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One Hour Golf Practice Plan For Improvement

Would you like to improve your golf game?

If you can spend an hour of your time practicing your golf game here is what I suggest you do to get the most benefit out of this time.

When you arrive at the practice area the very first thing you should do is a few stretches to warm up and you should do this for anything up to 5 minutes or until you’re warm. Once you’re loosened up the next thing you should do is to start off hitting a couple of wedge shots and then slowly go through each club in your bag, hitting a few shots with each one until you reach your driver. This process should take about 20 minutes. When hitting these shots you should treat each one as though it’s a real shot on the golf course. In other words, choose a precise target for each shot and then go through your normal pre-shot routine.

Once you’ve finished the 20 minutes of hitting full shots you should now practice pitching for 15 minutes and you should do this by hitting shots to all different distances.

What I mean be hitting shots different distances is that you should aim to hit one shot 30 yards, the next one 60 yards, one 75 yards, the next 40 yards etc, etc. And remember to treat each shot, as you would on the course i.e. pick a target and do your pre-shot routine.

Now practice your chipping and bunker play for the next 10 minutes and once again pick a target and go through your pre-shot routine for each shot. It’s important that you treat each shot as a real one and not some practice shot that doesn’t matter.

When practicing get yourself into the mindset that you have on the course. That way when you get to the course you’ll be better prepared.

You’ve now got 10 minutes left to work on your putting. And I suggest you practice putts outside of 10 feet, concentrating on your distance control and then end the practice session with some short putts (e.g. 2-3 footers). Do this so you leave your practice session on a successful note. Here’s a summary of your 1 hour practice session …

One Hour Weekly Practice Session

  •  5 minutes of stretching to get warm.
  •   20 minutes of hitting a couple of shots with each club, starting with the wedge and then progressing through your clubs until reaching the driver.
  •   15 minutes hitting pitch shots different distances i.e. 20 yards, 45 yards, 60 yards, 30 yards etc. Never attempt to hit a shot the same distance during this 15 minutes period.
  •   10 minutes of chipping and bunker shots.

Final 10 minutes of putting, mainly working on distance control on putts outside of 10 feet and then finishing off this time with some successful short putts.

Remember To Approach Each Practice Shot As Though It’s Real Shot On The Golf Course

Nick Bayley is a professional golfer who has discovered just one golf swing fault that could be stopping YOU from ball striking consistency and success. But luckily for you, now you can take a simple 2 minute golf swing test to see if you have this swing fault or not. So don’t delay!

Go here to take The Golf Swing Test™ now: http://www.yourgolfswingtest.com/

Fix Your Golf Slice With This Proven Formula

Want a proven formula to fix your golf slice? Well, as an expert in that area here is the exact formula I’ve used to cure literally thousands of golfer’s slice problems from all around the world. And without any further delay, here are the 4 things you must do to fix your golf slice in the quickest possible time…

1. Setup for a draw

2. Swing from the inside so the ball starts to the right (for a right handed golfer) of your final target

3. Contact the ball with a slightly closed clubface

4. Have equipment that encourages you to draw the ball

Now that list of 4 things is generally the opposite of what every golfer does to hit a slice. For example, when a right handed golfer suffers from a slicing problem they generally aim to the left to allow for a slice — which just makes it worse, doesn’t it?

Now the absolute quickest possible way to fix your slice is to do the exact opposite of what you’re currently doing. So that means you have to setup for a hook. Then you need to try and swing a lot from the inside and release your hands a lot through impact so you contact the ball with a slightly closed clubface. And finally, you need equipment that helps you to hit a draw/hook.

If you did all of these things you could fix your slice tomorrow.

Seriously! It would happen that fast.

But here’s the problem — because it would feel so strange for you to do all of these things at the same time you would barely hit the golf ball….at least for a few days.

You see, golfers are adverse to change. It’s taken you a long time to build up the habit of slicing and if you go slowly at trying to fix it then it will take a long time to fix it…if you ever do it at all.

Now I assume you want to fix your slice sooner rather than later. So trust me, the absolute fastest way to fix your slice is to forget about results for a few days (even up to a couple of weeks) and exaggerate the exact opposite of what you do to hit a slice. And if you’re like most of my students who do this, after a few days you’ll be hitting the ball straight!

Yes….straight!

If you exaggerate the opposite of what you do to hit a slice you’ll eventually hit the ball straight — not hook it. I know that sounds weird but that’s just how the golf swing works. Because what you think you’re doing as you’re swinging and what you’re really doing are normally two completely different things.

Now when you’re making changes to your golf swing to fix your slice you’ve got to work on one thing at a time. And the best place to start is with the setup. You need to setup the opposite of what you’re currently doing. So have a strong grip, align yourself to the right of the target, position the ball back in your stance etc., etc.

This will be tough to do but if you REALLY want to fix your slice you’ll do it.

Once you’ve done that you then want to exaggerate swinging from the inside. Then you’ve got to work on releasing your hands through impact so you contact the ball with a slightly closed clubface. Finally, if your equipment is promoting a slice rather than a draw then you must get equipment that encourages you to hit a draw/hook.

So that’s the proven formula you need to follow to fix your slice. And remember, to get the fastest results you must exaggerate the opposite of what you’re currently doing to hit your slice. To make a start I recommend you change your grip to make it stronger, because I know of golfers that have just done that and fixed their golf slice. So start with making changes to your setup and then progress through the rest of this proven formula after that.

Nick Bayley is a professional golfer who has discovered just one golf swing fault that could be stopping YOU from ball striking consistency and success. But luckily for you, now you can take a simple 2 minute golf swing test to see if you have this swing fault or not. So don’t delay! Go here to take The Golf Swing Test™ now:  http://www.yourgolfswingtest.com/

Starting Young to Become A Senior Golf Pro

To become a senior golf pro, you need to start early. If you have a good start when you are younger, you have a better chance of making it to the pros. You need dedication, focus, concentration and physical ability to become a senior golf pro. You can practice on the driving range and take a lesson to better your game. As you grow and continue playing, you learn more about your own abilities. As you gain more experience you can adjust your swing and equipment to give you more distance.

Senior golf is just as relaxing if you play the game right. As you learn over the years what your game is like, you can shift your concentration to the fairway and the greens. You can work your way into some mini tours that will give you even more experience before you make your way to the PGA. If this is your goal, you want to be your best and shoot the game like a pro. Keep up with your game and you can play with the pros someday. The best way to keep your game going forward is to practice weekly.

Once you know that golf is for you, before reaching your senior golf years, you want to maintain a healthy and fit you. Stretching and some type of physical fitness is necessary to stay fit and keep the body limber and flexible to play the game. If you start noticing you are feeling aches and pains, you might need to adjust your physical routine a little. As men and women reach their senior years, the body does experience changes. If these changes affect your game, you can adjust the way you golf or change your equipment to better the game. By changing equipment, you will give yourself more of an advantage with your swing.

The senior golf pro does from time to time have to adjust their swing and by doing this, you might need to invest in a new set of clubs that have more flex in the shaft. This will help you get more distance and cause you less stress on the body. The seniors that golf are always changing their clubs to keep with their changing bodies. You can take the time to try new golf clubs and if you use a range finder, you can actually judge which club gives you the greater distance.

When playing senior golf keep in mind some important tips from the pros. Relax, concentrate, and always focus on your game. Use the right equipment that will give you the edge on your opponent and stay on par or under. If you go over par on one hole, make it up with the next hole. If you keep these simple tips in mind, you can succeed in having a great game of senior golf. After all, this is what you need and want from a good game of golf, something to talk about with your golfing friends and family.

Senior Golf Strategies That Work

As a senior golf player, you want to keep up with the younger players and keep your handicaps right where they are or better. To do this you need to have a few tips on the strategies that other senior golfers use. The first one is the club. The club is important for distance as well as how the ball sails down the fairway. If you have the right club with the proper amount of flex, you are going to keep with your game. If you do not make adjustments, as you get older, you may see your game and handicap slip away.

The next strategy that senior golf players need to consider is the stance. If you are a little older, the way you present yourself to the ball will have a big impact on the game. You are going to stand differently as well as move differently when you swing. You should always keep this in mind when you are trying new clubs. If you have back problems, you will probably stand and move your body differently, which will great affect the distance you get with the ball as well as how you use the golf club.

The most important thing to remember about strategies is the course you are playing. Not all golf courses are created equally. Many courses are going to require you to adjust your swing and distance. Some of the best golf courses are the ones that require some degree of thinking and planning your drive. If you are playing against a wind, or on a drizzly day, you are going to have problems no matter how good you are in the game. Plying against the wind might require a different flex shaft because the wind is going to push the ball backwards.

The entire game is going to depend on how you tee off. As you age, you will have to change the way you position yourself over the ball. You may need to continually change this as the years go by. You can play golf for years after reaching fifty, you just have to realize when you need a change in your stance and positioning. Your distance not only comes from the club, but also from your presentation to the ball. Hit the draw is a term many golfers use to describe how you stand over the ball and how you will hit that ball

The best strategy is the tactical and practical strategies rather the mechanics. This is the thinking of many of the senior golf pros including Jim Hartley, who wrote a book about just that way of thinking. Golfers also have to have the mental image of the course in their minds in order to play more efficiently and know how many hits they need to make the putt easier and closer. Keeping all this mind should allow you to play the game and keep your handicap the same or better as you enter into your senior golf years.

Senior Golf Championships Recognized

There are now five major senior golf championships played including the Senior PGA, U.S. Senior Open, Senior British Open, The Tradition and the Senior Players Championship. The oldest of the five being the PGA Senior Championship, which started in 1937 followed by the U.S Senior Open, The Tradition and the Senior players in the 1980’s. The Senior British received recognition in 2003. Senior golf amateurs and pros from all over the world compete in these events to see who will come out on top, win the championship, and take home the winnings.

The women or the LPGA recognizes four annual championships, which are Kraft Nabisco, McDonald’s U.S. LPGA presented by Coco-Cola, U.S. Women’s Open and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. In 1969, the first player from outside the United States was introduced to the tour card. Her name was Vivien Saunders from the United Kingdom. Today, there are currently participants from twenty-six different countries playing the LPGA. The Women’s Senior Golf Tour was established in 2003, which then became known as the Legends Tour. Women who are forty-five years or older play the LPGA Legend Tour. This well-publicized event draws attention from the media everywhere.

Senior golf is not just for men, many women compete professionally just as well as the men do. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, golf does not have a gender set as to who can golf and who cannot. Many women have come to prove that they can complete and ensure the even the toughest golf courses just like the men. Some of the top leaders in the LPGA have won some pretty impressive purses and have gone on to become professional senior golf players who also offer lessons to beginners and those wanting to improve their game. In 2006, Lorena Ochoa from Canada won the player of the year and Vare trophy while Seon Hwa Lee of Korea won the Rookie of the Year.

Before 1994, the majority of the trophy winners were from the United States. From 1994 until today, the majority of winners are from other countries this goes for the leading money winners as well. Although at the end of the 2006 season, the third place career money winner was Juli Inkster with Karrie Webb from Australia in second and Annika Sorenstam of Sweden in first place. Women senior golf is not as large as the men’s senior golf, but it is fast becoming something more women are taking an interest in today and becoming successful.

Because many more women are taking an interest in senior golf and golf in general, you may see more women tournaments then the scheduled ones they have to date. The LPGA and the PGA are both highly published events that are watched by millions either on television or in person when the events are being played. The women senior golf pros bring in just as much revenue during the tours and can keep the audiences attention just as well as the men’s tour do.

Popular Senior Golf Equipment

If you happen to be a senior golf player then you might enjoy a few toys that just help enhance the game a little more. Austads.com – “Name Brand Golf for Less”,has some great gifts and accessories to give that special golf or just buy the things yourself. The first thing on your list might be the Sky Golf SG5 GPS SkyCaddieThis is a handy gadget that will tell you were the bunkers are located and some other areas of the course to avoid. This handy rangefinder is something that will have you playing like a pro in no time. It is approved by the USGA and the R&A.

Senior golf enthusiasts will want a Speed cart to make things easier on those walk only golf courses. Since you cannot have a golf cart, the motorized Speed Cart starts up and away it goes. You can set it to go by itself for up to sixty yards without you behind it to control the buttons. You can sue it as a manual cart or as a self-powered cart that will make your day even more enjoyable. Save your energy for the golf swing, let the Speed Cart do all the heavy work. You will never need a caddie again.

If you have a few problems finding the golf ball, you might like the Ball Finder Scout. It can help you find them hard to balls that seem to disappear out of sight when you least expect it to. Never worry about losing sight of another ball. If you happen to hit the ball in water or into a wooded area, the little gadget might not work, but if the ball is even one to two percent visible, it should find the golf ball. For a senior golf player this might come in handy.

Another little compact gadget for the senior golf player is the Zelocity Pure Contact Launch and Flight Monitor. How it works is amazing, how to use it is easy. This is something that can help you improve your swing for distance and tells you how you hit with the club you are using. This is nice for making over that bunker coming around. If you know how many yards you get with that one club, you can accurately choose the right club for that specific shot. This works great for conditioning yourself and teaches you how your swing is decreasing or improving as well.

As a senior golf player, you might also want some little gadgets that have your name on them, such as golf tees, spot markers, golf balls and a hand towel with your name or initial. There are so many different accessories that can help enhance your game and some that just make you feel good about yourself. It is every golfers desire to hit the ball and play like a pro and with some help you can accomplish everything you want to as a senior golf player. Golfing is fun and some minor accessories only enhance the game you might say.

Brand Name Golf Equipment for Less at Austad's

Take this golf swing test…

In my travels across the Internet I came across a website that has a unique golf swing test. This golf swing test was created to see if us golfers have a single swing fault that is stopping us from hitting the ball further, straighter and more consistently.

Apparently if you have this one swing fault it could be costing us up to 50 yards in distance.

Ouch!

You could have ONE swing fault that is stopping you from ball striking consistency and success.

Luckily for you, now you can take a simple 2 minute test to see if you have this swing fault or not.

If you don’t have this swing fault, that’s great. But if you do have this swing fault you’ll want to know about it because it WILL be costing you….

* Distance (could be up to 50 yards)
* Accuracy, and
* Consistency

So to find out whether you have this swing fault or not go here and take this simple 2 minute golf swing test:

www.yourgolfswingtest.com It will take you less than 2 minutes to take this test and it may just be the most valuable 2 minutes you’ll ever spend….as far as your golf swing is concerned. So go and take this test right now.

If you suffer from an over the top problem or your divots point left of the target then you need to go and take this test now!

www.yourgolfswingtest.com

A Few Keys to Efficient Golf Practice

Whether it’s in baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis or any other sports that involves a ball, there is a feeling of immense satisfaction and pride that comes from hitting the ball solidly. Nowhere does this apply more than in golf, where the small ball goes where it wants on anything but a solid shot.

If you want to hit the ball solidly on a consistent basis, the only way is through practice and more practice.

Though you may not think so, the best time to practice is right after a round. Everything that didn’t work for you during the round is fresh in your mind, and your body and mind are ready to go. Failure to work consistently on the shots that regularly give you the most trouble means your game won’t soon improve.

The key to maximizing your efficiency in practice is creating ‘real’ situations. Ideally, you would mirror what happened in your round and employ your best swings. Also work on hitting balls from every bad lie you can think of. Obviously, it’s extra important to practice if you haven’t played for a while.

Boost your game further by visualizing a round of golf during lunch or breaks, on your way to or home from work, etc. Imagine taking many good swings and hitting a great shot each time. See your entire body flowing in unison through each shot, completely tension-free. This isn’t useless preparation. You are increasing your muscle memory and preparing them for the next round.

If you enjoy other sports, you can transfer movements in these sports to help your golf game. For instance, the way you shift your weight on a tennis backhand shot is very similar to the bodyweight transfer on a golf shot. Use the tennis experience to remember what you need to do on the links. For detailed steps on how to swing properly we suggest you pick up a copy of the Senior Golfers Guide – it’s a 210 page ebook dedicated to Senior Golfers; full of great advice, tips and lessons in golf.

When you’re hitting a lot of balls in one session, remember to take a break between swings. You will avoid mental and physical exhaustion and can use the time to process what you’ve learned or accomplished. Remember, you’re not out there to hit a thousand shots, rather a few beautiful ones. Hitting 20-30 balls at a time is sufficient practice, especially if the majority of these are struck on the sweet spot of the clubface.

To hit a more accurate shot and promote better contact, pull out your favorite iron and try this exercise: take two tees and stick them in the ground a couple of inches apart. (You can also use two balls.) Try (air)swinging your iron through the tees without hitting them. Start with partial swings and work your way up to full swings as you get better at avoiding the tees. Soon you will be hitting the ball more solidly.

It may sound corny, but don’t forget the feeling of a good shot. Memorize it and internalize it, then practice it and you will soon be able to produce it consistently. It’s very easy to lose the feeling of a great shot because there are so many variables that went into hit, from hand position, proper grip and good pre-swing body alignment to the right ball position, clubface impact and follow-through.

Source: The above information is just a small morsel taken from the Senior Golfers Guide. This 200+ page ebook is full of golf tips and advice like the above, and for just $29.50 we think this every Senior Golfer should have it.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Golf Balls

Size of the ball
The “Rules of Golf” says that a golf ball’s diameter must be a minimum of 1.680 inches / 42.67 mm. A smaller ball would fly much further than a larger ball. The reason for this is simple: with a smaller diameter the ball has less air resistance, or in other words, it displaces less air as it flies. Because of this, most manufacturers produce golf balls with the minimal diameter (1.680 inches / 42.67 mm). The rules also state that the ball must be round, but I guess you knew that…

Weight of the ball
A golf ball’s weight must not exceed 1.620 oz./ 45.93 g according to the “Rules of Golf”. The heavier the ball, the greater its momentum, and the less it would be slowed down by air resistance. Hence it would tend to fly further. For this reason most manufacturers produce golf balls with the heaviest sanctioned weight of 1.620 oz./ 45.93 g.

Compression Rates
In the manufacturing process, some two-piece, and all three-piece balls are rated by their compression measurements. This is done by pressuring them with a standard weight

Balls that don’t deform at all are rated Compression 200, while balls that deform by 0.2″ or above are rated Compression 0. These are the two extremes, and between them balls are rated in intervals of 0.001 inches. The Standard Compression rate is usually 90 or 100. the higher the compression rate the harder the feel, and vice versa. Almost every ball is subject to a compression rating. Compression rates of 80 and 100 are also found. However, manufacturers are not bound by an official standard. Hence one manufacturer’s compression rate of 100 can be different to another manufacturer’s compression rate of 100. This can mount up to a 3.5 point difference in either direction. In addition, some balls don’t even have the compression rate printed on them. According to a host of surveys, low speed swing players are better off using balls with a Compression rate of 80. Players with an average speed swing should choose Compression 100, and Compression 110 is best for high swing speed players. The weather should always be taken into consideration when deciding on compression rates to use. Low compression balls are best for colder weather, while high compression balls perform better in hot weather.Tips for choosing the right balls for you:

Considerations for Driving
Distance balls are designed to fly further and with more accuracy. This means you will be less likely to land in the rough, in a hazard, or out of bounds. Distance balls have their drawbacks, however, as they will be harder to stop on the green. Mid to high handicappers should favor a distance ball. If you would like more detailed advice we recommend getting the Senior Golfers Guide, a great resource for older Golfers. On 210 pages it covers every aspect of golf from a senior’s perspective, and for just $29.50 we think this is money well spent.

Optimum Performance in Your Approach
Spin balls are made with outer layers that take on more spin when you strike them with angled club faces. Drawing or fading around obstacles and hazards therefore becomes easier, as they will bend more to the left or right. They also take on more backspin when struck with a lofted club – this is important, as the balls will therefore stop more quickly on the green.

Whilst spin balls used to be made with fragile outer layers that were prone to damage, this problem has now been largely averted with the introduction of solid multilayer construction, replacing the old flimsy balata covers.Getting More Control
Distance balls designed to stop quickly when on the green, but with minimum risk of slicing or hooking are known as control balls. The Nike One and Titleist Pro V1 are members of the new generation of balls that are so versatile they will perform in any situation.

Balls for Slow Swingers
Known variously as Ladies or Senior balls, these balls increase driving distance to improve the scores of players with slower, less powerful swings.

Choosing the Right Putting Ball
Differently designed balls will roll for different distances on the green. As a rule of thumb, harder balls role further. The difference is more than you would think. Teaching professionals recommend that you putt with the same kind of ball all the time, as this will help you to calibrate, feel, learn and reproduce the connection between stroke strength and distance. As most balls aren’t perfectly balanced, they won’t roll absolutely true, but higher quality balls will be generally more likely to stay on course, due to higher standards of quality control during manufacture.

Affordability
Try to always play with the same balls that you practice with. So if you can’t afford to practice with a high quality ball, don’t switch when playing competitions. A ball that has been overused will no longer be spherical, and so is no good to you. Play balls that you can afford to replace regularly.

Source: The above information is just a small morsel taken from the Senior Golfers Guide. This 210 page ebook is full of golf tips and advice like the above, and for just $29.50 we think every Senior Golfer should have it.
Senior Golfers Guide

Before You Buy Golf Clubs

Buying your first set of golf clubs can seem daunting with all the choices out there. To take away some of the confusion I have listed some things to keep in mind before you go out to get your first set of golf clubs.

Be Clear About Your Golf Goals
If you identify realistic goals before you set out to buy, it will make the process of buying clubs much easier. If you’re deeply committed to golf and plan to play every day, then obviously you’ll want to spend more time, money and effort on a set of clubs than if you only intend to play twice a year with your brother-in-law.

Assessing Your Levels of Dedication and Interest
By honestly assessing your dedication to golf, you can more easily determine how much to spend, and on what quality of clubs. How much will you be practicing? Will you be willing to take lessons? If you aren’t willing to go that far, then you’re probably better off going with a cheaper pair of clubs. If you plan to practice regularly, and take lessons, then you may want something more expensive.

New or Used Clubs?
Used clubs are probably a good choice if you aren’t sure about your commitment or have a history of taking up hobbies and losing interest in them after a short time. Because they’ll be cheaper than new clubs, they can be replaced more easily later.

Budgeting
A set of clubs can be extremely expensive. If you have enough money and you’re willing to spend on top-quality equipment, then by all means do so. However, for most people the amount of money spent will correlate to how dedicated they are. A good idea for if you’re just setting out, though, is to look for an inexpensive first set – that way, you won’t have wasted as much money if you don’t continue playing.

Shaft Options – The Basics
The two differences in golf shafts that beginners should keep in mind are shaft composition (graphite or steel) and shaft flex (the amount of bend in the shaft during your swing). Steel is sturdier and cheaper, but graphite is lighter, so it will generate more swing speed. Women and older players will benefit most from graphite shafts that have a softer flex. Stronger, younger men may go with regular or stiffer shafts, but remember that many teaching say too many golfers use shafts with too much stiffness. If you’d like to get more details about proper shaft selection consider getting the Senior Golfers Guide, a 210 page ebook created especially for the Senior Golfer.

Getting a Clubfitting
If you’re getting a new set of clubs, a clubfitting is an option. A clubfitting, lasting about half an hour, is an option offered by many teaching pros. If you don’t want that, at least getting a measurement in a pro shop will ensure that the clubs you choose are well-suited to your body. If you are a 5-foot-10 male, then the standard clubs straight off the rack will fit you. However, if that description doesn’t fit you very well, you might want to get fitted.

Easier Golf with the Right Clubs
Of course, nothing will take the place of a good swing, but as a novice golfer you can make it easier on yourself by choosing clubs that are designed specifically for higher-handicappers – known as “game improvement clubs”. You should choose irons that are cavity-backed and perimeter-weighted. Investigate “hybrid” sets, in which utility clubs replace the long irons – that is, the 3-, 4- and occasionally 5-irons. Go for more loft (i.e. 12 degrees), not less, when choosing a driver. Don’t pay attention to what kind of clubs the Tour players use.

Ask Questions, Seek Advice
If you have friends who play, ask them for advice. Ask at a pro shop or golf pro for recommendations. Get some idea of what you’re really looking for. When you’ve done all this, and you’re ready to buy, remember to shop around. Range and price will always differ from one outlet to another, whether you’re shopping at pro shops, department stores, or garage sales. Just keep in mind your price range and only buy clubs within that range. If you would like more detailed advice we recommend getting the Senior Golfers Guide, a great resource for older golfers. It’s just $29.50, and we think this is money well spent.Senior Golfers Guide