components, without which a thing or a system would not be what it is.

Let's go through each of these and see if we can come and logical with an answer.

1. Grip - lesson tells us that this is one of the keys to playing good golf, but still great players have used a number of different grips. Harry Vardon uses an overlapping grip, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods use a locking device handle, and Moe Norman uses a ten-finger grip.

As you can see, there is no commonality inHandle type.

How about whether a grip is strong, weak or neutral? Ben Hogan used a weak grip, like Jose Maria Olazabal. David Duvall, Paul Azinger and Gene Sarazen to use a strong grip and others use a neutral grip.

To handle would not be a fundamental, since you can only use about the type or style and still playing great golf.

2. Stance - Sam Snead used a closed position and an open Jack Nicklaus. Fred Couples and Lee Trevino also an open attitude during LeeJanzen and Tom Lehman use closed.

Here too there is not an attitude of each player, it is used that is a fundamental.

3. Attitude - Ben Hogan stood almost straight up, while Hubert Green is bent forward. Dan Forsman is bent then it is generally recommended, and many players are somewhere between these two extremes. Thus, attitude can not be of fundamental importance.

4. Objective - On a shot, the 200 meters in length, a study on the PGA Tour, it is concluded that players will ZEROon the flag! You are in the direction of the flag! Again, this can not be a fundamental.

5. Alignment - Sam Snead is set up right of target and Jack Nicklaus left of goal directed. There are many players who set up closed and open.

A few years ago another study was carried out by amateur golfers and touring professionals for similarities. 76% of all right-handed golfer designed and furnished to the right of the goal! Another fundamental down the drain!

So, if allthe above-mentioned principles are not then what? What great players all have in common?

1. The ability to strike the ground before the ball, at the same place every time. Great players do not top shots not hit the ball hit the fairway or generally fat!

2. The players hit the ball a reasonable distance to the hole or the golf course to play.

3. All these great players took all the things mentioned, such as grip, stance, posture, etc. and all these changes are adjusted so that theywould have a predictable flight of the ball curvature, that they themselves could carry out.

So the bottom line is if the ball the right distance for recording beat-in-hand to control the curvature of the golf ball, and hit the ground before the ball is in the same place each time you will drop your handicap.

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Golf Swing Videos - Learn From Professional Golf Swingers

Back in the day hat, golf swing video does not exist. There were no such things. I even taught golf and tried to learn it the hard way. I was usually in the trees, stuck in the rough, the grass and 3-meter-high weeds. I was never on the fairway. Let us not forget the splash, as my shot landed in the natural water cycle case. If you know that some of you? My golf swing was terrible and could have really done with the golf videos available today. The next thing we had golf swing videosthen live on television.

Luckily for me, they showed a lot of golf in the early days of television. At that time, they had golf lessons at a very late into the night. It was almost like watching Golf videos, the action would actually be slowed right down at the Professional Golf. They could see the mechanics. And they would repeat the shot several times. Luckily they were very easy to follow. For me this was a blessing in disguise, as the lessons were the best playersall times. Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, the United States, was Gary Player, Bob Charles from South Africa and the largest left-golfers in the world from New Zealand.

My classroom was in the best hands. Apart from Sam Snead, these three great players Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Bob Charles are still playing great golf on the senior circuit today. Thanks to these talented professionals, my golf game so much I enjoy the greatest game in the world improved. Irarely play a bad shot and when I shot my recovery is brilliant. I surprised myself as well. I do not get more, made more ridiculous. Instead, most of my fellow golfers ask me for help. You ask how they can improve their golf game as I do.

Golf swing videos are available everywhere in those days. Technological advances have now progressed Golf lessons on DVD. The Internet has advanced as well, and online golf swing videos and DVD Online Golf Lessons are available now. These are extraordinarily highQuality. The golf instructions are characterized by excellent well-known golf professionals teaching today is. Do not despair as I did. Avoid sarcasm and jokes at your expense. To find out how to enjoy and improve your golf game, you learn about your secret weapon golf swing videos here.

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The Stack and Tilt Golf Swing - Some Comments

In a recent issue of Golf Digest (June 2007) a "new" golf swing, the golf coach of Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett encouraged featured. This new approach, the golf swing, is called "Stack and Tilt" swing.

The description of the Stack and Tilt swing, Peter Morrice, the author of the article, indulges in a bit exaggerated, as he says "your secret ... contradicts almost everything in the game is still taught." But is this really wield so unique?

The KeyDifference

The main difference with the "Stack and Tilt" swing is that it is totally downplayed the idea to shift your weight on your back foot when making the backswing. In fact, this "new" swing encourages the golfer to keep his or her weight on the front foot and, if anything, move it directly over the front foot in the snack bar.

Some older golfers you think will this looks like a "reverse pivot" where the golfers seems to be founded on the objective at the top ofSwing. Teacher of the typical modern swing have their golf students draw the club back and stack their weight over the back leg when the club hits the top of the swing. But Stack and Tilt encourages the golfer to lean to the goal, while the club is taken.

Some subtle differences

For many golfers, it can be difficult, the differences at first, but there are some important ones on the spot. Firstly, with the typical modern swing the back leg is bent with a slight flex onthe knee. With the Stack and Tilt the back leg straightens. The photos in the Golf Digest article (p. 122) show featured, as the back leg stretches, as it pushes back towards the target.

As a result of the front of the body "stacked" on the front foot, and the subsequent side of the body is tilted "toward the goal.

For a comparison with the typical modern swing look at photos of Tiger's swing in recent years, or see the photo of VJ Singh of SwingPage 43 of the same issue of Golf Digest. Singh torso "stacked" over the back leg at the top of the swing and the trailing side of the torso is perpendicular to the ground as he pushes his weight back over the back leg. This is quite different from the hull is to the target with the Stack and Tilt-angle swing.

It's All Been Done Before

If you are with the teachings of the most modern golf coaches, this may as a radical departure from the Gulf familiar soundOrthodoxy. But the fact that there are always alternative ways of thinking that the simplistic "weight shift" idea into question. In particular, look at old photos of Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead. None of these great golfers make the change on the back leg as you with Tiger Woods, for example.

Or have produced an accurate view of the famous 1930s videos of Bobby Jones. There is no obvious change to the back leg. Jones remains centered over the ballthroughout the swing and with a rotation around the center, as he is concerned with the lateral weight shift characteristic of the typical modern swing.

Points of Interest

There are clearly some aspects of the Stack and Tilt swing, that the average golfer can play, press the golf ball more square and accurate.

The first is the lack of weight put on the weight shift. For many golfers this idea is misleading and leads to a lateral shift that basicallyis the golf ball at a moving target. Shifting one's weight to the rear is also a "flatter" swing, walked through the valley floor increases the chances of premature. Depending on a variety of factors may lead either to fat or thin shots. As an alternative, pressing into the front foot when the club back very definitely forces a steep approach to the ball and cause less topped shots. It also leads to a lower trajectory since it de-lofts the club, and canThem a wider run on certain kinds of fairways.

The second point is that promotes a flat stack and tilt swing. A flat swing is less vertical lathes and more, and is the way to stack and tilt will be compensated more on the ball when the downturn began.

The third point is quite advanced idea of "pelvic thrust" which the Stack and Tilt teacher helps the club approaches the ball properly preserved claim. This is probably where Stack and Tilt is-todifficult for many average golfers. With Stack and Tilt, as you have the weight and shoulder position to transmit, that is the approach that the ball considerably steeper than normal. The pelvic thrust, along with the more rotational swing, helps to "shallow out the swing. This is accomplished by rapidly spinning around her hips, pushing the front hip and on the goal. This creates a sense, almost jumping up and striking the ball while on the toes. If you have ever seen NatalieGolbus swing a golf club, you a pretty good idea of what looks to have had.

If these seem like technical aspects which are about your level of experience, then call the "weight forward" idea a try. Everything you need to do is start with significantly more weight on the front foot, and then press into the mouth as you take the club to complete. You will probably find that it feels quite different than you're used to. This step should result in fewer thin hits. But it may also expresses in more results,especially with the longer clubs, so you may need to adjust the position of the ball. You may also find it more physically taxing - the more body contortions - and for most of us this is not a good thing.

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Golf Grip Tips, Get a Grip on It?

Growing up I lived near a golf course. My family plays golf there. Golf Grip Tips were fundamental lessons that I took for granted. I hit the ball everywhere except where it should go. I have every mistake in the Gulf. I landed in the rough. I was always of the course and in the trees. I landed in the sand traps. I even landed in the lake. The worst thing was, I could not get out. I still have no golf grip tips to help me. I needed golf lessons but I was ignorant.

Then I sawGolf played like pros on television. I was lucky, was late at night the only thing you could see was on TV, golf. The professionals gave tips grip golf and free golf lessons. I had that aha moment. These golf professionals were the original Golf Greats. I have learned and the best golf grip tips golf lessons, from Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and the world's best golfers. My golf game improved out of sight.

I held the club properly. I spokethe ball correctly and my golf drive was perfect. I tried doing well. I played great chip shots. I could play my way out of a sand trap. My friends and fellow golfer noticed how well I've played. I kept improving and became an outstanding amateur golfer. I exceeded my own expectations and my colleagues said I was good enough to turn professional.

Joke, they said that I need to get grip golf tips and golf lessons from a very expensive professionals. Laughing, I would say that IFortunate enough to golf lessons from Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, the best in the game.

I showed them a simple method. This is for a right handed golfer and opposite for a left handed golfer. With your palms facing is. Push the little finger of his right hand between the forefinger and middle finger of his left hand until they stick together. Place the golf grip in the natural depression formed in the middle of the hand in the crease, where the base of theTo meet your fingers. Clasp your hands together and grip your club with all ten fingers. You will find the grip, but believes interlocking natural and flexible. My fellow golfers were very impressed.

Today, you can save yourself the anxiety and embarrassment, I and my colleagues went through golf. Find out how you want the golf lessons from professionals like me can not. Learn more about how to cure all your bad habits of golf. Learn how to enjoy your golf game. Find out more about greatGolf Lessons and Golf Grip tips here in the resource box.

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Tip - The Most Important Thing You Should Know About a Golf Tip

Everyone welcomes a good tip, requested or not. It is the hope of better things to come. How to lose weight as you increase your income, how to bake a better cake - the list goes on and on. In fact, this is a consultation with a prefix, as is sure to attract an attentive ear.

Weekend hackers are the best candidates for the quick solution. They hunger for anything that can resolve a serious lack of talent, especially if it comes with a guarantee for success and a bid for any work on theirPart.

The more positive recommendation from the targeted teaching practices linked with a poor seconds seems to the promise of instant gratification.

As swimmers, they drown clutch eagerly at any indication that the ether visited. See the miracle of "never again believe three-putt" and come to you in the right place.

Professional golfers are more cautious and less likely that the dubious wisdom of others, but without that information by accepting theirTrainer. However, it is an amateur golf is not the task, and a trip to the local professional seems like an unnecessary expense.

Golf magazines stay in business because they hope to sell, accepting a large audience. Every month there is a steady stream of tips from leading professionals and experts to move the benefits of a spell or another. Attentive readers will recognize themselves a touch of cynicism of the author.

In addition to the "Better by Saturday words" of promise, there is also the marketing hypeTrick you in order to ensure the best and latest golf equipment, that are meters to attach your drives to buy to keep the ball from finding the rough, and make use a breeze.

The real problem is neatly packed with all the statement that it is in the "one size fits all 'category. There is only a modest attempt magazine editors to separate groups handicap golfers, but that's pretty much where it ends.

It is based on an assumption that what one is right, is good forthe gander. You are just another sucker on the assembly line of golfers in despair. Your magazine is here-and-now-Health - Your Game-improving path to salvation on the fairways and greens.

If someone like Tiger Woods, explains how to swing the bat to give readers a make-believe world - a golfer's fantasy land, like the Disney studios. Probably less than two percent of the amateurs have any hope of success modeling their swing to Tiger.

Golfers who are looking to try soontheir next tip on how to fix a bad back.

Tips are like aspirin. You can reduce the pain for a while, but they are rarely the root cause of the problem. Their solution is an error by another, so that the two errors balance each other out to solve. Slicing? You handle your strengths, you close your position, your club cap and so on.

The worst of the Golden Nugget advice you can offer is a golfer's fight to ensure that he or she is working on learning good fundamentals - fundamentals likethe way you swing on plane and how to set up around the globe. Of course, all this hard work tastes better and is likely to be politely rejected out of hand.

Perhaps the best tip of all, if your golf partner or friends, playing golf is going pear-shaped one that Sam Snead offered to an unhappy student - "Lay off for three weeks ... and then quit for good."

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How to Beat a Case of the Putting Yips and Improve Your Golf Scores

Lose confidence, over short putts?

It may feel as if you are holding a live snake. Her hands uncontrollably jerk back from the ball, and dragged us with a stab forward swing.

The three-foot putt was a simple shot - but the fact is, many people develop an anxiety, phobias, and even for those short putts. Have the yips, have suffered without regard for the reputation or skill - some of the greatest players of all time of the game and thank God overcome this terrible problem.Sam Snead back to a lateral position and Bernhard Langer had a number of ways, including its current share "broom" finished putter will beat this demon in the resort.

If you suffer with your confidence or getting a nervous, then try these tips to smooth your stroke and confidence and authority in putting.

You can expect a detailed description of the correct implementation of stroke or a detailed technical assessment of the common problems.If so, then for a big surprise! I'm going through sharing with you what I have works in my own experience starting and it is not based on any physical or technical - so please read my article and give it a try. I think you'll be surprised at this first bit ... and pleasantly surprised at the results!

First, it will occupy your thoughts. Focus it on something so your mind can not be distracted - sometimes your inner thoughts can be your worst enemy. Chat, so that allKinds of problems. A skill as if you are, where they are strongest demons. How many times have you tried to throw a screwed up piece of paper into a wastebasket and succeeded? You may have noticed that if you do not think - you. Once you miss start to think about - you.

It is very important that you do not remember what you do not want to do - because your mind can not tell the difference in such a situation. So how do you take your opinion? Well,There are several techniques that you can try - my personal favorites are as follows:

Repeat a short verse over and over again through your setup routine practice stroke and then repeatedly putting your ... it should be a poem, nothing to do with golf and holing putts and has nothing to do special. If it's a bit light hearted - then even better. An example might look something like: "I see shells on the beach" or "One, Two Skip to My Loo".
Alternatively, you cantry to count - you can countdown to 5 to 1 or 1 to 5 You can include in your native language or another language. I have tried this in the past and found a specific version I liked. I had learned a little Romanian and using it. I found it difficult enough that I had to concentrate on the language and not let the mind wander ... cinci ... patru ... trei ... doi ... unu ... I want my swing mid-way through the crowd somewhere (4-3 release - trei patru and in myExample). It's not a countdown to taking your stroke - but it's just something to occupy your mind and you do it unconsciously stroke.My last tip in this article is probably the easiest you'll ever hear - but it really works and I putt always with me best when I think of it.

Relax ... have no tension in the arms ... Easy to handle ... Hold it as easy as possible ...

That's it! Visit my site and let me know how you and read more tips on how to getImprove your putting and lower your golf scores.

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Golf - Planning For Success

Golf plan for success. If you are really determined to improve your golf game and lower your handicap then please read on, if not, then do not waste your time reading this article, because what you find out is to, in this overview of a particular program is about effort and technique that is practiced in any case, if your game to improve and reduce your handicap, but like all other systems, it is worthwhile takes time and practice to learn and show all the techniques in developingthe program, so if you are not a person who sees projects leads to an end stop reading right now.

Okay, so you're still with me and read further for the success of this program, which is good, it proves you are a confident person who loves it and capable of being successful.

From this point on your golf game will improve if you described at each step in this amazing system for success.

The great Arnold Palmer once said: "Their performance has a wayAre your expectations met. "

What a wise and wonderful to cite. It is exactly what is needed at this point in this article.

Do performance and expectations certainly go hand in hand. For example, if your performance is weak, then your unplanned hope of success is not very high, but if you go well prepared and confident that your attitude and planning, the course is playing, go to relevant, then you're ninety percent to win on the road to the game andTo reduce your handicap.

The remaining ten percent is up to you and what you must do to be successful.

Here are some ideas to check a list of self-examination.

I'm going to ask you this question: "You can get angry if you make a bad record?

Anger is the condition for the failure. If you're a bad shot, you go and learn from the mistakes made, but not angry, because anger increases the adrenaline, your mind into a mode of preparation of the voltage and sendsrushed decision-making.

The player who can still get angry at his last shot and reduces its concentration on the next shot. That is the formula for disaster. You must accept your mistake and take focused only on the next hole and how you play in it.

Do you understand how we got into the rhythm of the game. Feel the pulse of how your mind is to adapt to the power of the game?.

Can you focus your mind as if you meditate on speciallyYour own game and nothing else?.

Let your partner golf shots you get angry when he is in front bezel with his scoring?

The great Sam Snead used to softly whistle a waltz, as he from shot to shot. This was his way of avoiding distractions and allowed him to keep his mind focused on his game and his game only.

You need to feel free to use without disturbing your opponent, what keeps you focused as you through your round.

The only setting youshould be on a golf course is totally focused to win a total value of determination and full commitment and to reduce your handicap.

If you play your handicap every game, even if it only reduced by one stroke, then you win games and become a fighter to be reckoned with.

For more good information, I would ask you to click below and check the methods and begin your journey to more focused and successful.

Happy golfing.

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Headgear - If You Want to Get Ahead, Try Getting a Hat

The choice of headgear gives us a glimpse into the life companies.

Over the centuries, men and women, their headquarters for a variety of reasons have covered. The history of headgear parallels the lives and living conditions of the various companies. From the beginnings of religion played a major role in the custom of not venture into a public place without a head covering. The followers of these days to cover their heads outside to demonstrate their religious convictions.

Similarly,Culture influences the choice of headgear. Office-holders to give their rank and status in the community through their clothing. A king wears a crown and a firefighter wearing a helmet and not vice versa. But for those who is outside the practical and lasting reason for wearing on her head a little work to protect themselves against the elements and the dangers of the workplace.

Golf was in the second half of the 19th Century by men played with cylinders. This form of headgearmeans that you were rich and powerful. Golf was then a game, reserved mainly for the aristocracy and bourgeoisie, which for the liberal professions and those involved in the construction trades. Men dressed in order to display their wealth and impress.

The hat was the ultimate status symbol. That may have been wearing a hat, an outward show of money, but they must be very inconvenient if the strong winds blew over the Scottish links. Fashion historian Colin McDowell describes the cylinder as"The power of political conservatism and the rule of the status quo."

It obviously impressed the Japanese, as they adopted the custom of wearing the cylinder during the Meiji period from 1868 to 1912. But golf is only in Japan has started in 1901 when Arthur Hesketh Groom, an English tea merchant constructed a four-hole golf course, near Kobe.

As the game progresses more and more affordable in the UK and has more people of a lesser position in life, good sense of what they hear about your dressHead enforced. The cylinder was replaced by one or more clearly tam O'Shanter flat cap. This was in the wind and his head protected from rain and cold.

Images of golfers in the first half of the 1900s show the majority of golfers with a flat lid. It was this "Andy Capp" look, was exported to the colonies, and North America. It has been an essential part of the uniform of a golfer.

Everything has changed, and few people remained faithful to the traditional cloth cap that Ben Hoganwore during his playing days. Headgear has a billboard for advertisers, and for some golfers a way to draw attention to themselves so that they are out from the crowd.

On a tour through the headgear of choice is the baseball-style cap or golf visor. With sunglasses now becoming increasingly popular, the players are committed to their sunglasses, instead, if not in use, on the back of the cap, not to hide the logo of the sponsor. Caddies themselves are paid to the sponsor's cap, as is the power of the wearAdvertising.

If you are the subject of skin cancer, the most sensible hats are concerned for golf is a hat with a full edge. This gives you maximum protection from harmful rays of the sun. Sam Snead and Chi Chi Rodriguez wore straw hats throughout their careers, long before scientists began to lead their concerns about health problems with ozone depletion, to express.

Mr. Lu of Thailand, the Asian golf on the world map laid cut a distinctive figure on the golf courseOf course, with its colorful Pork Pie Hat. Today, golf hats are not fashionable, as they tend to be associated with older humans. Greg Norman has increased its share their profiles with a variation of the Paul Hogan of Crocodile Dundee look.

So what should wear headgear when you play golf? It does not really matter, within reason. I am sure that if a player or a miter Jungle Explorer's pith helmet came sports, he would be pulled aside and then a quiet word of advice on compliance with theTraditions of the old game.

That is, if you can not impress with your golf, you avoid the dark by their own trade mark style of headgear. Who knows, you can set a new fashion trend and appear on the cover of Time magazine.

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Golf is Full of Misinformation - Facts Vs Fiction

The world of golf is filled with mis information! It is no wonder that players around the world are confused and not better. It is not their fault! They justify their golf swings on information that will not help them.

The truth is that everything is in motion to obey, whether they have a golf club, a vehicle to open or close a door, all the laws of force and motion. Disobedience to these laws result in faulty execution and operation.

Have a long flat spot inIts momentum. What a bunch of garbage! Who thought this up know nothing about geometry. The golf club swings on a circle, and there are no flat spots in a circle! The player can feel like they are moving the club on a straight line, but that's not humanly impossible.

How about meeting with "on the ball." Another fallacy that has grown to the extent that just because someone that is a "has name", says to do this? Here too we do not need a "rocket scientist" to understand that there is a lowPoint in a golf stroke. Any ball struck from this low point, would require that the club swinging keep moving downwards to the bottom of the stroke - Low Point - NOT on the ball would have either before, during or after the Impact!

Swing down the target line for better accuracy. Now this one would be correct if we played golf on a vertical plane! But since we're playing on a tendency to - Inclined plane - then falls under the rubric COMPLETE bullshit!

The club is on the target machineLine in two points. To address if the club is not well founded, and on low-point. Apart from working on the "Alternate Line objective." Here, too, simple geometry dictates that the golf club to move backward, upward and inward on the back stroke. This also means that the club needs to work downward, outward and forward in the downswing.

How many times have we all heard that the hips to create power. This was brought about, not through scientific research, but by that which has great players feel like they were doing. TheHips have a responsibility, but that create a separation between all subsequent parts. The tee goes from the ground up, meaning feet, knees, hips, shoulders, arms, hands and club. This is called "Pivot delay" and
When you finished making the club head was right. Basically there are four generators and they are;

1. Bending and straightening the right arm
2. The stretching and relaxing of the left wrist
3. The "role" of the left wrist
4. The left armRadiation from the breast

Ben Hogan in the classic book, "Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf" Mr. Hogan is swung as shown in a pane of glass. While this is a great visual, it is not the plane, it's a plane, and is totally the players choice. The plane is called the angle of the club be described on the street. The club can not, or, go to another plane angles during the stroke. Swinging beats or can use any level definable angle.

1. Hands Only Plane
2.Elbow Plane - the most commonly used
3. Turned Parts Shoulder Plane
4. Squared Shoulder Plane
5. Turning Shoulder Plane

What is important about the level that the player the club at every level angle they want, as long as does not move the base of the aircraft can move.

Play the ball at the same place. Another of them, what do you think of phrases. Golf clubs are not the same length, yet they are the same loft. This in and of itself to require that the ball will be positioned after theDesign of the club. There are other factors with ball placement as well and are involved, the player's hand speed of the downward movement Plane angle, and the pivoting motion.

Hold the club as easily as if you had a bird in the hand. Have you ever seen a picture of Sam Snead operation of the golf club? The veins in his forearms are popping out! This is not the sign of someone who the club easily!

Think about it. The club is moving about 100 miles per hour, and a meetingObject that stands still. If you hold the club lightly, two things are likely.

1. You lose your grip
2. The clubhead twisting at Impact

Hold the club, but keep the wrists, forearms, elbow joints, shoulders and soft.

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The Masters - Get Your Tickets To The Green

Popularity of golf has increased in recent years, especially now that young players opened the game for a wider audience. These days, you can catch golf tournaments on television as easily as football or basketball play-offs. But why sit at home when you can get tickets? About a reliable online ticket provider, you also can watch, play as your favorite for the coveted jacket.

Throughout the year, competing in various golf tournaments around the globe. For the best players, theThe goal is for the gentlemen to qualify one of the four major competitions of the men. The Masters, an invitation only competition is played each first year, offers the year's performers a chance to see each other for the coveted Green Jacket challenge. In addition, the winner of the Masters is automatically qualified for the other three major competitions.

The Masters is one of the oldest major tournaments. The first annual match was held in 1934. It also has the distinction of beingthe only major tournament in the same course every year - at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Getting to the Augusta National sidelines is easy for any golf fan.

Every year during the first full week in April to bring their best competitors Augusta. The first three days are reserved for practice rounds, and on Wednesday of the Par 3 Contest is held. The Par 3 Contest is a separate competition, consisting of nine holes over DeSoto Springs Pond and Ike playedPond.

Tournament golfers, non-competing past champs and an honorary member are invited to welcome the only player to compete. Strangely, no one has ever been the Par 3 Contest and the Masters Championship won in the same year.

For the rest of the week, the players are engaged in four rounds - an eighteen-hole round per day, instead thirty-six rounds on the third day. This schedule eliminates the need for the qualification rounds. You can get tickets for events on all seven days, even if theTournament suppliers.

The Masters has a long and colorful tradition that is appreciated by players and spectators alike. As part of this tradition, the golfers and fans of the dignity and sportsmanship make that appreciated its founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. The Green Jacket tradition began in 1937, but the first green jacket was not actually awarded until 1949, to Sam Snead, that this year's winners.

In 1958, commentator Warren Wind coined theTerm "Amen Corner" to describe the high level of difficulty of the holes 11, 12 and 13 Every golfer, the Augusta course, knows the pitfalls of this play three holes and has to tell his very own "Amen" to. Many of these stories, we have seen, we saw, whether on television or the fear of living there on the sidelines.

Without fail, someone posts amazing stats or breaks a record, whether it is a personal best or a tournament record. To this day, Jack Nicklaus holds the record for most victories with six. ArnoldPalmer and Tiger Woods tied with four wins each. Jack's sixth victory in 1986 made him the oldest world champion in forty-six. Tiger's victory in 1997 to 21, made him the youngest golfer to win the the tournament.

Other interesting records include the best comebacks in 1990 by Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods by seven strokes with seven strokes also in 2005. The 2007 winner, Zach Johnson, three attempts before winning his first green jacket. According to tradition, last year's winner in Zach'sCase, Phil Mickelson, offers a distinctive jacket the new champion. Nick Faldo (1989 & 1990), Jack Nicklaus (1965 & 1966) and Tiger Woods (2001 & 2002) are the only three golfers successfully defend their title. Come April, Zach Johnson play the chance to join select this option group.

With so many talented players competing for a Masters green jacket, the tournament promises to be interesting. Getting there but it is much easier than in a collision with a hole in one. If you are a golf fan,The Masters is an event not to miss.

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The One Plane Vs Two Plane Golf Swing - So, What is the Difference Exactly?

There has been much talk lately about a plane and two planes were swings. With so much information out there, it is easy to confuse the average golfer. One professional said that you have an opportunity to do something and someone else tells you to swing a different way. So, the person is right? Well, actually they're both probably right. Confusing that the thing about golf can be. There are more than one way to swing a club. But what we need to figure out is the language of instruction isright for your swing. So, let's get started ...

The One Plane Golf Swing Vs. Two Plane Golf Swing

There are trying to determine a great debate to see what the swing is better a plane or two planes. This argument will probably never come to a concrete answer, because professional golfers that are used every kind.

For example, include some of the airplane Golfer: Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Chad Campbell and Scott McCarron. These golfers swing their clubaround her body on a flat surface, which helps them keep their shoulders in line at the top of the swing.

Swinging on the other hand, with two designers have a straight pattern. Her left arm is much steeper than the shoulder at the top of their swing. A few professionals who use this type of Swing Jack Nicklaus, Colin Montgomerie, Hale Irwin, and Sean O'Hair.

There are two types of golfers that we have just mentioned, on two completely different principles for the focus of theirSwings. These principles are quite opposites to each other and therefore we have a lot of conflicting information get from golf instructor, as we should swing a golf club.

So, what swing is right for me?

OK, now we know the difference between the two planes and a plane golf swing. So, the swing is right for you? What ?..... you're still confused. That's okay, that's why I'm here.

It is important, with a swing that is comfortable for you to go. However, with that hisI said, recommending the approach of a plane. Why? Because it is definitely a simple golf swing to learn. In addition, more and more professionals are starting to understand that this and change its momentum in an airplane.

The easier it is your swing, the less chances you have to make mistakes such as slicing, hooking, or topping the ball. What we want is a swing, consistency and accuracy at the same time.

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Tiger Woods, the Greatest Ever? -NOT!

Tiger is great, but still a long way from claiming the title of "greatest ever to play The Game." Although I do not think he is more than on the way to say that illustrious title, God willing. But until then, Slammin 'Sammy Snead is my pick. That's right, not even Nicklaus.

If you look at the 11 win gap between Jack's total of 70 victories and Sam 's 81 and FIG Sam' s total of 165 victories, he says, no one even close. SorryJack. Now figure in the shape of the courses today, equipment, and the intensity of competition and there is no doubt that Sammy is the man. Remember, playing against Sam, Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan - all born the same year - they were regarded as the era of the "Big Three". Hogan gained a total of 63 victories, and Nelson won 52, both of them in the top 5 of all time winners list. Does anyone really know what Tiger's best competition today, will end up in theillustrious group? I think not.

Static whole, but there is a large gap between the top of the list of winners of all time, not even the great Walter Hagen bridges. Hagen, 7 Place with 40 victories, is eleven years after the 6th Placeholder, Billy Casper. Eleven wins is a whole career even a great player on the tour today. Again, I ask you, are the gap between the number 2 on the list, Jack Nicklaus and number 1, Sam Snead, eleven victories.

Even if youvehement "Tigernite or Nicklaus groove, you acknowledge includes the all time golf's elite, very few, 6 to be exact: Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson and Billy Casper. And Billy Casper gets my vote for the greatest player with the least recognition, by far.

Now I'll really tick from Tigernites. My money says he never arrives. (But I'm not betting the really big money) Why? I think he runs out of desire.The bigger he gets, the closer he gets, the more he wins, will ever build up more pressure. Has he ever shown any weakness, it is his temperament, which is sometimes the best of it. While the pressure to mount, and with the glare of the media from today it will, I think that the pressure sooner or later take him down. No, I'm not ahead, he will go "postal" and throw a camera in a lake with the owner, still in it, but I think the "fire in the belly" cents. And if I'm right, itis a travesty to lose, not the greatest that ever played, but one of the largest that could overthrown "have the" Greatest player that ever lived, Sam Snead!

Only time will tell!

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No permit is required to an unedited copy of this article as long as the About the Author tag to reproduce is left in tact and hot links are included. E-mailfloyd@sbmag.org.

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Putting: The Secret To Shaving Strokes

My friend and I had coffee the other day, and he was complaining about how his game has become obsolete. He really believes he has reached a plateau where no more strokes, which are obtained during a round of golf. He was depressed, to say the least, but he was also wrong.

My buddy is not Sam Snead (and I do not), but he's a solid player. His drives are generally reasonable in both distance and trajectory, meaning that he does not hook or a bit more than the rest of us.His mid-game is good, he knows how to choose and use his long irons, his close game is very good and he can out of a bunker when he ventured into a. All in all a good, solid game.

Until it on the green.

What I proposed to him is something I think we can all learn. If you are four or five putt most greens on your course by using a lot of strokes to your total score. My suggestion to my friend was that instead of trying to improve the other parts of hisGame, if it just a putt less stroke (on the four and five-putt holes), he would shave a significant portion of the blows of his game. If he could be a putting out of every hole, he had saved 18 strokes!

Well, if you are already a good putter, this is not likely work for you. But if you usually get on the green in regulation and then have more than twice the putt into the cup, well might, yes, maybe you, too, a few strokes, you improve your game just by shaving your puttingSkills.

There are lots of tips on how to implement - a job, and some are just goofy - but also nothing more than improve your putting practice. My boyfriend spends no time on the practice green, and it shows when he's on the pitch. But in his case - and in many other cases, I suspect - it is really no other part that he can improve his game. And, frankly, he does not need to spend time on the drive - he has nailed the. He needs time to spend and share. That's what'sMurder of his score card.

If you know - or even suspect - that their implementation is poor, increase the driving range and get on the green. You'll be amazed at how fast your reaction can be improved if you practice only spend a little time each week of the putts. This improvement is also up to the next round of golf, and you will easily see marks subside.

Practice putts!

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Vijay Singh Or Lee Chong Wei? They're All The Same To Sports Journalists

You have the choice between an all-expense paid trip to Fiji on business-class golfer Vijay Singh to interview just days after a U.S. PGA Tour record, or cover the opening laps of the Malaysian Open badminton tournament.

What would any normal person? Unfortunately, journalists are far from the norm - in the hour they work and how they write their perspective on who is a star and who is not.

That is why sports writers will tell you it's not about the name, it istell about the story they.

This is the second time I refused, went to Fiji Islands Travel, namely, the first a few years ago, when Singh at his home to start work on his own golf course there.

Was it an easy decision? Yes it was. Reuters asked me a week before if I was okay for the badminton, and I said I was.

Was it painful? Extreme. Coup plots aside, Fiji Sun, sea and sand desert island of choice when it comes to a country after washingShipwreck.

But the appeal of sports journalism comes from the unusual, which I will explain later. This is how all sports journalists learn to write. Or should at least do that.

The Fiji offer came from Asian Golf Monthly, for which I write a column entitled "bunker blues".

The boss told me that was only because Singh, Fiji travel to a victory in Kapalua, Hawaii on Sunday its 30th Career titles and 18 since turning 40 - Sam Snead edges before decided to takefor post-40 victories.

As a journalist, you've got to be professional about these things (he says as he cries in his morning tea, stand out in a conical glass with a cherry and a mini-umbrella, only to him what he is missing recall comes in).

I write in my ebook "Secrets, as top professionals to write news" is that it does not matter whether you're Tiger Woods or your local interview under-15s bowling player, because everyone has a story to tell.

How I learned to writeand grew as a journalist, this concept has to be strengthened, especially if you, like some of the bland-known sports "stars" will be realized.

However, this is Fiji we're talking about, eh? I will someday, God willing.

Sports News will not hit as hard as a restricted narrow News Items In the words that you use, and what you can relate to.

In sport, can you get into the life of the person. Discover the human side.

When the U.S. bombed in IraqThe end of 1998, I was press at the Asian Games in Bangkok, covering for Agence France.

I went into the athletes village this morning and found a Kuwaiti runner who said he was taken prisoner by the army of Saddam Hussein before the first Gulf War and subsequently liberated by U.S. troops.

His sports, his results, his training regime were just stories on this page its history.

When writing sports stories they have so much more than beats as you have feelings, ambition, power,Victims and many other aspects of the drama to your writing.

Talk to athletes, ask them how they got there, what they have last night, ate what they have to have any problems to the venue. Ask them about their lives.

You will see how much it can enrich your items. Journalism is about people, and sport can tell their stories better than any other writing genre, in my humble opinion.

Regardless of whether it was in Malaysia to top badminton player Lee Chong Wei or Vijay Singh, itare both the same on the other side of my notebook. Their star status depends on the story they have to tell.

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The Golf Swing - My Seven Step Checklist - Step 1 - The Grip

In this letter, I will grip the Step 1 of my seven step checklist for the golf swing is to be discussed. After years of reading, practicing and experimenting with different methods and techniques to prepare for the golf swing I have broken down simply to seven steps that work for me. Since I am not a professional golf instructor and I do not pretend to be, I will only present proven ideas and methods that will work for me. Every golfer is different and what kind does not alwaysWorking for someone else. On the other hand, there are basic principles and techniques employed by 95% of golfers will be used and I firmly believe that the steps I am presenting here will work for a majority of the reading of this article. I have taken over thirty years of experience and assimilation of the correct golf swing in order to present this information. The seven steps in my swing checklist are 1 - The Grip, 2 - The Set Up, 3 - The Waggle, 4 - The backswing, 5 - speed, 6 --Downswing, & 7 - The Follow Through. I set tempo in the middle, because it is an integral part of the entire swing from start to finish and differentiated considered in a future writing.

As already mentioned, when I learned to play first Golf, it requires a lot of experimenting and reading golf books and magazines, to really get a feel for the correct golf swing for me. The grip is a very important and integral part of the swing. There are a number of different types of gripMethods. There is the Vardon Grip (after the great Harry Vardon is one of the best golfers from the early 20th century) The Baseball Grip, also appropriately named because the grip is like a, you can use to keep a baseball bat, and my personal favorite name, the interlocking grip, the interlocking of the two hands together form includes the handle. Note: Many of the teaching books, DVD's and videos to illustrate these grips if you want to see them in a visualPresentation. If you are sports oriented and have never read or seen any instructions on the handle can then have a tendency to use, and feel more comfortable with his baseball grip as I begin.

Although it felt better I was not satisfied with the results. One day I was playing in a group with a much better, probably a two to four handicap. I took some of his swing techniques and one of the things that I found was his golf grip. As wewaited for a hole, I asked him about it. He showed me how to do it and I have not changed since my grip. The steps that I have now in my attitude golf grip as follows: 1 - I, or the birthplace of the club in the folding part of the fingers of his left hand so that the tip of the club rise to about 1 "to 1 1 / 2" past the lower part of the same hand that will actually be confronted and upward toward the waist and belt area when the club during the preparation in full swing. Note: While graspingwith his left hand to ensure that the clubface is closed or near perpendicular to the finish line. Even for a fairly strong grip, which I would recommend to make sure that the first two or three fingers of his left hand are positioned on top so that you can see it, if you relied on your hands and club.

Then, the thumb can put his left hand on the top of the handle at a slight angle to the right, while the thumb straight and on top of the club. Note: There aredifferent ways to allow the handle club (stronger and weaker grips) to your swing, the ball left or right to work, but it is an advanced technique should not be attempted until the game has progressed to a certain extent. Next part of the club into the folds of the fingers of his right hand and locking the pinky of his right hand has the index finger of the left side so that the derivation of the name of interlocking grip. The fleshy part of the palm of his right hand, thumb attached,must face upwards, so you can also see how the fingers of the left side. Note: You can experiment to the range with the adjustment of the strength of the grip that works best for you, turn (right hand for a better grip and weaker on the left) Also note that the control method is mentioned for right-handed player and should be reversed for left-handed golfers. Another important thing to remember, to be dealt with in Step 2 - The Set Up is - notLet your right shoulder forward when under the handle with your right hand. It should remain back and aligned with the left shoulder. It should also be somewhat lower than the left side because your right hand to a lower value if the club below the grip.

One tip I would suggest to help with your focus on the purpose, is to pick an intermediate target, which is (very close in front of you it may be a leaf, dandelion, or discoloration in the grass, ba, etc.), is also in lineshot with the ball and finish line to the intended landing area in the fairway or the green and the use of this take your place. The Vardon grip is similar to the interlocking grip, with the exception of the fact that the right little finger between the outside of the left index and middle fingers, and not lulled into each other at all. The baseball grip is basically the same as if you held a bat in his hand and prepare to hit a baseball. It is probably the most convenient,especially for the new golfer, but in my opinion the least effective of the grip selection. The interlocking or Vardon grips feel more uncomfortable at first but once you get them you'll be much happier with the improvement they can promote in your game. This is the first part of my "Swing" checklist and an important one at that. If you are on the field or swinging in your garden, take the time to handle your work is so second nature to you.

In closing, Iwould like to add a very important and often overlooked part of the entire golf swing - "RELAX" - do not let tension creep into every part of your golf swing. The association should be careful in your hands weigh about as much pressure as if you were in possession of a baby's hand or a small bird (in the hands of an analogy, I think, used by Sam Snead, one of the all time golf greats) and use the old expression "Let the club do the work." You will be amazed at how swing speed and surpriseTechnology, together with a relaxed mind and body, so produce much better results. Happy Golf to All!

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The Single Most Important Aspect of Golf

There are one million golf tips out there. It can be very overwhelming, remember to keep your head down, keep your left arm straight, tee the ball high enough not to bend your knees, or if you bend your knees, but not too much, all the while try, the ball without completely embarrassed in front of you friends. Forget all that. Listen to a single tip and you'll do great.

If it will hear a golf pro that it would be Harvey Penick. He was the trainer for golferssuch as Ben Hogan and Sam Snead. He is the coach everyone belongs, when it comes to golf. Although he no longer with us, also continue to sell his books, as they arrived yesterday. He was a piece of advice, if they play golf and how the practice of "drive for show, putt for dough." Truer words were never spoken.

For example, does what an additional 20 meters to the hard drive "You are only 20 meters closer to the needle. Sure, it can get you closer to the hole in theIn the long run, but what if you do not putt worth darn? You'll never get it in the hole!

It is a crazy game, but a 2-inch putt counts just as a 350 meters to go. What do you think is easier to learn how to do it? 2-putt from anywhere on the lawn, or press 350 meters every time you walk up to the ball? I know what's easier for me.

So the next time you think you want to improve to reach your car, ask yourself, "why?" Is it because you really improve your game, or want toImpress your friends? I think they will be more impressed if you are a scratch golfer.

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The Masters

Go directly to the thing itself, the great folk-season opener. (Despite my criticism of the geographical mismatch for the movement of the players until May, at least in this way we have a great one months from now until August.)

The Masters is won by the top players in a particular decade. Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen won in the 1930s. Nelson, Jimmy Demaret and Sam Snead won in the 40s. Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Snead and Demaret won in the '50s. Jack Nicklaus,Palmer and Gary Player won in the 60s. Tom Watson, Raymond Floyd, Fuzzy Zoeller, Nicklaus and Player won in the 70s. Seve Ballesteros, Ben Crenshaw, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Nicklaus and Watson all won in the 80s. Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Jose Maria Olazabal, Faldo and Langer all won in the 90s. In this decade, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson and Tiger have won.

The 60s were by Palmer and Nicklaus, who has won three times dominated. Ought to be the same way, Woods with three andMickelson with two. (Singh won in 2000, Mike Weir in 2003.)

The point is that when you look at the winners over the history of the tournament, you see mostly top players. Leaderboards at The Masters are usually an All-Star team. This is not a major to take a chance with a 150-1 shot. (It’s fun to look at the long,long, long shots, though: Would you take Ballesteros at 750-1 or Nicklaus at 1000-1? Player at 5000-1,anyone?)

That said, there are some compelling possibilities under 100-1. How Olazabal at 66-1. Bottom line: the man can still play. How Charles Howell III at 50-1. He is already going in office pools. He is the not-so-under-the-radar pick. Local boy stay with mom and dad this week, after an excellent year is already a victory, etc.

The mid-range rates are still attractive. Henrik Stenson, Jim Furyk and Padraig Harrington 33-1 act as cost-effective moves. Furyk, in particular. He had a long putt on the 18th last year only to the cut, and makehe finished T22. He has three top-10 in Augusta to boot. Probably the best deal is Adam Scott at 33-1. He won last week, he won the Tour Championship and the player, so it is not foreign to big tournaments with strong fields. And, as Johnny Miller pointed out last weekend, his swing looks identical to Tiger again. He was shaky with short putts on Thursday and Friday, though. You can not miss many opportunities if you are close fight in Augusta.

Thepicks are below. As I've often said, this is my favorite sporting event of the year for many reasons, near the top of the list, which is the relative lack of commercials. Oh, and the pretty flowers are on the list. And, of course. The smooth greens. And the sound of birds chirping in the Georgia spring. And Amen Corner. The accuracy of the required number 13 And ...

At The Masters take Tiger Woods (11-8), 1 / 6 unit: When Tiger says he likes the way he plays, that's what he saidLooking after winning the CA Championship two weeks ago.

Take advantage of Vijay Singh (16-1), 1 / 6 unit: When Vijay says he was then close to winning which is what happened three weeks ago at Arnie's tournament, look out.

Take Retief Goosen (25-1), 1 / 6 unit: The last five trips to Augusta: T3, T3, T13, T13, 2

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Bring the Real Game of Golf Back

I freely admit to playing a fanatic of the great game of golf as well as a lifelong fan of the professional game. I for the first time since the pro circuit when Arnold Palmer broke on the scene like a swashbuckling D'Artagnan. I quickly fell in love with the nearly poetic beauty of the game and became fascinated by his bold adventure Palmer.

From today's perspective, we look back to the days, the days of early television feeble attempts for a gameover many acres, and realize that what was then called "fast" greens were, in reality, excruciatingly slow and bumpy. And that is tied to conditions, ragged for the most part. Note that some of the repetitions of the All Star Golf and the early Shell's Wonderful World of Golf on the Golf Channel and you'll see what I mean.

It only makes all the more remarkable the achievements of the great men of this day and the days long before them. Like, for example, under these conditions, was Byron Nelsoncapable of an incredible scoring average, for decades until Tiger Woods (who would otherwise stand) set broke it in 2000. But the record was broken on courses to a degree that Nelson could only dreamed of in his best-kept.

All of which brings us to the current day and what's wrong with this great game. Although today's players are bigger, stronger and better than any air conditioning, which has gone before. And true, their talent level is higher as a whole - after all, they have had amazingRole models from whom to learn. They've also had the benefit of an unprecedented amount of research and electronic analysis that are not absent during the time of their predecessors.

It is normal and even beneficial that the overall level of talent and general knowledge is maintained and improved that any records on a fairly regular basis as Father Time marches on. But what we have seen over the last ten to twenty years is too much.

Players on the Champions Tour are the ball further thanas they ever in their prime on the regular tour. The average driving distance on the regular tour is increasing geometrically. Architects are forced to stretch classic courses to inconceivable length courses now regularly measure an incredible 7,500 meters - and I think the general health of the game is suffering.

It is in some ways similar to what happens in basketball over the years. Once a fascinating game of finesse, it has become nothing more than a group ofextremely tall people dashing madly up and down the court and lay tucked the ball angrily into the basket. What used to be fouls are ignored - traveling and become palms the ball is now routine. Almost anything goes in today's world of Full Contact Basketball. By the complicated interplay, is that once the game a joy.

Golf is in danger of going through the same type of injury. With the incredible advances in club and ball technology that have gone largely unchecked by the USGA andR & A, great courses are obsolete, records are fodder for the shredder and the game is finesse, except in the case of some modern players such as Woods and Michelson disappear at an alarming rate. It will be a 'slam it hard and find it "game.

When did you last saw a pro gently cut a long iron - and I have a 1 or 2 iron - into the target talking about? Today's ball is harder to curve and fewer and fewer pros master the art of handling the ball.

I liked JackNicklaus 'idea a few years ago - his suggestion of a "standard ball', if you will. Strictly regulate the distance the ball can go under normal circumstances, to maintain the integrity of our great courses. Let's make talent the determining factor, not attack, who happens to read the latest technology.

A great story is told of Sam Snead playing Pinehurst # 2. When he was in his prime, he used a 1 iron on one of the longer par 3 holes on the golf course. Many years later, plays on theSenior Tour, he used a 3 iron. He was well into his 50s at the time.

The classic picture of Ben Hogan at Merion in 1950 hitting a 1 iron to the 18th Green is another example. Years later when I visited the Green Party and was closely monitored in the same place Jack Nicklaus with a 5 iron.

We need to get the game under control. The big players are still the great players - Tiger Woods would be a force of nature in the past few days have been, as it is today - but the big winnerswould be the classic courses like Merion, which extend no more room to have today's super boomers space, the environment, since less area would be needed, and requires less maintenance, and the history and integrity of the game.

Copyright 2008 Jim Nettleton

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