August 2010

You are currently browsing the articles from Matt Levens written in the month of August 2010.

How Golf Fitness Can Help You Hit The Ball Further, Play Better Golf And Play Without Nagging Back Pain

From the time you are 27 years old, you begin losing flexibility. Additionally, many golfers have nagging back pain and can’t play golf as often as they would like. When you combine the flexibility loss with injury your game suffers dramatically. Loss of distance, loss of endurance, shots going astray and handicap jumping. Did you know your best solution isn’t a new driver or swing training aid but working on the machine that drives the club, your body! Golf Fitness is your answer.

The secret is out of the bag. More and more professional golfers and successful amateur golfers are turning to golf fitness as their number one choice to improve their golf game, their general conditioning and overall quality of life. In addition, a proper golf fitness routine can eliminate any existing pain you have in your back, shoulder, elbow or knee and help prevent any future injuries.

Many golfers have found that utilizing a scientifically designed golf fitness program specific to the activity of golf has dramatically improved their endurance, swing speed, distance and flexibility.

In order to achieve power and distance, you must be able to coil your body. Many golfers fail to coil properly due to a lack of flexibility. This is due to tight muscles or muscle imbalances that limit flexibility.

According to Tiger Woods:

“…very flexible players … can generate tremendous clubhead speed while swinging in balance. That’s also one of the keys to my power. I’m convinced that if you increase your flexibility, you’ll add power to your swing.”

One of the techniques used by golfers to develop flexibility is stretching. This is a great way to help flexibility but not the end all. Especially considering the golfer may be doing their stretches totally wrong or not even working the correct muscle groups.

Although golf is not the type of sport that requires bursts of speed like basketball or baseball, it does take a tremendous amount of force during a swing. Core training concentrates on your torso with emphasis on the abdomen, hips, and spine. This is the foundation for balance and control.

A round of golf also requires endurance. Do you have the same energy on the back nine as the front? Do you hit the ball as crisply? Are you making mental mistakes? These are sign you don’t have the endurance you should have to play a 4-6 hour round of golf. That is why it is important any golf fitness program you choose not only focus on developing the muscles for speed and power, but also your endurance muscles for a better game.

Are you laying out cold hard cash every year on the latest training aids or golf clubs? Has your game improved? Are you getting that extra “20 yards” every new golf club promises? Of course not! Get a clue. It’s your body that is the machine that drives the club. It’s your body that directs and controls your golf game. Shouldn’t that be what you are investing in? If you aren’t building core strength, flexibility and balance into your game, you will never have the results you are seeking to achieve.

More and more golf pros and high level amateurs are living testimonials of what a good golf fitness program can do for your game. By developing better flexibility, core strength, endurance and balance they are staying competitive longer and playing in more tournaments. You should explore doing the same. Find a golf fitness program that is progressive and cyclical, specific to the muscles you use in golf and concentrates on speed, power, endurance, balance and flexibility and you will enjoy the same types of results. Longer drives, finishing the round as strong as you started it, lower scores and playing pain free.

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Written by Arleen Cauchi on August 31st, 2010 with comments disabled.
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The Best Golf Courses Of Hawaii

When you are planning a vacation to Hawaii there are many things to consider regarding entertainment and activities. The islands have so many fabulous things to offer on a vacation that it can be difficult to choose. However, if you are an avid golfer and simply want to enjoy your vacation relaxing with a few (or, say, 101) good rounds of golf, then Hawaii can deliver the goods in all aspects of the game. The weather on the islands is always nice, so a golfer will have no trouble indulging in all of the courses from Maui to the Big Island. If you are even slightly curious about how great the game of golf can be in Hawaii, all you need to do is look to the PGA tour. The first two tournaments of their season are in Hawaii every year.

No matter what the budget, you can enjoy a golfing vacation that will leave you completely fulfilled. In addition to the luxury courses, there are plenty of resorts and public courses that focus on families trying to maintain their Hawaiian vacation budget. Although Hawaii is a relatively small state, it is blessed with more than its fair share of courses that you should take the time to play a game of golf on.

The Challenge at Manele is the gold course on Lanai that offers you high-quality golf play designed by Jack Nicklaus. It is out of the ordinary as it is set among lava outcrops and also overlooks from tops of steep cliffs near the Pacific Ocean. The second part of the Lanai course is often called “The Experience at Koele” as it twists and turns through the island’s tropical uplands and is one paradise of a golf course.

Kapalua – This course is located on the northwest coast of Maui and offers two very fabulous sets of holes to choose from, “The Bay Course” and “The Plantation Course.” The PGA Tour Mercedes Benz Championship is held on the Plantation Course every year and the Bay Course offers spectacular views while you play your rounds.

The Kiele Course at Kauai Lagoons will have you in awe with its breathtaking views and lush green course. This course was also created by Jack Nicklaus and is over 40 acres of freshwater lagoons and even a wedding chapel for those that are feeling in the mood for taking their vows on the island..

Ko’olau Golf Course is in a gorgeous part of eastern Oahu and is known for being one of the toughest challenges in the entire country. The course is set beneath the Ko’olau Ridge mountain range, which gives it a unique setting, to say the least, as it offers a challenge beyond belief even for the most experienced golfer.

Kauai has its world-class course, too, on the sun-drenched south shore. Poipu Bay Golf Course is known for its rarity and excitement and the nearby waters are also home to many native species that include sea turtles, geese, seals and even humpback whales.

Princeville Course is another great Kauai golfing spot, a beauty overlooking Hanalei Bay. It is home to a fabulous hotel and spa for after the game, as well as two different courses, “The Prince Golf Course” and the “Makai Golf Course” that both were designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The Prince Golf Course is the most challenging as it offers a rolling terrain, and Golf Digest named it the best course in the state.

If you are planning to stay at any of the resorts, villas or hotels that are located near golf courses there are many choices one each island, but Maui may have the lead. One of the best places might be the Hokulani Golf Villas, one of the newest luxury planned communities on Maui where you can stay and play. Also, there is Maui’s Wailea Golf Estates, a great spot that sits on 30 acres of sloped land. On any island, any of the clubs are ready to keep your game on point with all of the accessories and golfing equipment you could ask for, in pro shops that carry all the top name brands in gear and golf clubs. There are also lessons available at many of the clubs for beginners and those that simply need to brush up on their strokes, too.

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Written by Robert Nickel on August 31st, 2010 with comments disabled.
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Tips To Enhance Your Golf Swing

Success at playing the game of golf greatly depends on your golf skills and the most vital aspect is your swing of the golf club. The ability to execute a powerful and balanced golf swing is the key to mastering golf. Here are some proven power tips to improve your golf swing.

Power Tip 1

An efficient golf swing is a lot more than simply swinging utilizing your arms. Swing your golf club behind your back while you turn it to your target. It is like taking your club back as you hinge your arm at your shoulder. You could also practice the drill known as no arms.

Power Tip 2

You should not forget to cock your wrists. This might be difficult at first, but it will definitely become natural to you with enough practicing and will certainly produce some great results.

Power Tip 3

Your left arm has to turn clockwise just a little as soon as you commence the backswing. It is not really something that you actually should remember. It naturally happens if you would just allow it. This just means that you should not resist this movement that is just natural. You might not notice it, but you may have been resisting this motion since this causes the golf club head to go open a little once you swing it. Just let it take place naturally.

Power Tip 4

Always plant your feet firmly on the ground. This method is also normally utilized in the game of baseball. It involves letting your foot heel in front to come above the ground when you swing your golf club back. Some people think that by doing this so, their back swing feels bigger.

It is something that seems lifting the front heel can easily make the body coil and for the tension to build that much harder. Letting the foot roll freely to the inside is fine. However, an individual has to keep that foot on the floor to make golf backswing well anchored.

Power Tip 5

Work on your bottom golf down swing. Assuming that you accomplish all the drills correctly, from the golf stance, the golf grip you have, and your golf back swing. But you can still ruin everything if you begin the golf swing that you have with the shoulders. You probably desire to make use of a swing trigger in order to start the golf down swing that you have with the lower area of your body.

Power Tip 6 Another tip on your golf down swing. You have to turn the belt buckle to your target. Try turning your hips as powerful and fast as possible when you do your golf down swing, it works.

To learn how to better your swing fast and easy Click Here. If you wish to find out more about improving your swing so you can hit that perfect shot with consistency then you certainly need these expert Golf Swing Drills, which can certainly assist you.

Written by Josh Stewart on August 31st, 2010 with comments disabled.
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Some Methods To Enjoy Golf Way More

All of us loves golf, but some times it is equally as they say, a great walk spoiled. Here are a few solutions to appreciate golfing more:

1 Don’t play the blue tees.

Until you are at least a 10 handicap or lower, why bother making the course even harder than it must be. If you’re shooting in the 90′s or triple digits, it will not make any sense making a conscious decision to making the course tougher. Play the white tees and take the extra level of stress and anxiety out of the situation.

2 Enhance your lie

When you’re having a fun round of golf, there is no way you ought to be playing the rigid rules of golf. The normal round of golf can be no less than six hours at courses all over the world. Golfers can be returning to the tees all day after striking there first ball out bounds, or searching for every lost ball for 5 minutes. So if we are bending the rules in order to save time, why not bend them to improve your lie, a thing it is possible to benefit from. Play winter rules on a regular basis.

3. Play various games

As opposed to playing a similar match with your buddies, be competitive in other categories aside from score. A few examples can be:

Most fairways hit

Lowest quantity of 3 putts

Most 1 putts

4 If it’s your honor, take it.

You just birdie the toughest (or easiest) hole on the course, it’s your tee, you earned it, take it. Challenge yourself to acquire another, you will end up surprised how often you’ll be able to have two birdies consecutively if you are actually looking to get two birdies consecutively.

5 Lower your expectations.

Should you be a regular golfer you play golf two times per week if you are fortunate, added to that, you do not practice as much as you ought to.. You simply can’t seriously think that your game isn’t exactly what it should be. Just take pleasure in the game itself, avoid being so difficult on your self when you’re not playing very well. Even the pros have awful days.

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Written by Cory Distel on August 31st, 2010 with comments disabled.
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Golf Swing Lessons That Really Work

Have you ever wanted to know “How can I improve My Golf Swing?” Well there are a lot of tips that you will discover helpful for enhancing your golf swing. Mainly you have to develop your very own natural golf swing.

Any individual who really plays golf can always improve their play if they really want to. Even the pros constantly strive to strengthen their performance on the golf course. One area many golfers need improvement is in developing their natural swing.

Even though you might need to practice on your own or at the driving range. Drills will not take the place of going out and playing golf. They are essential for sharpening your skills. The swing drills will lower your handicap and make your score better for every round you play. The more time you spend doing these drills the better you will become. You will definitely enjoy watching your golf score continue to drop as you keep on practicing.

Realizing how to appropriately stand is a key function of your natural golf swing. There are several types of stance. There are the square, open, and closed stance. With the square version of the stance both of your feet need to be the same distance away from the line that the ball will travel. This is the invisible line from your ball to your target.

As a golfer you must develop your own natural golf swing. A successful swing is essential to help you drive the ball farther and straighter, and it has to be constantly worked on to enable you to have a consistently good swing.

To contact the ball properly your drivers head must be flat and level to the floor through your swing. The flatter you can keep it,the more momentous the drive will be. More importantly the swing needs to feel good. The Simple Golf Swing is a very common instructional program being used today because it focuses on developing your natural swing.

To learn how to better your swing fast and easy Click Here. If you wish to understand more about improving your swing so you can hit that great shot with consistency then you certainly need these expert Golf Swing Drills, which can certainly assist you.

Written by Josh Stewart on August 31st, 2010 with comments disabled.
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Golf Swing Workouts Can Add Power Quickly

Golf swing workouts are the missing connection to adding tremendous power to the golf swing rapidly. In order to execute an effective golf swing…golf swing exercises will increase your bodies capability to go through the entire necessary ranges of motion…permitting you to hit drives you already know you are capable of.

Another reason golf swing training is extremely important is incorporated in the idea that a golf swing by its’ very nature is a very unnatural and cumbersome movement of the human body and muscle groups. It as a result makes sense how the body will usually resist the golf swing action and this is why it appears to be so hard to master.

However when you implement golf swing workouts to strengthen and condition the relevant muscles, the golf swing becomes less cumbersome to the human body.

I want to now have a closer look at the movements associated with a golf swing in order that we construct the very best golf swing workouts that can impact most significantly on the caliber of your game.

The golf swing is really a turn back (rotate) and turn through (rotate). The majority of the movement is pure rotational in nature. This implies performing golf swing workouts like a sitting twist keeping a dumbbell directly out ahead of you is a very powerful workout in strengthening and conditioning the muscles used in the golf swing.

You should never use very heavy dumbbells with this golf swing workout. 3-5 pound dumbbells are excellent. Do not forget that a golf club isn’t heavy; the truth is it weighs in at less than a lb.

Repeating golf swing workouts like this as often as you can within a 30-minute session without stressing your self. Do remember to limber up before starting the session and also to warm down when you’re through.

Warming up guarantees that you don’t start with your muscles cold. Stretches involving the muscles that you are going to use will also be really useful before going into these golf swing workouts.

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Written by Cory Distel on August 31st, 2010 with comments disabled.
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Several Ways To Make Improvements To Your Golf

It truly is when you begin to play golf that you just learn quickest. Should you have undesirable golfing habits right now, you most likely learned these when you initially took up the game of golf. But the good thing is that anyone can break bad habits and learn good ones. Here are some guidelines to help you on your way to enjoying far better golf.

1. Your aim is very important. If you can’t send the ball in the proper path you will never get it in any of the holes. The clubface is the only thing that propels the golf ball, so line up the clubface with the target first, after that take your position with your shoulder blades parallel to the target line.

2. Continually aim faraway from probable problems. Tee the ball on the side where the issue is. This helps to keep the ball in play and steer clear of penalties.

3. Poor wrist action means a bad shot in 90 % of situations. Keep the left wrist flat in relation to the back of the left forearm and the back of the left hand, and don’t swing the club back farther than shoulder turn.

4. Read the green appropriately. A golf ball will often roll away from a incline and in direction of a water source. So, take this into account and alter as necessary.

5. The grain of the green is essential as well mainly because it effects the roll. Shiny grass shows the grain running away from you, and dull grass highlights the grain running towards you. Putts with the grain go more quickly and further. Those against the grain go slower and less far.

6. Shoulders should follow the swing. They must be unaggressive and not lead. Keep in mind that your shoulder motion will determine the path that the golf club, and then the ball, will travel.

7. Position the golf ball in the grass and take your position so the shadow of the head covers the ball. Make your golf swing keeping the eyes on the shadow. When the shadow moves off the ball you’ve lost the correct swing center. Should you keep the shadow on the ball, even though it moves a little, you’ve maintained the correct swing position.

Check out more How To Articles by this author. Other featured articles include Skin Changes During Menopause.

Written by Cory Distel on August 31st, 2010 with comments disabled.
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Balmoral Park: Which Horse Must You Bet On?

Famous for its harness racing, Balmoral Park can be found in Crete, Illinois. Each year, thousands of people go to Balmoral Park to enjoy viewing harness racing. In fact, some people take their families with them.

Aside from simply watching the races, some people also love to place their bets. While viewing the race, some people place bets either as a hobby or as another income source. Indeed, some people are able to turn this horse race betting into another profitable income source. But before you dabble in horse race betting, you must take note of the following important reminders.

First of all, you surely must know something with regards to harness racing. Remember that there is a specific lingo used in harness racing and you must learn all about this. For instance, the term first-over is commonly used in harness racing and this means the first horse to steal the lead from the race leader by moving up on the outside. And the term home stretch is used to mean the straight length of the track nearest the spectators where you will find the finish line.

Many different terms are used in harness racing and you have to remember that the meanings of these terms may not always be the same as in layman’s terms. Therefore, knowing the meanings of these words will enable you to better understand what is really happening in the race.

First, you have to do your homework if you want to place a bet and would surely want to win. On the other hand, there are some people who only rely on their intuition when placing bets. I know someone who relies on drawing lots from a hat in deciding which horse to bet on. And he has experienced some wins by doing just that. You can definitely copy this approach or you can also be serious in picking the horse that you will be betting on.

One way to identify the horse to bet on is through handicapping which means becoming familiar with the racing program. If you are new with harness racing and betting, you may find handicapping hard at first. But you will definitely get the hang of it once you understand how to read the racing program.

In the racing program, you will find pertinent information with regards to a horse’s past performance. This information includes where the horses raced, their times, their jockeys, and how they finished. You may get confused with the numbers and symbols in the racing program so you must definitely read the page regarding how the program is read. Once you understand the racing program, you can now analyze the information to know which horse is most likely to win so that you could place your bet.

Another way to choose which horse to bet on is by identifying the favorites. A favorite is the horse on which the spectators bets the most money on. Remember that one in three races is actually won by the favorites. You can definitely follow this approach aside from analyzing the information on the racing program. Just always remember to have fun whenever you go to Balmoral Park.

Are you heading to Balmoral Park to view harness racing? If you plan to place bets as well, read this article on how you could pick the winner.

Written by Vivian . Tokunaga on August 31st, 2010 with comments disabled.
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Fantasy Sports And Golf Escapades

Fantasy sports allow everyday people to live out the life of a sports manager or talent scout. Fantasy players have played for years, but once fantasy sports were available on the internet their popularity soared.

While fantasy football and baseball still lead in popularity, fantasy golf is being played more and more each year. Almost all of the large fantasy sport sites run fantasy golf leagues. The entry fees are set at different prices. There are some games you can play for free. Other games charge a set fee to play or a fee each time you make a transaction. Typically, the larger the entry fee, the more experienced the players are.

The rules vary depending on which league you decide to enter but typically you will form teams of pro golfers each week. Your score depends on how well your players do. Fantasy league typically run the entire golf season ending with the Tour Championship. However, some leagues will start games midseason where only the rankings from that point on will count for your score totals.

In addition to the fun of playing, most fantasy games offer cash prizes to those who have done the best at the conclusion of the season. A league might also offer weekly prizes to the top performer of that week.

Golf fantasy teams are scored many ways. In most fantasy golf leagues, the top points are given to the golfer who finishes with the lowest score in each round. Additional points are given to golfers who finish in the top ten or are a certain number of strokes behind the winner.

If an individual is interested in playing fantasy golf, most fantasy league websites have in-depth analysis of each pro golfer. Experts in the field of golf will often weigh in on who they think has the best chance of winning. There is historical data to see how a golfer performs at a particular golf course. In-depth analysis and biographies of each player are also available. Information is constantly being updated for golf finatics. Even for someone who does not want to play in a league themselves, a fantasy site is a great place to get the latest information about golf.

Many people believe that fantasy leagues are good for the game of golf. People who play fantasy sports are likely to become more invested in watching broadcasts, attending tournaments, and purchasing items to assist them with their teams. Fantasy golf gives golf fans a way to be involved with professional golf, even if their scorecard reaches triple digits.

You can find more Fantasy Sports Articles at Articoolz.com

Written by Alfred Lancer on August 31st, 2010 with comments disabled.
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A Close Look At The USC Trojans Football Team

The representative of the University of Southern California to the Pacific-10 Conference is the USC Trojans. They are members of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Ever since the NCAA was created, this team has figured prominently in the highlights of the NCAA’s history. So far, the team has had 11 national championships to its name.

The team was created in 1888. They were first known by the name ‘Methodists’ or ‘Wesleyans’ during different times in their early career. The first game they played was a win of 16-0 over the Alliance Athletic club in the same locality. Their first collegiate game was played on the next year against St. Vincent’s College. They prevailed with a score of 4-0

At the start, they were limited to playing in games within Southern California. It was against Stanford University that their first outside game was held. This was on Nov. 4, 1905. Stanford won that match 16-0 and that was the beginning of one of the sports rivalries which USC has kept alive throughout its career. The name ‘Trojans’ was given to the team in 1912. It referred to the fact that the team was the underdog in those years. They were little prepared and had inferior equipment and training than the other teams.

In the years spanning 1920 to 1930, the team saw great improvement. Their coach then was Gus Henderson. With his guidance, the team began attracting the attention of enthusiasts nationwide. Howard Jones replaced Henderson in 1925 and he stayed with the team until 1940. At this time, the team garnered four national championships. They came to be called the ‘Thundering Horde.’

After the term of Jones was over the team maintained its position but its performance was unimproved. However, in that period they gained three Rose Bowl trophies. The first two were won under coach Jeff Cravath in 1943 and 1945 while the last one was in 1953 under coach Jess Hill.

While John Mckay was coach the team made very good progress in their play. Two of the team members were awarded Heisman trophies between 1960 and 1975. When McKay left the team for the NFL, the Trojans managed two more Heisman Trophies as well as one national championship in 1978.

Between 1980 and 1990 the Trojans experienced another lull in their career. They did not win any new national championship and performed poorly against their old opponents. The situation was not to be tolerated by USC fans. In 2001, the then coach Hackett was replaced by Pete Caroll. During his term, Caroll saw the team winning two BCS championships, the national championships of 2003 and 2004. The team also won the Pacific-10 Conference from 2003 to 2008.

The team has so far had six major issues with the NCAA. The latest case has resulted in a four-year probationary period for the team. In that time, the movements of the team will be closely watched. They are further prohibited from participating in Rose Bowl events. This last probationary period is for 2010.

The Jewelled Shillelagh is the rivalry trophy that the USC Hurricanes competes for yearly with Notre Dame. It is the most famous of all the rivalry trophies that the team contends for. Notre Dame leads 42-34.

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Written by Freddie Brister on August 30th, 2010 with comments disabled.
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