Bear at Golf Tournament
Black bear, et. al. wander onto golf course during Senior PGA tournament in Colorado Springs, CO.
Alice Cooper Hates Golf
Legions of fans know him as a blood spewing, snake loving, shock rocker. But he’s also a talented golfer. Alice Cooper shows his genteel side on The Hour. (2006)
Golf Fitness Training Improves Your Golf Swing With Core Training
The words core training, golf fitness, and improving your golf swing have become common words in golf. It is well known the number of professional golfers utilizing a golf fitness program to improve their golf swing. Addition to this well-known situation a common word has become connected to the phrase golf fitness. This phrase has become a buzzword in the world of golf. Unfortunately many do not understand the phrase and the relevance it can have on the golf swing. The phrase is core training. Core training can be a great benefit to your golf swing as a part of comprehensive golf fitness program.
Unfortunately many amateur golfers are unsure of the exact definition of core training and the relevance it may or may not have on a golf fitness program. The core is a reference to an anatomical area of body. The core is the anatomical area of your body from above the knees to below the chest. It includes all the muscles, nerves, and bones within in this anatomical region of the body. It must also be noted that the core includes all the neuromuscular structures on the front, side, and back of your body. For example, your lower back muscles are a part of the core as are your abdominals.
Core training is an integral part of a comprehensive golf fitness program because this is the anatomical area of the body where the majority of the golf swing occurs. For example, the golf swing requires you to rotate around a fixed spine angle. The majority of muscles allowing rotation to occur around a fixed spine angle are found within the core region. The golf swing requires a full shoulder turn to execute correctly. The muscles allowing the shoulders to rotate are mostly found within the core region of the body. These are just a few examples providing a reference between the biomechanics of the golf swing and the core region of the body.
Understanding the connection between the biomechanics of the golf swing and the core should begin to shine some light on why core training can be beneficial to the golf swing. Overall, the golf swing requires certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to execute correctly. If the body lacks the required levels within these physical components the golf swing will be difficult to execute correctly. Knowing that a large portion of the movements in the golf swing occur within the core region, it becomes obvious developing these physical components become necessary in order to improve your golf swing.
The key component of core training in relation to the golf swing centers upon the principle of cross-specificity training. Cross-specificity training implies the exercises within the core program train the body to the positions, movements, and requirements of the sport. A core training program beneficial to the golf swing must train the body specifically for the anatomical positions, movements, and actions encountered on the golf course.
The goal of cross-specific core program is to develop a transfer of training effect. The majority of fitness programs and many core programs do not address the needs of the golfer relative to improving flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power. A cross-specific core program will provide the foundation for a better golf swing. Just because a program is labeled a “core program” does not necessarily mean it will be beneficial to improving the golf swing.
Once the golfer understands the concepts of cross-specific training, transfer of training effect, core, and the biomechanics of the golf swing. You can begin to piece together the components of a golf fitness program. Outside of providing the foundation for the golf swing through providing the golfer with the needed levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to efficiently execute the golf swing. A golf fitness program can also improve a golfer’s swing.
One common area of desired improvement for most any golfer is increased distance. Increased distance in the golf swing is equated to increased clubhead speed. And increased clubhead speed is directly related to the golfer’s power outputs. Increasing power within the golf swing is connected to both swing mechanics and the body. The coiling and uncoiling within the golf swing directly affects the power outputs generated. In addition the body has a direct affect upon power development in the golf swing. Power in relation to the body can be defined as the ability of the body to create the greatest amount of force in a short amount of time.
If the golfer increases the ability of the body to generate more force, what will be the result within the golf swing? The golfer is more powerful, an increase in clubhead speed will occur, and the golf ball will probably travel farther. Interestingly enough improving power outputs by the body in relation to the golf swing, centers upon developing greater power outputs by the core region. Again, the golf swing is a rotational movement centering in the core region of the body. Increasing the force outputs of the muscles in the core can invariably improve the power in your golf swing. This again is only one example of where core training and golf fitness can improve the golf swing. Many additional areas of improvement can occur when the golfer develops the body correctly for the golf swing.
Understand the biomechanics of the golf swing require certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to execute correctly. The golfer requires minimal levels of these physical components at the very least to execute the golf swing correctly. The core is an anatomical region of the body where much of the movements within the golf swing occur. A core training program can be beneficial to improving the golf swing if the exercises within the program are cross-specific to the movements, positions, and physical requirements of the golf swing. If the core program is not cross specific to the golf swing, the benefits may less than optimal. Realize a comprehensive golf fitness program includes core training to develop the body around the golf swing. Such a program can improve the golf swing in areas like clubhead speed. And remember just because a program is labeled “core” does not necessarily mean it will improve your golf swing. The exercises within the core program must correlate with the movements of the golf swing.
Three Keys To Increase Distance With Your Golf Swing
For many golfers, a big concern is how to hit the ball farther. Typically, a good swing with solid fundamentals will naturally allow you to hit the ball far provided you have good strength. There are a few important keys that you can specifically work on to hit it farther.
The first key I recommend is having good angles in your setup or swing. A good setup will have good knee flex and a correct bend from the hips with the weight on the balls of your feet. A good setup is a critical component to not only swinging more on the correct path but also hitting it farther. You want to have a good shoulder turn on the backswing where your shoulders turn a full 90 degrees. This will allow you to swing the golf club over your shoulder and maintain good angles at the top of your backswing as well. From there, you’ll be in a powerful position to swing back down through the golf ball.
Second key is swing speed. You want to make sure you are swinging fastest at the point of impact. Many golfers make the mistake of rushing their backswing, making it too fast and then from their it is forced to slow down coming into the golf ball when it should be speeding up at this point. One key on timing of your swing is the backswing should be three times as long as the downswing. Tour players were studied and it was recorded that they all have this correct tempo where their backswing all are three times as long as their downswings. Make sure not to try to swing too hard from the top of your backswing. Often times golfers try to hit the ball too hard resulting in lots of problems when hitting the golf ball. You want to have a nice and smooth transition and allow the swing speed to increase as you are nearing the impact position. This will maximize your chances of hitting the ball longer and straighter.
Third key is creating lag in your swing. You do this by hinging your wrists in the backswing which allows you to build up “leverage”. Then on the downswing your hands will actually lead into the golf ball before the club hits the ball. With the hands slightly ahead at impact, you’ll be assured of a solid strike which will make the golf ball travel farther.
VW Golf MK4 HGP TwinTurbo vs. BMW Z4
The funny thing in this vid is, that the Z4 driver didn´t know that the VW Golf MK4 R32 had an HGP TwinTurbo with 515HP 
“Thanx to Plowy”
Learn Ways To Improve Your Golf Swing
It seems as though many golfers are unaware of the importance the hands play in the execution of the golf swing. Obviously, we know that the hands grip the golf club and attach the body to the club. But what is the importance of them during the swing?
The answer has to do with releasing of the club. Let’s go back and do a quick golf biomechanics review. During the swing, from address position to follow-through, the hands are active in a passive type of manner.
Let me explain. The goal of the golf swing is to move the club on the correct swing plane to induce the intended golf shot that you want. This occurs through the body’s moving through a series of positions. These positions are found within the different phases of the golf swing.
The phases of the swing are address, take-away, backswing, transition, downswing, impact, and follow-through. During all of these movements the body is performing, the golf club is being moved upon a swing plane. The swing plane is the path upon which the golf club is to travel. Proper impact with the golf ball requires the golf club’s traveling upon the correct swing plane.
In order for the club to travel on the correct swing plane it is necessary for the clubface to open and close. Oftentimes, in golf terms the opening and closing, of the clubface is termed “releasing of the club.” This is where the hands become an integral part of the golf swing.
If you talk to almost any instructor, they will say that any good player has “great hands.” This statement refers to exactly what was described above (the releasing of the club correctly). It’s obvious if you look at players such as Tiger, Phil, or Vijay.
I even remember walking the course at Doral in Miami with top-5 teaching instructor, Rick Smith. One point he continued to return to in terms of discussing the golf swing was “hands.” He stated more than once how any PGA Tour player has great hands. This just provides additional support for how important the hands are in terms of the golf swing.
But what does this all mean? Well, we know the hands are involved in the “opening and closing” of the clubface during your swing. This movement allows for the proper release of the club. As I mentioned, the hands are “active in your golf swing, but in a passive manner.”
Again, to open and close the clubface during the golf swing the hands move back during the backswing, hinge at the top of the backswing, return the club to square at impact, and release the club afterwards. In order for this to occur the hands must be passive!
What do I mean by passive?
You cannot force the hands to move through the golf swing and release the club. This creates tension in the golf swing, affects tempo, and, overall, results in poor shots. If you do not believe me, go to the driving range, grip a club as hard as you can, and attempt to swing. The results will be much less than optimal.
I think Dean Reinmuth, ranked by Golf Digest as a top-30 teaching pro, puts it best when speaking about the hands in the golf swing. He discusses “feel” as an integral part of the golf swing. He states that in order to have a successful golf swing you must be “tension free.”
“Feeling” the club move on the swing plane is an indicator of being “tension free.” And in order to have this feeling, your hands must be relaxed (i.e. passive).
How do you develop good hands in your golf swing?
Easier said than done. In order to develop “feel” in the golf swing, remove “tension” from your golf swing and develop great hands, you must develop three fundamentals.
Fundamental number one is an understanding of the golf swing. In order to know what the body and golf club are to do during the swing you must know the biomechanics of the golf swing. If you don’t, how are you going to know what the body and club are to be doing during each phase of the golf swing?
Secondly, you must develop the mechanics of the golf swing. Your body and mind must integrate the movements of the golf swing into a repeatable movement. This occurs through proper instruction and practice of the correct golf swing mechanics.
Finally, it is necessary to develop the body. Yes, the body! Your body must have the flexibility, strength, endurance, and power to perform the golf swing correctly. If the body is inflexible, weak, and powerless, how are you going to be able to perform the mechanics of the swing correctly?
The obvious answer is: you are not! Developing great hands in your golf swing comes down to developing a “basket” of fundamentals within your golf swing. Understand the biomechanics of the golf swing, develop the proper mechanics within your golf swing, and develop a body to support your swing. These are the keys to developing great hands in your golf game.
Just For Laughs - Shotgun Golf [HD]
HD Quality
GOLF-MIKE Fight For You LIVE @ Album Press Con.(08.03.07)
Golf-Mike singing Fight For You live at One By One album’s Press Conference. Fancam by maymind.
How To Swing The Golf Club On Plane Correctly
Swinging on plane is a big key to hitting solid golf shots. The first thing that needs to be correct is your setup. A good setup position with a correct grip, good angles, and proper alignment will all aid you in swinging on plane correctly.
Starting your backswing on plane requires a slow smooth takeaway with the arms and shoulders. At the point where the golf club is parallel to the ground in the beginning of your backswing, the golf club should cover up your hands if you were looking in a mirror or someone was standing behind you this is what you would see. If the clubhead is too far in front of your hands, it is too far outside the plane line. If the clubhead is too far behind your hands, the club will be inside too much. Both of these incorrect positions will cause problems with keeping the club on the correct swing plane during the rest of your swing.
Halfway into the backswing, your hands should be set in the middle of your chest. Also, from this halfway back position, if you drew a straight line down from your left elbow (for the right handed golfer), it should point right at the golf ball. If your left elbow is pointing more towards your feet, your swing plane is too steep. If your elbow is pointing too far out away from the ball, your swing plane is going to be too laid off or flat. This is a great drill you can use to make sure you are starting your backswing on plane correctly.
Choose Golf Bags to Enjoy the Game
Golf bags serve many functions during your round of golf. No matter whether you are using a golf stand bag or a golf cart bag the bag needs to make you comfortable while you are practicing or playing your round of golf. In addition, your golf bag can be a statement of style.
A golf bag is an essential piece of equipment. It does not matter your skill level. As a low handicapper or a beginning golfer, your golf bag can make the game more enjoyable for you. Next to your golf clubs, a golf bag is simply the most important piece of golf equipment there is.
As a beginning golfer, there are many options and quite frankly a lot of confusing information about golf bags. Once you actually begin playing golf on the course, then you will need some sort of golf bag of your own to carry your golf clubs as well as all of the other accessories to play your round of golf. However, there are things that you should know before buying a golf bag on impulse or without the correct information.
You first need to understand that there are two types of golf bags available for you to purchase. You will have the option of purchasing a carry bag or a cart bag. Here are a few of the differences:
Carry golf bags or stand bags are bags that are used when you are planning to walk the majority of your rounds of golf. These bags are lightweight and are very versatile. Many players will use a golf carry bag or golf stand bag when they do ride as they play during their round of golf. Cart golf bags are those that you use when walking is not possible (as some golf courses prohibit walking), and riding a golf cart is your option. In addition, some players who do not walk, like these bags because they tend to have more room available through multiple pockets.
When buying a carry golf bag, make sure that you are able to find a comfortable one. Make sure to check the straps to see if it fits comfortably and whether it can be carried easily with a set of golf clubs in it. Even if you are on a restricted budget, do not necessarily purchase the lowest priced golf bags. Comfort is very important in this instance as you will literally be strapped to the bag for many hours. An uncomfortable bag will not only make you miserable on the golf course but in addition the bag can be painful if it rubs you to the point it causes blisters.
A golf cart bag is typically made of heavier material such as leather. In addition, the top of the golf cart bag is usually larger and typically measures approximately nine inches. Due to the size and weight of the bag, it does not make sense to carry a cart bag during your round of golf. Most golfers are not in good enough shape to pull this off and still enjoy it.
Another important thing to consider when purchasing any type of golf bag is its weight. This is one of the most important things to know. A golf bag should be light enough to be carried or carted easily, but sturdy enough to hold your clubs and protect them. Some bags are even water resistant and are rain proofed for the protection of your clubs. Most of these bags have anywhere from five to nine dividers for your clubs as well as additional pockets.
As golf bags are an essential piece of equipment, depending on how you play the game will determine which type of golf bag will best suit your needs.
