Golf equipment

Archive for April, 2008

Callaway

Published April 13th, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Callaway

The Callaway Golf Company is one of the world?s best known brands of premium golf equipment. Callaway manufactures various golf club including woods, irons, wedges, and putters. They also produce golf balls and licenses its name for apparel, footwear, and accessories. Callaway Golf also owns and manufactures products under the Odyssey putter brand as well as Top-Flite and Ben Hogan brands.
The company first made its name building clubs that were friendly and forgiving for amateur golfers, but became famous for its success among notable professionals and endorsers that include Phil Mickelson, Rocco Mediate, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Johnny Miller.

Callaway Golf is perhaps best known for its Big Bertha drivers, the industry?s first wide body, stainless steel wood and the club that launched the company to iconic status among pro and amateur golfers. The Big Bertha would put Callaway golf into the forefront of golfer?s minds as they realized that ?Bertha? would help them with long drives beyond their own expectations.

The company was founded in 1982 by former Burlington Industries textile president Ely Callaway. A dynamic leader and famously successful businessman, Mr. Callaway sold his Temecula, CA-based winery for a nice profit and was enjoying a brief retirement before adding club maker to his resume.

Never one to sit idle, he was playing plenty of golf and was on the lookout for new business opportunities when he spotted a wooden pitching wedge in a Palm Springs-area golf shop. The club was reminiscent of the hickory-shafted clubs he had used as a child, but this shaft was hollowed and filled with a steel core for consistency and strength. He bought half of Hickory Stick USA and renamed it the Callaway Hickory Stick USA.
Mr. Callaway was well known for thinking big, and he did this a lot when forming and growing his company. Today, the company continues to develop and manufacture technologically advanced golf equipment, including its line of two- and three-piece golf balls, as well as its Fusion FT-3 Driver, which combines titanium and carbon composite materials and allows golfers to choose internal weighting options that can counteract a slice or hook or enhance a draw or fade.

Callaway is preparing to release their latest driver the, F-Ti - a new technology in drivers with a square head. Phil Mickelson used two versions of the driver ? a draw and a fade ? in his 2006 Masters victory. Swedish sensation Annika Sorenstam, who has used and endorsed Callaway Golf equipment for her entire pro career, became the only woman to shoot 59 in competition in 2001 and in 2006 used the FT-3 Driver to earn her 10th major championship victory.

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com

Golf School

Published April 12th, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Golf School

So you?ve decided to take up golf and think that you may want to attend a golf school to learn about the game and the mechanics of the game. There are many, many golf schools to choose from that you may find yourself overwhelmed and unsure which way to turn. How do you find the best golf school for your needs?

First, consider the cost. Obviously, you won?t want to ?break the bank? on a golf school that you can?t afford. See what they charge and compare that cost to what they offer as well as what?s included in the price. The more perks included in the package, the more valuable the golf school will be for you.

You may want to find a golf school that caters to your specific situation. They do have specific schools that teach only women, only seniors, or only youth. These types of golf schools are located all over the country and can be great if you want someone to specifically address the problems or limitations that your situation might include.

What type of credentials does a particular golf school have? Are they sanctioned by one of the major golf associations? How are their instructors taught? A good golf school doesn?t have to be run by a famous golfer, but it should have instructors who have taken accredited courses on the effective teaching strategies that they need to know.

Class size, practice time, and techniques taught should also be considerations when you choose a golf school. If you will be put into a class of a hundred students, you won?t get as much one on one time with the instructor as if you were put in a class of 5.

Golf schools are often affiliated with country clubs and run through them. Some are resort based where students stay at the resort in a vacation setting and receive daily lessons. Some instructors will travel the country making stops at various country clubs where they will conduct week long schools for instruction.

There are many places you can go to when you are looking for a golf school. Many golf publications will feature golf schools prominently in their advertisements and they generally list the itineraries of the traveling instructors. Your local golf club will probably have information about golf schools in the area and even out of the area. Of course, you can also utilize the Internet when you are looking for a golf school. There are all sorts of websites that can guide you toward a golf school that will fit your needs and get you well on the way to a great golf game.

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com

Golfers

Published April 11th, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Golfers

We are a unique breed of person; we are obsessive; we are passionate; we are golfers. Golfers are different than other sportspeople because we often take the sport way more seriously than we really should. But golfers don?t care. Golfers love the game of golf and we won?t apologize for it.

Golfers constantly monitor the weather and if the temperature is over 50 degrees, we wonder what shape the course is in. We have The Weather Channel website as number one on our favorites list and check it daily. The ten day forecast is our friend as we plan out our golfing days based on the weather.

We wear the label of golfers with pride and it is reflected in our clothing, our vehicles, and the items we use to decorate our desks. Golfers want the world to know that they love golf and they are not ashamed to admit it and put it out there for everyone to see.

The Golf Channel is a necessary part of television for all golfers. If our cable package doesn?t contain The Golf Channel, we switch cable carriers. If they charge for The Golf Channel, we gladly shell out whatever price they ask with no questions.

On Saturdays and Sundays during golf season, golfers are watching whatever tournament is on television that week. That is, after we?ve already played a round or two. We know that the Masters is one of the most important PGA Tour events, but we also know that it?s just as much fun to watch the Pebble Beach Celebrity Pro-Am as well.

Golfers always know what the new driver is that has been released by Callaway and we often have heated conversations about whether to use a balata ball or a noodle. Golfers always have golf tees in their pockets and we don?t often take them out before the clothes are washed thus wreaking havoc with our washers and dryers.

Golfers know how Freddie Couples swings through on his chip shot. We know that Jim Furyk has a great back swing and that John Daly can drive the ball 400 yards pretty consistently. Golfers can tell you what year Arnold Palmer won his first major and how old Tiger was when he turned pro.

Yes, golfers are a specific breed with their own quirks and personalities. But golfers are proud of who they are and will never apologize for their obsession with golf. Golfers know that golf is a way of life ? not just something you do.

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com

Golf Galaxy

Published April 10th, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Golf Galaxy

Golf Galaxy, which opened its first store in 1997, quickly and easily differentiated itself from other golf retailers by becoming the world’s first and only interactive golf store. By offering superstore selection and pricing with pro shop knowledge and service, Golf Galaxy became the ?Everything for the Game? golf retailer.

Today, Golf Galaxy prides itself on its world-class selection of brand name golf equipment, golf apparel, golf accessories, and golf gifts for golfers of all ages and abilities. Premier merchandise brands include Callaway Golf, TaylorMade, Cobra, Cleveland, PING, Titleist, Ashworth, Greg Norman, Nike Golf, Adidas, and FootJoy. The retailer also sells pre-owned clubs and offers club trade-ins good toward any in-store purchase.

But it’s more than merchandise that sets Golf Galaxy apart from other golf retailers. Golf Galaxy also offers a comprehensive array of golf services and interactive golf features. Some of these features include:

* on-staff PGA and LPGA professionals who offer lessons and computer video swing analysis and answer questions about equipment and club fitting;
* on-site certified club technicians who use hi-tech ball launch monitor technology to ensure a proper club fit and who re-grip, re-shaft or simply adjust existing club loft, lie and swing-weight to give customers custom-fitted brand name clubs;
* an electronic, state-of-the-art golf course simulator that allows players to test their skills on the world’s most famous courses;

* an indoor driving bay that enables customers to test merchandise so as to make the best purchase possible;

* an on-site, full-sized bent-grass putting green featuring elaborate contours to create the pace and feel of a real golf course.

With 65 stores in 24 states, each averaging 17,000-square feet in size, Golf Galaxy is serving an ever growing golf market and is continuing to grow itself to meet the increasing demand. Recent statistics from the National Golf Foundation indicate there are currently an estimated 26.2 million golfers in the United States who spend approximately $24.3 billion on golf equipment and fees annually.

Golf Galaxy is an innovative, state-of-the-art interactive golf retailer. Designed to contain everything for the game, the stores boast comprehensive collections of golf equipment, apparel, accessories, and novelties for all ages and skill levels, as well as a host of interactive features.

Golf Galaxy also has an amazing website at www.golfgalaxy.com that offers visitors all sorts of information about the game of golf, golf equipment, and even online seminars. You can even order equipment online if there isn?t a Golf Galaxy store near you. For everything golf, be sure to check out Golf Galaxy.

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com

Golf Swing

Published April 10th, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Golf Swing

The golf swing is probably one of the most frustrating parts of the game of golf. People are constantly modifying their swing to get more distance or to correct problems like a slice or a hook. Really, though, the golf swing is just a matter of mechanics and putting body motions together in the right way to be consistent. But experienced golfers know this is easier said than done. What are the basics of a good golf swing?

* Your stance should be about shoulder width apart and your feet should be pointing slightly out ? but not too much!

* Let your arms hang naturally down from your body and place the club behind the ball. If your shoulders hunch or you have tension in your arms, you are probably too close to the ball. Stand back a little bit.

* Place about 70 percent of your body weight on your back leg.

* Straighten your spine and have a bit of bend in your knees.

* Keep your eye on the ball during your entire swing

* Grip the club as if you are holding a small, delicate bird. You want to keep the bird in your hands, but you don?t want to crush it either. That?s how you should hold your club.

* A good golf swing will be a fluid, easy motion with your shoulders turning slightly in the backswing and your follow-through complete.

* Make sure you keep your feet planted and slow down in your backswing. Most problems with a golf swing are cause by swinging too quickly in the back swing and then not accelerating through the ball.

* You will want to hit the ball in the ?sweet spot? or the center of the club. Hitting it anyplace else will cause your ball to travel in directions that you really don?t want it to go in.
* Then grip it and rip it!

It might help for you to take a lesson or two on the golf swing or even watch the way the pros do it on television. There are numerous articles that exist on the Internet that can help you with your golf swing, so always look for information and take as much advice as you can get.

Learning to swing a golf club takes years of practice as any avid golfer will tell you. There are ?a hundred? things to know and they all have to be working in exactly the right ways at exactly the right time to a have a good, consistent golf swing. Sometimes this just doesn?t happen, but when it does, it certainly is a great feeling!

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com

Skins Game

Published April 8th, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Skins Game

In golf, a skins game has players competing for prize money on each individual hole. There is an annual skins game for male professional golfers that takes place near the end of the year after the end of the official PGA Tour season. It is recognized by the PGA Tour, but it does not count towards the official money list. It is currently played at La Quinta Golf Course in La Quinta, California.

The Skins Game differs from most PGA tour golf tournaments for several reasons. First, only four golfers are invited to the tournament and the golfers play to win individual holes or ?skins? in a match play format.

Each hole is assigned a different monetary value and the golfer who has the lowest score on the hole wins the money for that hole. In the event that two or more golfers tie (which is called ?halving) on a hole, the skin money carries over to the next hole. If two or more golfers would happen to halve the final hole, a playoff begins until one golfer wins the hole outright.

The Skins Game has a long tradition for being highly competitive, but also very fun both to play and to watch. In 2001, the player winning a hole outright had to tie or win the next hole to collect his skins from the previous hole. This was very tough to do. Greg Norman was the only golfer that could back up his win on the previous hole. He won the 17th and tied for low on the 18th to collect $800,000 which was the largest skin ever collected for one hole. He would go on to win $200,000 in a playoff to win the entire $1 million dollar prize money.

In the 2004 Skins Game, the first six holes were worth $25,000 a piece. Holes 7 through 12 were worth $50,000 each. 13 through 17 were valued at $70,000 a pop, and the 18th hole ? known as the Super Skin ? carried a value of $200,000.

Fred Couples is given the nickname of ?Mr. Skins? because of his dominance in the Skins Game. He has won $3,515,000 and 77 skins in 11 appearances. He has won five of the Skins Games overall.

You can conduct your own skins game when playing golf. Of course, your holes won?t be valued quite as high as the pros are, but you can sure have a blast as you compete to see who can become your own club?s ?Mr? or ?Ms? Skins.

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com

Golf Statistics

Published April 8th, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Golf Statistics

Just as in other sports, golf statistics are easy to come by. But statistics can really tell a lot about the game of golf. They can predict the growing popularity of this great game and give golfers something to strive for as they attempt to meet or best the statistics set by the pros.

For example, there are 57 million people all over the world who call themselves golfers. In the last ten years, there have been 7,800 new golf courses open up all over the globe. The average male golfer can drive the golf ball 195 yards while the average drive by women is 145 yards. The record for longest drive is 415 yards.

Golf statistics are especially important for the professional golfer as well. They are ranked according to their showing in various tournaments and assigned points that determine who is the best golfer. These golf statistics are especially important in years when the Ryder Cup is played as their point totals determine who will play in this prestigious tournament.

There are also golf statistics that keep track of how much money a player has made which is another way of ranking their abilities. As of the writing of this article, Vijay Singh is the worldwide money leader with Tiger Woods following closely behind.

Because there are many, many golf leagues at golf clubs all over the world, keeping track of player statistics is essential in the running of these leagues. Often players will also want to keep track of their own statistics to track their progress. Luckily, there are a lot of software programs that can help with this. Many of them are even free for download on the Internet.

Here are a few programs we?ve found that seem to be pretty comprehensive for keeping track of golf statistics:

* Stat Doctor ? keeps track of handicap, golf statistics, and overall game performance in an easy-to-use program. Available for download at www.golfstatdoctor.com

* Keep My Golf Score ? this is an online golf statistic software program where you join for free and input your playing information. The program will then compute your golf statistics and keep track of your performance. www.keepmygolfscore.com

* Golf Tracker ? their website states simply, ?You golf. We keep score?. This is also an online golf statistics program that is free to use. You input your information and they will keep track of them. www.golftracker.com

Some people think that statistics are dry and boring ? especially golf statistics, but if you are a golfer who is interested in improving your game, you will want to keep track of your golf statistics and then watch as your golf game improves!

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com

Professional Golf

Published April 7th, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Professional Golf

As with any other sport golf also does have a professional level. The difference between playing professional golf and amateur golf, however, can be a very fine line. There are a lot of amateur golfers that can score at the professional level, however, they are unable to do it consistently and often miss out on the tournaments that can qualify them to get on the tour.

Nonetheless, it is a dream of many golfers to play professional golf one day and make a living doing something that they truly, truly love. Your office is the course, and your co-workers are people who love the game just as much as you do. You share common interests at the professional level of golf and it can be a very satisfying career. But isn?t that obvious?

Qualifying to play professional golf is another story altogether. The field is very competitive and it can be extremely difficult to break through. Some people try their whole lives to qualify and always come up short. It takes a lot of practice, a lot of dedication, and an ability to take a lot of disappointment to play professional golf, so know what you?re in for!

To get started playing professional golf, you will first have to qualify for ?Q School? or Qualifying School. Q Schools are annual qualifying tournament for leading golf tours like the PGA and the LPGA. In Q School, a fixed number of players win membership to the tour for the following season. In professional golf, this is referred to as your ?tour card?. You will then be able to play in most of the tour?s events without having to qualify.

Getting through the Q school is very competitive and most professional golfers never achieve it. There can be up to four stages to negotiate each of them like a regular golf tournament with only a small number of players going on to the next state. The final qualifying school may be played over up to six rounds compared with the standard four rounds in a professional golf tournament. However, players who are successful at Q school can reach the elite level of competition very quickly.

You can also qualify to play professional golf in other ways. Finishing near the top of the money list on the tour?s developmental tour, winning a tournament on the tour after qualifying or as a sponsor?s invitee, or winning enough money on multiple events on the tour to meet whatever criteria the tour may lay down for promotion to full membership. This last one was how Tiger Woods gained his first tour card.

Playing professional golf is not an easy career to pursue, but it is a great way to make a living! Persistence, patience, and a great game of golf can all get you on your way to playing professional golf, but be realistic and know that it will take time.

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com

Golf Tips

Published April 4th, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Golf Tips

People are always on the lookout for tips to make their golf game better. Golf isn?t an easy sport to master. Those of us who love the game know that the more information you have regarding the swing, course management, putting, etc. the more chance you have of playing better. That?s why we will take golf tips from almost anyone who?s willing to offer.

So what kind of golf tips can we offer up in this article? Space is limited, so we?ll try to focus only on those tips that are most asked for. First, if you have a bad temper, you probably shouldn?t take up golf. We?re just kidding, really. Actually, golf can be good for your mental state. You may find that you can take out your frustration on the golf course in productive ways and perhaps you can gain better control of that temper!

Since most people have trouble with their setup, our first set of golf tips will deal with the setup.

* Position your body so your body is parallel with the target line
* Your feet should be shoulder width apart
* With short irons, put the ball in the center of your stance
* Middle irons should have the ball placed one ball toward the target side from center
* For long irons and fairway woods, place the ball two ball lengths toward the target from center

* The ball should be three ball lengths toward the target from center
* Balance your weight on the balls of your feet
* Bend your knees slightly and keep your spine straight
* Move your body from the hips and make it a smooth, fluent motion

Keep your eye on the ball until well after you complete your follow-through swing. If you don?t do this, you will have a tendency to stand up on the ball which will cause you to top the ball. Do this with all shots. Look at the back of the ball and don?t take your eyes off of it until it?s natural to look and see where the ball has gone.

When putting, the best golf tips we can offer up are:

* Visualize the path your ball will travel so that it will go in the hole
* Read the green and take into account any dips that may cause your ball to change its direction. Then you can compensate with your aim.
* The putting swing is a smooth, pendulum-like action with no wrist break. You will swing with your shoulders and should always keep your head down.
* Be sure you put enough speed on the ball so that you will actually make it to the hole. There?s nothing worse than coming up short on a putt. These lead to three putt disasters and can be very frustrating!

There are all sorts of golf tips out there to be found. Take any tips on your golf game that you can find and then try them out to see if they work. You can never have too many tips if you really want to make your golf game better.

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com

Golf Grip

Published April 1st, 2008 in Golf Improvement | No Comments »

Golf Grip

A good golf grip is essential to playing a good game of golf. If you are gripping the club incorrectly or too hard, you will end up with shots that go places you don?t want them to go. There is no one exact science to the golf grip, but there are three basic golf grips that golfers use today:

* The overlapping grip is the most common golf grip used. It is used mostly by male golfers and those with strong wrists and forearms. The little finger of the right hand lies on top of or overlaps the index finger on the left hand.

* The baseball grip is most commonly used by younger golfers, females, seniors, and those with weaker wrists and arms. The index finger of the left hand and the little finger of the right hand meet but do not overlap or interlock.

* An interlocking grip will be used by golfers with shorter hands and fingers, those with thicker or chunkier palms, and golfers who have difficulty with the overlapping grip. The index finger of the left hand and the little finger of the right hand overlap each other and interlock.

Here is the basic way to grip a golf club no matter which grip you use. Start by holding the club directly in front of you with your right hand with the club head pointing away from you at about a 45 degree angle.

Next grip the club with your left hand. The club will be mainly in the palm across the pads at the base of the fingers. However, the club will lie across the first section of the index finger. The thumb will be positioned straight on top of the golf club shaft. Relative to the golf club, the thumb will be in the twelve o?clock position.

Now, with your right hand, grip the golf club just above your left hand with the fingers, not the palm, of your right hand. The thumb will be positioned slightly off to the left. Relative to the golf club, the thumb will be in an eleven o?clock position.

If you have gripped the golf club correctly, only the first two knuckles of your left hand will be visible. Also, your left thumb should be completely hidden under your right hand. The index finger position of your right hand will look and feel like a gun trigger finger.
If your golf grip pressure is right, the club could almost be pulled out of your hands, but not quite. A correct golf grip will make you feel as if you are holding the club mostly in the palm and last three fingers of your left hand. Regardless, both hands should hold the club with equal pressure. A correct golf grip doesn?t guarantee a successful golf swing; however, a defective golf grip will almost always result in a failed golf swing.

Gunnar Berglund, Online marketer since 2000
owner of golf-for-junior.com golf-for-junior.co.uk
and fredsgolfshop.com