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My wife and I spent the week in Arizona. We had never been to Arizona before and let me say, I will be back. We played 3 other courses in the Scottsdale area that were all very nice but there is something about Copper Canyon that I simply loved. The fairways were perfect, the greens were perfect and the course was a pleasure to play.

Unfortunately they do not have GPS on the carts like most other courses of similar greens fees. Also, the course and the area of town it is in is brand new. Given a few years to grow this place will be amazing.

My biggest suggestion to anyone interested in playing there is this: DON'T TRY TO GET DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM MAPQUEST OR GOOGLE MAPS. They are not on there. The directions I got from google led me into a neighborhood in Phoenix. Then I got directions from my ATT cellular service which led me to the correct town but the wrong side of the HUGE mountain in the middle of the town. Then I called the course and got the correct directions.

They are off Bell Rd, 12 miles from RT 303. If you have a map and can find that location, you'll find the place. After 2 1/2hrs of driving all over Arizona, I found it too. Hahaha tee time to ensure the best chance of completing 36 holes.

Book at discount tee time at Copper Canyon Golf Club

As published on:
http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/exitpoll/copper-canyon-golf-club-review-2065.html

Labels: Course Reviews

Summary:
NORTH COURSE
An outstanding low-profile design that blends naturally and effortlessly into its environs, the North course is an absolute joy to play. Wide fairways, intelligent bunkering, and subtle greens combine to create strategic decisions on every hole. Rough is virtually nonexistent as an expansive fairway cut surrounds each green to give players the freedom to choose from multiple recovery options. The bunkers are simply works of art – from ragged-edged greenside pits to fairway scrapes that fade seamlessly into the desert scrub. Conditions were perfect, from velvety smooth greens to the gorgeous overseeded fairways. It is an easy walk with minimal distance between holes. Morning pace was refreshingly brisk, completing play in 3:45.

SOUTH COURSE
A more traditional layout than the North course, the South course may look more comforting to northern visitors, with grassy areas and mature deciduous trees framing most holes instead of desert scrub. The greens are generally built up higher, therefore the greenside bunkers tend to be deeper with higher sand faces. The bunkers have a more manicured style than on the North course, and a short cut of rough surrounds most greens. Water hazards are employed on three holes, whereas the North is completely dry. The strategic challenges are less subtle than on the North, which may make it easier for the one-time visitor to appreciate. Afternoon pace was reasonable, around 4:15. Both courses provide a memorable round; choosing a favorite 18 probably comes down to personal preference for aesthetics and style.

Customer Service:
Troon Golf service is unsurpassed: as walkers, they shuttled us to #2 tee to shotgun start after a frost delay, were waiting at #18 to shuttle us over to #1 to complete the round, then waited behind #1 green to return us to the clubhouse. They were very flexible with my desire to play 36 holes, even informing me during my morning round of a slight adjustment for my afternoon.

Book a discount tee time at Talking Stick Golf Club

As published on:
http://courses.golfreview.com/cat/mountain/arizona/golf-course/PRD_72324_3835crx.aspx

Labels: Course Reviews

Here's what one golfer had to say about the Charonneau Golf Course:

Beautifully cared-for executive course, amidst an adult residential development. Short, but challenging. Three distinctly seperate nine hole courses. Immaculate from tee to green. Large sloping greens produce a true breaking ball, adding to the test. Numerous green side bunkers and water hazards lend to the fun and challenge.

Customer Service:
Good. Never had any difficulty in this regard.
4/5 Stars

Book a tee time at the Charbonneau Golf Course

As posted on:
http://courses.golfreview.com/cat/pacific/oregon/golf-course/PRD_67243_3838crx.aspx

Labels: Course Reviews

To hit the long ball you have to shift your weight properly. Improper weight shift is the major cause of lack of distance. Assume a narrow stance using a mid-iron. Take several practice swings. Begin your backswing by lifting your left foot slightly off the ground.

As you initiate your downswing replace your left foot and then lift your right foot as you follow-through. Trouble with this drill may indicate a weight transfer problem. You will know immediately if you are not shifting your weight back and then forward properly.
Purpose

1. To detect an incorrect weight shift. If you are struggling through a round hitting fat shots (hitting under the ball) and/or topped shots (hitting near the top of the ball) your problem may be an incorrect weight shift. It's an easy habit to get into and just as easy to break - if you recognize the symptoms right away. This drill provides you with a simple "on course" detection method. If you have trouble doing this drill you have found your problem. Concentration and correct repetition of this drill will solve your weight shift problems.
2. To improve your footwork and gain distance. Proper weight shift is necessary to hit the long ball. Learning a proper weight shift will add 10 yards or more to your shots. This drill will also help you stay balanced and light on your feet throughout the swing. If your weight is back on you heels, this drill will help you get your weight more centered.
3. To build tempo. Tempo means a backswing and downswing with the same smooth rhythm. It should be a balanced one - two type of action. This drill and the Weight Shift See-Saw drill help to slow down people who have gotten into the bad habit of a fast backswing.

Dos and Don'ts
Remember this drill can be used as an "on course" diagnosis of weight shifting problems.
As pubished on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Golf_Weight_Shift_Two_Step.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Keeping your feet together practice hitting balls with the ball teed up. Your feet should be touching or within 2 or 3 inches of each other.

Swing slowly at first. Concentrate on making solid contact with the ball. Always think tempo and rhythm. Once you can hit consistently good shots, work on hitting the ball off the grass.

You may be surprised how far you can hit the ball with your feet together as you groove your swing. This drill helps you in many ways. It's a good drill to do every practice session as a warm-up.

Purpose

1. To promote good balance and rhythm. This is one of the most popular practice drills, because it is an easy drill to do and yet it does so much for you. Use it as a warm-up or to stay loose on the course during those long waits on the tee.
2. To improve timing, reduce swaying, and promote good swing mechanics. This drill encourages you to swing within your capabilities. It reduces swaying because of the narrow balance point. If you sway or swing too hard you will almost fall over.
3. To provide a quick check of good swing mechanics. This drill can actually prevent many bad faults from creeping into your swing. On a bad day some players actually use this drill as an emergency fix during a round. They actually move their feet closer together to prevent extraneous body movements that may be causing errant shots, resulting in loss of confidence and wasted strokes.

Do.s and Don.ts
Do the "Feet Together Drill" whenever you start to lose confidence in your swing because of repeated missed shots, or ball flight problems.

As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Feet_Together_Drill.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

It's like throwing a frisbee with your left
arm.
Strive for a "one-piece" takeaway. Move shoulders with arms and
hands. Extend left arm.

Take club back low and slow.

Let your body start the backward movement of arms and club.

On backswing, coil with your shoulders first, then hips.

On takeaway, when club is halfway back, shaft should be lined
up with toes, and right arm should be a little higher than left arm.

At top of backswing, keep weight on inside of right foot.

Feel "lazy" at top of backswing to promote the right tempo.

On backswing, keep arms in front of your chest. Make
sure left arm stays with your chest on downswing. If
arms go slack on downswing, club will fall behind,
producing weak pushes or slices.

Drop arms into downswing by gravity alone.

On downswing, right elbow should lead right arm to
impact.

On downswing, pull rather than push the club along
the swing plane.

Start downswing by transferring weight to left foot and
by moving body toward target.

On downswing, chest leads arms to create pulling action. It's
like throwing a frisbee with your left arm. Forget the hips on
downswing. Level rotation of chest squares clubface without
conscious forearm rotation or wrist-flipping.

On downswing, try to keep shaft at 90 degree angle when arms
are waist-high.

On downswing, keep the hinge in your right hand as long as you
can.

Left side should start the downswing and right side does the
hitting.

On downswing, let right elbow fall to right side to keep ball
straight.

Make a shallow approach to the ball. For shallow, inside-out
swings, start downswing with body.

Proper sequence on downswing is shift weight, rotate hips,
release hands and arms.

Hands should be in front of ball at impact on all fairway shots.

Think about swinging only the handle of the club to get a
smoother swing motion.

Keep height level and left arm straight throughout swing.

Maintain flex in right knee throughout swing.

Keep arms and shoulders loose throughout swing. It generates
extension and speed.

To help square clubface, try to touch your left forearm with your
right forearm at impact.

Keep clubhead moving along target line.

Keep your elbows together throughout the swing.

Keep spine angle (the forward bend) constant throughout swing.

Divots should point toward target.

keep head and body behind ball throughout swing.

Hit with 80% of power.

When in doubt, use more club.

Point your chin at a spot just behind the ball throughout the
swing.

To get correct feel for swing, practice with right foot drawn back
and flared to the right.

Swing path controls the direction of ball flight. An open or closed
face controls fades or draws.

Accelerate through shot.

Make sure left shoulder and arm are in the same position at
impact as they are at address.

Keep body behind ball to prevent "skyed" shots.

Move the ball with the clubhead, not your body.

Drill to promote correct feel: Freeze midway into downswing and
make sure that handle of club points to target line, right arm is
pressed against side of chest and shoulders are lined up to
right of target.

Keep both feet flat on ground longer throughout swing for better
balance.

Control shot with speed at which you unwind your body, not with
hands and arms.
As published on:
http://www.tomsgolftips.com/fullswingshots.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Take your stance with feet shoulder width apart. Play the ball forward in your stance. Relax your arms and grip. Take the club back low and slow using shoulders and arms as a unit.

Make a full shoulder turn with hands set above right shoulder, back facing target, and eyes focused on the ball. The downswing should be triggered by your hips, legs, or planting the left heel.

Think of the hips as the center of the swing. Finish your swing with 95% of your weight on the outside of your left foot. (See also Tee Shots).
Purpose

1. To know when and how to use the driver off the tee. On a par 4 or par 5 the opening drive sets the tempo for the rest of the hole. It can make a hard hole easy or an easy hole very difficult. Don't try to kill the ball. Your goal is to place the ball in the proper location on the fairway for your next shot. You do not always have to hit your driver. Many times you can hit a shorter club and still reach the location you want to hit your next shot from. Learning the fundamentals of a good drive will give you the confidence you need to make solid contact, get good distance and keep the ball in the fairway.
2. To know the set up and dynamics of the driver off the tee. Because of its longer shaft the driver requires a more level, less descending swing. It is very important to take the club back low to the ground for the first foot and a half. The arms and shoulders go back as a unit, the wrists cock late in the backswing. Rotate your hips so the upper body does not get too far ahead of the lower. Initiate your downswing with a leg drive-weight shift, or by replanting the left heel. Sweep the ball off the tee on the same path as the takeaway.

Do's and Don'ts
Be sure to match the upper and lower body turn, and keep upper body behind ball at impact. Be careful as to how high or low you tee the ball. Experiment to find what is best for you. Be consistent.
As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/The_Driver.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

When hitting striped range balls, align the stripe down the target line. Concentrate on hitting the inside of the stripe as you swing through impact. This will encourage an inside to outside swingpath.

The inside to outside swingpath produces straighter and longer shots. For tee shots on the course, position the brand name on the ball down the target line. Aim to make contact with the ball inside the brand name for the same effect.
Purpose

1. To develop an inside to outside swingpath. Once you have ingrained an inside to outside swingpath you will be well on your way toward realizing your true golf potential. The consistency in your shot pattern will increase dramatically as you groove a swingpath that flows inside to out. Mastering the inside to outside swingpath will help keep your right elbow in close to your body. This will help eliminate casting or other over the top moves that generally cause slices or pulls.
2. To hit longer straighter shots. Experienced golfers know that a draw (right to left) rolls much farther than a fade (left to right). Hitting a drive with a draw can increase your distance off the tee 10 to 40 yards. This becomes increasingly important as you become a senior golfer. Along with the inside to outside swingpath you need a full arm and hand release to get the clubhead square at impact. This imparts a right to left spin on the ball.

Do's and Don'ts
Be sure to compensate with your club selection to allow for the lower trajectory and greater roll on an inside to outside shot. For example, you might be able to hit one club less because of the increased roll.

As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Inside_the_Stripe.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Hold a club behind your back. Bend forward with knees bent into an address position. Start a backswing motion. Turn in a 90 degree angle and then right.

Hold each position for 20-30 seconds. Begin with just one or two repetitions. Keep both knees bent slightly as you would when addressing the ball. Stop immediately if you feel any pain.

Make sure the angle of your spine remains constant throughout the turn. This drill will help you add distance to your shots and retain your flexibility for many years.

Purpose

1. To provide a base for a consistent swing. A proper turn is the key to a powerful golf swing. Developing a repeatable turn is the basis for the shot consistency that leads to enjoyable golf.
2. To develop the full turn necessary for achieving maximum distance. A full turn means full power. Two factors limit turning ability. First, flexibility: you must be physically able to turn without injuring yourself. Second, confidence: you must have confidence you can make a full turn and still return the clubface squarely to the ball at impact.
3. To provide gentle stretching, thereby increasing flexibility. How far you can turn is a function of your current flexibility. You can increase your flexibility and reduce the possibility of injury with a regular stretching program. If you do not work at keeping your flexibility, you will lose it. You can keep your full swing for many years with just a little stretching and flexibility work. You have no choice if you want to play golf at your full ability.

As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/The_Driver.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

If you were to ask 100 people this question, you would get 100 different answers. Some people probably think it's a swing that would allow a person to hit the ball 400 yards. Other people probably think it's a swing that would allow the person to shoot 64 every time they went to play. Still others would say that it would be the swing of Ben Hogan, while a totally different group of people would say that Byron Nelson or Tiger Woods who has a perfect swing. There isn't one clear idea of what the perfect swing is.

When I was learning the game, perfect to me was a toss up between Ben Hogan (flatter swing now known as a one-plane swing) or Jack Nicklaus (upright swing known as a 2 plane swing). Sure, there were other great players on tour at the time, but these were the 2 everyone talked about. It made sense to pick one of their styles and copy it.

Out of these 2 golfers, Jack Nicklaus had the swing that I wanted to copy. I used to imagine I was him on every shot I hit. I had quite a few people at the club tell me my swing looked like his and I even had the blonde hair to match. In 4 years of using this Jack Nicklaus swing, I became a scratch golfer and our Men's Club Champion at 17 years old.


As I got a little older, golf instruction started to gain popularity. It became mainstream in the late 1980's, early 1990's when David Ledbetter created Nick Faldo. This was a whole new way of building the golf swing. Dissecting every movement and setting very precise positions was now the way to perfection. I remember how people described Faldo as having a machine-like swing. To me, mechanical was cool. Setting perfect positions was cool. The thought of perfection had now become my obsession. I was no longer using my old out-of-date Nicklaus swing, I was a new man and I was seeking perfection. I was trying to become a blonde haired Nick Faldo. Unfortunately, this is where the trouble began.

In seeking the perfect swing, I totally destroyed my game. My obsession with perfection became my demise. I read books, watched videos and I listened to anyone who would give me a tip. I couldn't break an egg for over 10 years. Within this span of terrible golf, I tried going back to my Jack Nicklaus swing (that didn't work anymore) then the flat Ben Hogan swing (that didn't work either). Then it was Faldo swing again which I knew didn't work but I thought it might (again). Then, Nicklaus, Hogan, Faldo, Hogan, Nicklaus, Faldo (I can't remember but I think there may has even been a couple of Greg Norman's in there as well ) it was never ending and I was totally frustrated.

After floundering for many, many years, I finally saw the perfect swing ... really I did! The perfect swing I saw was that of the Iron Byron swing machine. For those of you who don't know, the Iron Byron is a robotic golfer that was designed by True Temper Sports in 1963 to test their golf shafts. The Iron Byron hits the ball perfectly every single time. The funny thing is this machine was not just picked out of thin air, it perfectly replicates the golf swing of the legendary golfer, Byron Nelson (hence the name "Iron Byron").

By seeing the Iron Byron hit a ball, it made me clearly understand what the perfect golf swing was and how it worked. By incorporating the movement of Iron Byron into my swing, I immediately improved (when I say immediately, it really was). Because of the Iron Byron, I got my swing back and I now hit the ball better than I ever have (and I rarely practice).

To this day, I teach all of my students to copy the Iron Byron swing machine. Why? Because it really is the only perfect swing on the planet and it only has 2 moving parts! I invite you to see a video clip of the Iron Byron and myself hitting a ball together on my website at www.swingmachinegolf.com so you can see that it really is possible to copy the only perfect swing on the planet.

Hopefully after seeing the Iron Byron in action, you too, can stop searching for the answers and changing your swing like I did for so many years.

As published on:
http://www.paulwilsongolf.com/golf_tip_17.htm

Labels: Swing Improvement

Who's your favorite player on the PGA Tour? Is it Tiger, Ernie or Freddy? When you swing the club, do you ever think that your swing looks like this players' swing? If you said "yes", I have some bad news for you. As much as you think you look like Tiger Woods, Ernie Els or Freddy Couples when you swing, the sad truth is ... you don't.

If you don't believe me, just put your swing on video and you will quickly see that I am right. Now that I have you totally depressed because you've have been trying to copy Tigers' swing for four years let's take a look at what you should be looking for to take your swing to a new level.

The Overall Appearance of a Pros Swing

When you watch Tour Players on TV doesn't it look like they have the ability to shoot 65? Their swings are so graceful, powerful and in control. Sure, some Tour Player's swings through the ages have looked a little odd but even these players looked like they could play great golf. In order to get this same look you have to have the proper fundamentals. In order to get the proper fundamentals you have to work hard on your swing. Here's a way you can look like a pro when you swing:

Go through the list below and check off the things that you do rather well (you or your pro may wish to add to this list based on your swing). Once you have your list finalized and checked off, take a little time and go over each point that isn't checked off. Once you've isolated the things that need to be worked on, make a new list on a new page. Try to list them in order of importance.

To determine their order of importance just ask yourself, "what could I change right now that would make my swing look more like that of a Tour Player"? Maybe it's something like: working on staying in balance throughout your swing. If you were someone who swung out of their shoes and fell over after each shot this would be a huge change that would immediately take you one step closer to looking like a pro (after all, they don't seem to fall over after each shot). Once you master that one thing, move on to the next and so on until your have crossed out every thing on your list. The day your list is totally crossed off will be the happiest day of your life!

Before You Hit the ball:

1. Grip Position - strong / neutral / weak

2. Grip Pressure - too tight / perfect / too loose

3. Set up - too tall / perfect / too low

4. Set up (feeling) - too tense / relaxed / too loose

5. Thoughts - too many thoughts or confused / clear thoughts

Starting Back:

1. Takeaway - inside / outside / perfect

2. Your Pace - slow / medium / fast

3. Your body coil - no feeling of being tightly coiled up / tightly coiled like a spring

4. Weight shift - weight shifting into the right instep / weight staying on left foot (reverse weight shift)

5. Swing Plane - inside / outside / on plane

Top of the Backswing:

1. Balance - in balance / swaying to the outside of your right foot

2. Weight shift - loaded 80% into the right instep / weight stayed on the left

3. Wrist hinge - fully hinged wrists / broken left elbow

4. Clubface position - open / square / closed

5. Right knee flex - flexed as it was at address / straightened up

6. Spine angle - dipping down / maintained / raising up

7. Swing Plane - upright / flat / perfect

8. Grip pressure - too tight / secure / letting go

Starting Down:

1. Pace - quick and jerky / smooth

2. Arm strength - trying to kill it / relaxed

3. Weight shift - sliding to the left / shifting and rotating at the same time

4. Plane - too far inside out / perfect / outside over the top

Impact:

1. Power Level - hitting as hard as you can / scooping the ball / solid / weak

2. Balance - leaning forward / perfect / falling back

3. Spine angle - raising up / maintained / dipping down

4. Weight distribution - hanging back on right foot / perfect / moving too much into the left

5. Arm extension - fully extended / buckled chicken wing

Follow Through:

1. Balance - feet twisting / weight falling back / perfect balance

2. Consistency - same swing each time / different swing each time

3. Spine angle - lifting up out of the shot / leaning over too much / leaning back / perfect

After the Ball is Hit:

1. Balance - can you swing in balance / out of control

2. Control - are you letting the club swing freely / are you steering the ball

3. Divot pattern - too far left / perfect (slightly left) / too far right

4. Ball flight - too low / too high / perfect

5. What you felt when you hit the ball - arms / body

6. Energy levels after your practice session - tired / fresh

I really hope this list can take your swing to the next level. Please keep it close at hand and refer to it on a regular basis. Keep this thought in mind as you continue your quest for a great swing. "Great golfers look like they can shoot 65. Great golfers all have the proper fundamentals. If I were to give you the proper fundamentals you, in turn, would look like a great golfer."

As published on:
http://www.paulwilsongolf.com/golf_tip_9.htm

Labels: Swing Improvement

Place your left hand on the end of a long iron or wood so that the club is held vertically at arm's length away from the body. Use your right hand to initiate a one arm backswing and underhand follow-through. Next, you can throw a golf ball down the target line to improve direction and follow-through.

Try swinging a club with your right hand while pretending to hold a club vertical with your left hand. Keep the right hand and arm close to the body throughout the swing and be certain your head stays down. Feel how this drill makes you keep your right shoulder under and through the imagined shot.
Purpose

1. To keep your right shoulder down the target line. If you have been told you "cast" or "throw the club at the ball", you are probably an upper body swinger. The means you move your right shoulder out and across the target line as you start your downswing. This drill gives you the proper feel of how your right shoulder should move during the swing.

2. To keep your right shoulder under and through the shot. This drill will show you what it means to stay under and through a shot. It will help you keep your right arm in close to you body at impact. Your right arm motion, close to your body, will carry your right shoulder under your chin and down the target line. Your right shoulder will come around and through the shot as you complete your swing. It also helps you "stay down" (keep your head down) and reduce the tendency to "spin out of the shot" (turn too much). The head and eyes are fixed on a target (clubhead) and the hips turn naturally throughout the motion.

Do's and Don'ts
You can use this drill as a pre-shot warm up while you are waiting to tee off. It can even be used on the course when you feel you are not staying down through the shot. You may see pro golfers do a version of the drill before some shots.
As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Shoulder_Drill.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

The follow-through is the result of the prior body movements. After impact it's just a matter of releasing all tension and letting centrifugal force finish your swing. Centrifugal force will keep the clubface travel and clubface angle in the proper position. After the ball leaves the clubface there is nothing you can do that will affect the flight of the ball.

The reason for good extension in the follow through is to keep the clubface accelerating at impact! The reason that the slice is so common is that many players try to keep the clubface angle square to the target through and after impact. This actually opens the face,resulting in a left to right spin to the ball (Slice).

Keeping the clubface angle square to the target after impact breaks down the left wrist, restricting the left arm rotation. These faults set up a chain reaction creating other faults. The lack of arm rotation affects both clubface direction and angle,resulting in both loss of accuracy and distance. Finally, your swing is going at such a high speed that it's a physical impossibility for you to even attempt to make any adjustments so commit yourself to doing the right things properly in your setup and takeaway because after that things are out of your control.

As published on:
http://www.worldgolf.com/protips/tomward/ward12.html

Labels: Follow Through

Proper ball position will help ensure solid contact. Ball position should be just inside the left heel. Hands, head and weight are behind the ball.

Think low and slow in the takeaway. Arms and shoulders stay "connected" for a one piece takeaway. Good hip turn and proper weight shift are important. Control any premature wrist cock.

During the downswing the upper body turns but doesn.t lunge or sway toward the target. The head and body (most of it) stays behind the ball through impact. Let clubhead speed do the work.
Purpose

1. To swing with balance and tempo while hitting long irons and woods. Don.t try to swing too fast. A smooth swing generating the proper clubhead speed will produce more consistent and positive results than a sudden, short violent effort.
2. To build confidence with the long game. You need to ensure a low wide arc away from the ball while loading up for the downswing. To ensure a low takeaway, you can place a tee about six inches behind the ball on line with the target. Trying to hit the tee during your backswing ensures a low takeaway. Let the speed and loft of the clubhead get the ball into the air.
3. The ball should be positioned close to the left heel so it can be struck at the bottom of the swing arc. Your stance should be square to target with rear foot "turned out" a little extra to allow for a greater hip turn.

Do's and Don'ts
Do not get frustrated if you have difficulty hitting long irons. Golfers learning to hit their long irons should consider using a utility wood. Ask your pro about them.

As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Balance_and_Tempo.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

To keep the clubface in the correct position throughout the swing, the left wrist must move in a flat position. What I mean by flat is in relation to the back of the left forearm, and the back of the left hand for right-handed players with the opposite for the left-handed players. To deviate from this position will roll the clubface out of position.

Keeping the left wrist in this flat position will allow the correct movement of the wrists at the top of the backswing, and the starting of the downswing, which is an up and down motion, keeping the clubface maintained in the proper position throughout the swing.

To check to see if the wrists are in the proper position that was mentioned above, swing the club half-way back about hip-level high with the clubshaft in the position horizontal to the ground. If the left wrist is in this flat position the clubface will be parallel to the target line, or the toe of the club will be pointing vertically towards the sky. Half-way through the forward swing with the shaft horizontal to the ground again the clubface should be parallel to your target line or toe facing upwards towards the sky. In these positions the left wrist has remained in the flat position throughout your entire swing which translates into a solid straight shot on line to your target. Finally, remember that any attempt to hit the ball with your hands will force the wrists out of position, and the cause them to break down which results in wayward shots.
As published on:
http://www.worldgolf.com/protips/tomward/ward7.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Putting, often our first experience at this wonderful game of golf. As young children, it is our annual chance at a free ice cream cone......that's only if we can putt it thru the clowns smiling mouth! But something happens as our golf game matures; we spend countless hours on the driving range trying to perfect that golf swing. We lose sight of our beginning, we forget that our introduction to this game was on the putting green. We still think "If I just hit this little golf ball close to the hole, I may not even have to putt at all."

I want you to think about the last five foot putt that you had to make, could others literally see the tension radiating from your body? Could they see the anxious expression on your face or could they even see your neck start to disappear as the shoulders pull in and got tight.

If this sounds like your last putting experience, I would like to share my pregame putting routine, that narrows my focus and frees up my stroke on the course.

The next time you find yourself on the practice green, find a flat six foot putt to a cup and place two tees lightly in the grass a half inch inside each edge of the cup. Essentially, you have created a mini-goal post to hit putts through. It sounds very simple, but when you try it, you'll notice how much more acutely you focus. Instead of putting balls quickly to a wide variety of targets, you now have a great way to focus your concentration on a much smaller target. By the time you make it out on the golf course, the standard size holes will feel like basketball
hoops in comparison.

As published on:
http://www.angusglen.com/DriveGolfTips.fxml

Labels: Putting

Here's what one golfer had to say about Arrowhead Golf Course in Colorado:

I read the reviews and decided to test the conditions this year (2006). I played in late June and the course was superb. The views are breathtaking and the greens were in great shape. I talked with their GM who mentioned some winter kill earlier in the season, but they overcame the rough conditions with flying colors. As for the pricing, the peak rate was $135 but after a little research I found coupons on the internet and played for $79. The course also offers variable rates throughout the day, $99 after 11 and a steal for $39 after five. All in all, I had a great experience that will not be soon forgotten. I recommend Arrowhead for all golfers, but especially for those seeking great golf with even greater views.

Book a discount tee time at Arrowhead Golf Course

As published on:
http://courses.golfreview.com/cat/mountain/colorado/golf-course/PRD_64298_3842crx.aspx

Labels: Course Reviews

We've all heard of the famous X-factor and how crucial it is to turbo-charging the range of your drive. We'll, here's an amazing tweak that you can apply for immediate results that will help you master your X-technique You can look forward to more power and greater distance in those long drives and with a whole lot less effort.

A Little Twist-Isolate your hips from your shoulders for a longer drive. The power in your stroke is directly related to the angular difference between your shoulders and your hips at the outer range of your backswing. The more the merrier. We're talking about the famous X-factor as first coined by Jim McLean back in 1992. The "X" refers to the cross created by an imaginary line through your hips as it intersects an imaginary line through your shoulders when viewed from above.

At the top of your backswing you should have the biggest differential between your shoulders and your hips, typically about 30 degrees. The differential lessens as you move through the downswing. Your power is directly related to this maximum differential and not to the overall angle that you generate between the club and the target line at the extreme of your backswing. It's doesn't mater how far you turn If there's no twist between your shoulders and your hips you'll have no power. And that's no fun.

As published on:
http://hotgolfblog.com/golf-x-factor-twist-for-a-killer-drive/#more-22

Labels: Swing Improvement

Have you ever thought about what your hands and forearms are actually doing at the moment of impact? If not, please give this a try because it's one of the most important parts of the swing.
Try to get into the impact position, like you are about to make solid contact with the ball. Now flip your trailing wrist like you were casting a fishing pole. This is referred to as a wrist break, and it's not a move that you want to make in golf. So if you are trying to "flip" your hands through the ball at impact, this tip may help you understand the correct way to make this happen.
If you put a wrist watch on you'll be able to visualize the correct moves to make. As your leading arm approaches impact the watch face should be getting close to pointing exactly down the target line, or to the flag. Now simply ROTATE the watch face so it's pointed at the ground. With a club in your hands, you'll see that this move makes your trailing wrist and forearm "flip" on top of your leading wrist and forearm.
You also see that this will help to "close" the face of your club nicely, that will both reduce your slice, and add distance. This is the correct move to be completing through impact.
It's important to note that your forearms should be working together as well. Try to keep your forearms as close to each other as possible through the impact zone. If you can master this move, you'll find increased distance and it will also do wonders for your slice.

As published on:
http://www.learnaboutgolf.com/beginner/swing_tips.html

Labels: Slicing

Learning how to hit a fade or a draw on command can be a useful weapon to have in order to play better and reduce your golf handicap. Becoming a shot making master can really make the game a lot easier. It is important to learn these shots as they are required in many situations when you are on the course. Here are some tips to help you learn these different shots:

The Draw Golf Swing:

Certain holes are shaped in such a way that hitting a draw increases your odds of making the fairway from the tee. Also hitting a draw is great with the driver when you are looking to get maximum distance since a draw golf shot usually travels a lot further and is effective against a strong headwind when it comes to hitting long drives in the wind.

The best way to hit a draw is to change your setup position slightly and move your right foot (right handed players) in a little so your feet are pointing to the right of the target. Then make a normal swing but focus on lower hand position in the finish. The idea is to get an inside to out path which will put draw spin on the golf ball.

The Fade Golf Swing:

If you find yourself behind some trees or some other obstacle and need to hit a pronounced fade in order to hit the green then the first step is to do the opposite to hitting a draw. Setup with the left foot slightly in and your feet pointing to the left of the target and then make a normal swing except focus on having a high finish.

The Hook Golf Swing:

Most golfer strive to cure the hook however there are instances when it can help especially to get out of trouble. Sometimes the only way to get to the green may be to hit a hook. Hitting this shot is similar to hitting a fade but just make sure the right foot is in even further and make sure your finish is even lower.

The Slice Golf Swing:

Again, the majority of golfers are in pursuit of curing their slice problem but getting out trouble may call for this shot to be deliberately executed. This is also similar to a fade swing but place your left foot in more and make an even higher finish.

The Punch Shot:

Hitting a low running shot is very useful for getting out of the woods when branches from trees prevent you from hitting a normal trajectory shot. To hit this shot simply use a lower lofted club and place the ball a little further back in the stance and then make a normal swing but make sure to have a low finish with the hands.

The High And Soft Landing Shot:

This shot is important when you are faced with hard and fast greens and need to stop the ball quickly. The key to this shot is to place the ball a little further up in the stance and then simply make a normal swing. This will encourage a greater upward blow to the ball which will launch it at a higher trajectory.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/articles.php

Labels: Swing Improvement

The game of golf is a very challenging one to master and requires commitment and effort on your part in order to improve. Lowering your handicap will require regular practice both on swing mechanics and the mental game. Here are few tips to help you learn how to shoot lower golf scores.

- Master Basic Swing Mechanics

The golf swing really is not that complicated even though many people make it out to be very complex. The truth is that a simple swing is often the best kind of swing. Taking a few lessons from a local golf pro can be a good way to learn some of the basic mechanics to help you hit the ball better.

Here are a few swing tips to keep in mind:

- Slow down your backswing

Remember that power is generated on the downswing so you do not need to rush the backswing because this can throw off your entire swing and you will end up making poor contact. Focus on a slow backswing, you can even pause for a tiny bit at the top of your swing and still swing very well.

- Loosen your grip

Most people grip the club far too tightly, loosen your grip and you will find that it will be easier to feel the club head and developing a good feel for the club head can make a big difference in your ball striking.

- Keep your head movement at a minimum throughout the downswing

You have probably heard this one before but remember that there will be a slight movement of the head towards the right in your backswing (right handed player). Throughout the downswing you want to make sure that your head is behind the ball so resist the urge to look up and see where the ball is going. Instead just let your head come up naturally with your right shoulder as you complete the swing. Learning how to improve at the game of golf can become frustrating and difficult however keeping things simple is often the best way to go.

Labels: Game Improvement

Reducing your golfing handicap can be a tough challenge especially if you do not have the time or money to play and practice as much as you would like. Fortunately the game of golf is becoming more accessible to more and more people as many golf courses charge lower fees and depending on the country you live in there are many great junior golf programs in place to help you become a top notch player if you choose to be.

However if your time and money is very low then do not worry because you can still get better by simply practicing smart. Here are some helpful tips to help you on the road to becoming a better quality golfer.

Tip 1: Learn the game from the green back to the tee

Many of the best players in the world have spoken about learning the game backwards. While it is always tempting to grab the driver as the first club to hit when practicing consider a slightly different approach. Start every practice session with your wedge and learn to master this club. Then slowly work your way up to your mid and long irons and finally your driver as the last club you hit.

Tip 2: Practice at least 3 to 5 times a week

Many people think that they can just practice once a week or once a month and expect to see great improvements. This is very rare as improvement will require a certain level of commitment. How long you practice is not that important as a short 1 hour practice session done 3 to 5 times a week can be more than enough to get better.

Tip 3: Focus on quality rather than quantity

The quality of your practice sessions is far more important than the length of time you practice or the number of balls you hit. Make sure to hit each shot with a purpose and have a plan for each practice session that addresses your current weaknesses so you can improve. Also make sure to have a routine that you execute on each shot that causes you to setup properly both physically and mentally.

Tip 4: Develop a good routine

The routine is the foundation of a consistent golf game. You will notice that many of the best players have a certain physical routine they go through on each shot that helps them to maintain confidence and setup properly every time. There are two aspects to a golf routine and that is the physical and the mental routine. Make sure your physical routine supports your mental routine by helping you to maintain confidence and eliminate doubts.

Tip 5: Use proper equipment

Many golfers use clubs especially the driver that simply does not fit their golf swing. If you have a slow swing speed that is under 100 mph then you need a regular flex shaft driver with loft over 10 degrees to give you maximum distance and control. If your swing speed is high then get a stiff flex shaft driver with less loft around 7 to 8 degrees. Make sure your clubs fit your swing rather than trying to change your swing to fit the clubs you are using. Lowering your handicap can be very difficult and challenging.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/reduce-golf-handicap-fast.php

Labels: Game Improvement

The game of golf can be a very rewarding experience as it allows you to be outside with nature on a beautiful course spending time with friends. However it is also great if you can learn to improve at golf as that will give you even greater pleasure. While many believe you can get better by using some magic training aid the truth still remains that it will require effort and commitment in order to improve.

The amount of time and energy you put in will reflect how good you become. However there are some things you can follow in order to get better faster and with the least amount of effort possible. The key is to practice smart and not necessarily hard. One of the best tips to follow in order to lower your golf handicap is to practice a lot on the short game.

It is important to spend enough time hitting wedge shots and chips and flop shots around the green as these kinds of shots can save you many strokes during a round of golf. Hit a lot of wedge shots from inside 150 yards. Also hit a lot of chips from all kinds of different lies. In fact look for the worst lies possible when practicing and hit from those. If you can learn to play from bad lies then the game will become a lot easier.

Learning the game backwards from the green to the tee is how many professionals learned how to play golf. Also remember that if you have confidence in your short game it will also help your long game since you will not be afraid to mishit the occasional shot as you know that you will be able to recover most of the time.

Think of the full swing as a simple extension of the shorter swings. Do not try to make the golf swing more complicated than it needs to be. In order to play great golf you need to keep the ball in the fairway and hit greens and then make the putts. Develop a simple swing that you can use to hit your targets easily. A good swing tip to always keep in mind is to swing well within your limits.

Do not try to muscle the club in an effort to out drive one of your playing partners. Focus on playing the course and not against your opponents. This way you will shoot the best rounds you are capable of on that day based on your current skill level. Remember that golf is supposed to be fun so do not take it too seriously and relax more. Being more relaxed will ironically actually help your game as you will be able to accept your mistakes more easily and not dwell on them. Just focus on each target and simply grip it and rip it. Learning golf can be difficult and frustrating.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/how-to-play-golf.php

Labels: Game Improvement

Putting is without a doubt one of the most important aspects of golf. It is also the best way to lower your score and can actually be the fastest way to shoot lower scores since improving your swing can take time whereas putting is primarily a mental game. The secret to great putting lies in your mind and in your ability to maintain your confidence.

Build Confidence:

Putting is all about confidence and it is when people lose their confidence in putting, that is when they start getting poor results on the green. Think about it for a second. How many different putting styles are there out there even on the PGA Tour yet they all produce great results and even the funkiest putting styles have been used to win major events.

So it is not the stroke that matters, however this does not mean you should ignore putting mechanics. In fact, if you are a beginner it is recommended that you take a lesson or two from your local golf pro just to get an idea of some of the mechanical approaches. A good mechanical tip is to make sure that your eyes are directly over the ball. This will help you to see the line of the putt better.

After this you need to stick to one approach regardless of what other people might say. Do not chase the "perfect stroke", it doesn't exist. You are better off chasing the 'perfect mentality'.

Putt To Make It:

So what is the ideal way to think to improve your putting. The bottom line is that when you step over the putt you must know the ball is going in the hole. I realize there are many that say for long putts you just want to get it close but I disagree because you are just increasing your margin for error if you are aiming for some 3 foot circle. Always putt to make it.

Before a round hit a few long putts to get the feel of the greens, you may even want to aim for the edge of the greens instead of the hole because you do not want to see yourself consistently missing putts.

With long putts you will not make the majority that is why when practicing to get the feel of a green putt to the fringe. This will help to maintain your confidence. You want to spend a lot of time practicing putts inside 10 feet as you should be making the majority of these and also they are important putts as they can make a big difference in your score.

Develop A Selective Memory:

Think of yourself as a great putter and see yourself making putts, forget the misses. You must develop a highly selective memory when it comes to putting and forget all your misses and only remember the ones you have made.

Constantly replay the great putts you have made in the past in your head both on the course and off. This again will help you to maintain supreme confidence every time you step over a putt. Also developing a solid pre shot routine that reminds you to become confident is very useful. When reading greens you want to trust your first impression and go with that.

Nobody reads greens perfectly every time, even the pros mess up constantly so be gentle on yourself if you misread a green. Again if you do misread a green, try to forget it and remind yourself again of all the times you accurately read a green and consequently made the putt.

The Importance Of Keeping The Mind Quiet:

You do not want to think about putting mechanics when are about to stroke the putt. The only thing that should run through your mind as you are about to stroke the putt is the target which should be something small like the blade of grass at the back of the hole or a foot to the right of the hole if the putt has break to it. Just let your mind and body work to automatically hit the putt with the right direction and distance. Keep your mind as silent as possible and let your natural athletic ability take over.

A good exercise to build a quiet mind is to focus on something neutral like the tip of a pen or your breathing. Try to only think of that neutral item and if other thoughts enter your mind then gently return your focus back on that item. Over time it will become easier to slip into that quiet state of mind. Apply this to each putt by focusing on the target and only that. These are some of the tips the greatest putters follow and there is no reason you cannot be a great putter too. While putting is critical to good golf you must also look at your full swing, other areas of your short game and the mental game to really get better.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/golf-putting-tips.php

Labels: Putting

After impact you want the club to fully release while keeping your head behind the ball. Your head should naturally come up with your right shoulder, so your chin should be over your right shoulder and your head facing the target to complete the follow through.

Remember to have some patience when learning the golf swing, go to the range and practice your swing without hitting any golf balls to start and then as you feel more comfortable with your swing you can start hitting a few balls.

Use these golf swing tips to practice your swing on the range for a few days, maybe even a couple of weeks until you are comfortable before you go out to the golf course. Remember to relax and focus on your targets when you are on the course and try to avoid thinking about swing mechanics on the golf course, rather focus on trusting and believing in your game. Use some of these golf tips to help you play better and lower your golf handicap. Do you suffer from bad swing mechanics? You need to learn a simpler golf swing that can help you hit the ball straighter more often.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/

Labels: Swing Improvement

The biggest key to the backswing is to be slow and deliberate. Do not rush your backswing, rather keep in mind that power is generated on your downswing so conserve your energy through your backswing. Try to keep the left arm as straight as possible and go as far back as you comfortably can.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/

Labels: Swing Improvement

The position of the ball relative to your right and left feet is one of the most critical variables in our search for solid ball clubface contact.

Whenever the ball is on the ground and we are attempting to get it airborne, it is critical the bottom of the swing arc is slightly after the golf ball. This rule is consistent with every club in your bag from a wedge to your driver. Consistent contact between the middle of the clubface and the golf ball can only be achieved with a descending blow. The backspin created from the descending blow is what gets the ball up in the air. This is the reason the touring professionals always take divots and the divots are always after the ball. When we attempt to lift the ball into the air with upward movement we will do one of two things; hit the top of the ball or hit the ground before we hit the ball.

There are two major things we must do to make sure we strike the ball solidly before we strike the ground with our swing. The first and most important is to make sure we execute a consistent and properly timed weight shift. Every time we make a full swing the weight should be 75-90% in the left foot by impact. No matter how precisely we place the ball in our stance, the club will be approaching the ball improperly if there is too much weight on the right foot at impact. The more weight on the left foot the better the chances we have for solid contact. The key to transferring the weight is ROTATING the legs and torso toward the target at the initiation of the downswing. If the target ward swinging of the arms precedes the turning of the body you will be in trouble.

Every time you set up, check the position of your ball. Here are some guidelines for ball position:

Short Irons (wedges, 9-iron and 8-iron) . The ball should be placed in the centre portion of your stance. These clubs have the most upright lie angles and they must be swung at the steepest angle, and you should take a divot in front of the ball.

Middle Irons. Your middle irons should be played one ball toward the target-side foot from center (a ball left of center for the right-handed golfer). These clubs have a slightly flatter lie angle and you should take a slightly shallower divot than with the short irons.

Long Irons and Fairway Woods. The correct ball position for the long irons and fairway woods is two balls toward the target-side foot from centre (two balls left for the right-hander). With these clubs, the ball should be struck directly at the bottom of the swing arc with very little divot.

Driver. The driver is played farthest forward (three balls left of centre for the right-hander) to strike the ball on the upswing.

As published on:
http://www.angusglen.com/DriveGolfTips.fxml

Labels: Ball Position

A perfect swing begins with a perfect set-up. By aligning our body and our club square and on-line to the target, if we hit it correctly, the ball will go exactly where we "hope" it will go. Our alignment however, is just one piece of the puzzle. With a correct neutral grip, we can now set-up to the ball.

Whether you are hitting a driver off the tee box, or chipping around the green, having a correct set-up is essential. A perfect set-up always includes two important parts: posture and balance. Perfect posture means that no matter what the shot, you are comfortable over the ball, and are in an athletic position. Since golf is a sport and golfers are athletes, it goes without saying that all athletes must "look the part". To do this, first, relax.

Tension is the #1 killer in all golf swings. When addressing your ball, your spine should be angled in such a way that has your shoulders on top of your toes and our arms hanging freely down from the shoulders. A good way to test this is by getting into position, and taking your right arm off of the club and let it hang freely. If you let your right arm swing loosely, it will come right back to your club. With this, bend your knees just enough to earn our second point of discussion, balance.

Without balance, it is guaranteed our perfect swing will fail. Our weight should be centered over the sole of your feet, and your feet should be spread accordingly

-For chips, pitches, and your low irons (8,9) your feet should be closer than shoulder width apart.

-For your mid-irons (5-6-7) your feet should be shoulder width apart.

-For your long-irons and woods, your feet should be wider than shoulder width apart, because with the increased shaft length means increased stability.

Balance also comes with swinging within your limits.A controlled tempo golf swing will incorporate balance, so know your limits.Good exercise programs and proper practice techniques will help you develop a sound swing!

As published on:
http://www.ctgolftips.com/

Labels: Swing Improvement