Few things are more important to a golfer than a good golf bag. First off, golf bags come in many styles and a wide variety of colors. You can choose a bag for  style, features or pick a color to match your mood.

Some have legs that fold out when they are placed on the ground and stand upright so the golfer doesn’t have to bend down and pick it up. That’s a nice feature in golf bags, especially if the golfer tends to walk the course, as many do. There is plenty of bending to be done when a golfer is trying to remove an obstacle from around his or her ball, or to get the ball out of the cup, so any way to avoid bending over is more than appreciated.

All golf bags have compartments where the golf clubs are to be placed. Each golfer has his or her own way of doing this and putting clubs where he or she wants them. Some golfers, though, are lazy and just stick their clubs in the compartments, grabbing whichever one they want when a particular club is needed. But, some golf bags have tubes to protect the club grips. These are nice to have. With the tubes, a golfer can get his or her clubs out easier. The clubs are never tangled up, and the grips last a lot longer.

Another important factor in choosing a golf bag is the number of pockets it has. Frankly, there’s no such thing as too many pockets in a golf bag. First, one of the pockets will be used to hold the golf bag’s hood. The hood is used to keep the clubs and bag from getting drenched when it rains. Another pocket will be used to keep extra towels (believe it or not, extra towels are important in the summer to keep the sweat off the brow and out of the eyes, along with keeping the hands relatively dry. Then, there is the pocket used for keeping the extra golf tees and possibly the divot tool. Finally, a pocket is needed for the golf balls themselves, and it doesn’t hurt to have a pocket to carry another dozen balls in, just in case.

Some courses are so difficult it is easy to lose a lot of balls during 18-holes of play. This makes having an extra box of balls around a good thing, but there has to be somewhere in the golf bag to keep them, which means another pocket.

Imagine trying to play golf without a bag. The golfer would be constantly stooping over picking up clubs, tees, balls, towels and the divot tool. Then he or she would have to walk to the ball, drop all of the clubs and stuff, select a club, hit the ball, and start the process all over again. It would be a major pain in the neck, and would make it nearly impossible to finish playing a round of golf. So, golf bags are an essential part of the game of golf.

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Arguably golf’s interesting origin began five centuries in the past. It is a historical fact that due to the interference of golf with much more serious combat drills James II of Scotland banned golf in an act of Parliament on March 6 in the year 1457.  There is general agreement among historians and golf fans alike that the Scots were the first golfers who became somewhat addicted to the sport. However the persons responsible for the invention of golf is open to debate. And debate will ensue if you breech the subject with the right persons.

It has been suggested that bored sheepherders became quite exceptional at knocking round shaped stones into rabbit holes with their wooden shepherds staffs. Making a competitive game of the boredom seemed inevitable. After all women’s lib was not yet even considered so that means the shepherds were men. Lets face another fact of history, men tend to be more of a competitive nature. Various forms of golf were played as early as the fourteenth century. These games were played in Holland, Belgium, France as well as in Scotland, thus the debate of golf’s origin is rightly fueled.

There is another historical fact that Scottish Baron, James VI, was the man who delivered the game we know today as golf to the English. For many years the game was played on severely rugged terrain, where no proper upkeep was required. In most accounts golf was played with crudely cut holes in the ground where the earth was reasonably flat.

It was a group of Edinburgh golfers who first formed an organized club. In 1744 the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers was established. At this time in history the first thirteen laws of golf were drawn up for an annual competition. This first competition consisted of players from any part of Great Britain or Ireland.

One of the earliest golf clubs that were formed outside golf’s debatable native home of Scotland was the Royal Blackheath Golf Club of England. Blackheath came into existence in 1766 and the Old Manchester Golf Club was founded on the Kersal Moor in 1818.

By the late 1800’s the Royal Montreal Club and the Quebec Golf Club were to become the first in North America. It wasn’t until 1888 that golf resurfaced in the United States with more fervor than each prior surfacing. Even then it was a Scotsman, John Reid, who first built a three-hole course in Yonkers New York. St. Andrews Club of Yonkers was built in a thirty-acre site near to the original three-hole course.

From the hesitant and fitful start golf grew rapidly as the new national pastime in America. Modern for its time the golf club, Shinnecock Hills was founded in 1891 and in the nine years left in that century more than one thousand prestigious golf clubs opened in North America.

The historical value of golf is as interesting as any part of our heritage. Following the path that golf took to get from a shepherds field to the amazing golf courses that dot our culture today it is no wonder golf remains a popular pastime in all parts of the world.

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photo by: canonsnapper

Some of the best golf tips that you can get are the ones on shanks. The reason for this is that for golf tips, shank is one of the most popular subjects because of how much it can mess up your game. No matter who you are if you play golf you have shank the ball at least once, so you want to do everything that you can next time to prevent that from happening.

What is a shank?

If you are new to golf the first thing that you have to understand is what a shank is, this way you can understand how to correct it through the golf tips that are going to be provided. What happens when you shank a ball is instead of hitting the ball with the center of the club you are hitting the ball with the back part of the club. When you hit the ball with the back part of the club, what usually happens is the ball goes flying off, but not in the direction, you wanted to hit it.

Fix Club Position

The first thing that you can do to try to eliminate your chances of a shank is to work on the club position. You want to ensure that your club is in the desired position before you even move your arms back to swing at the ball, which is known as the setup. When setting up your club look at where the center of the clubface is compared to the ball, how it lines up will determine what you need to do to correct your problem. If you hit a lot of shanks, your best bet is to line up the ball towards the front of the clubface rather than the center because it will make up for any movement in your swing.

Distribute Weight Correctly

The next thing that you want to work on is your side-to-side weight distribution. This is important because of how you react to where the majority of your weight is placed. For example, if you tend to put most of your weight on your heels when you setup for a stance it only makes sense that you feel like you are leaning backwards when you swing, so you naturally shift your weight forward to your toes. Shifting your weight forward to your toes is most likely making your clubface lose position, which leads to a shank. You want to work on having your weight evenly distributed, so there is no more weight on your heels than there is on your toes.

Aim Right

Your aim when you are swinging your club at the ball is also important if you don’t want to shank. Most likely, you are like most golfers, when you aim you are watching the center of the ball, but if you are hitting a shank chances are the clubface is moving based on where you think you are aiming. The best way to correct this is to aim towards the inside of the ball or pretend there is another ball next to the first. You can even work this through by setting up the shots with one ball and then placing a second ball next to it, without moving your feet or your club. You will see how you are hitting the ball, so you can correct your aim.

Have you own No More Shank Golf Tips?? Share it in the comments.

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photo by: DraconianRain

Whether you are just learning how to play golf or you are looking to improve your golf game you need to understand that your golf swing is very important to your game. Your golf swing is important to your golf game because you have to swing to hit the ball. To play the best game that you can you will want to have the best golf swing out there.

Luckily, there are plenty of tips to improve your golf swing available, all you have to do is put them to good use. Just keep in mind that not all of the tips might be useful for you, but you wpon’t know for sure until you have read them all and put them through a trail run.

Forget the Arms

One of the first things that you need to think about when it comes to your golf swing is that your arms are not that important in the golf swing. In fact, to help hit the ball more accurately you want to do everything that you can to avoid thinking about your arms when you first start your golf swing because you will be less likely to bend your elbows as you swing. However, you do want to cock your wrists at a 90-degree angle when your left arm is parallel to the ground.

Don’t Resist Nature

Something else that you can do to improve your golf swing is to allow your left arm to roll clockwise little bit when you are first beginning your back swing. One of the best things about this is it isn’t something that you have to think about doing, you can simply allow it to happen by not thinking about it, just make sure you don’t try to resist the natural movement of your arms during the back swing.

Plant Your Feet

In terms of your feet, you want to make sure that both of your feet are planted firmly on the ground during your entire swing. All too often what happens is that people allow their front heels to come off the ground during the golf swing, which can cause more problems than it’s worth with your golf swing. If you keep your feet firmly planted on the ground during your golf swing, your body will have just the right amount of tension for the golf swing, plus keeping your feet on the ground helps to anchor your swing.

Target with Your Hips

You also want to remember that the golf down swing starts at the bottom. No matter how much work you put into doing everything else right, including your golf grip, stance, and backswing, you can still ruin your shot by starting your golf down swing with your shoulders. What you want to do for the golf down swing is to turn your hips towards the target; you want to do this as hard and as fast as you can. Doing this will allow your drives to be longer, but they will also become straighter.

By improving your golf swing, you will see improvement in your overall golf game in no time.

For even more tips, sign up on the right for your free golf swing tips book!

Have you own tip?? Share it in the comments.

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photo by: emersunn

If you are going to be taking your kid golfing with you are going to want to either buy them their own golf clubs or you will want to rent some kids golf clubs. Most parents prefer renting the junior golf clubs because there is never any guarantee that their kids will like the game of golf. Another common thing that parents try to do is to take an old set of their own golf clubs and cut them down to size so they don’t have to spend the money on the golf clubs.

If you are tempted to try to save money by modifying your old golf clubs just keep in mind that this is one of the worst things that you could do. Sure, they would work, but they would not help your child learn the game of golf. No matter what age you are getting the correct swing is very important for the game of golf, learning the proper swing is also important in gaining and keeping an interest in the game.

Choosing the right size of clubs for your kids is just as important as choosing the right sized clubs for you because it affects how well you play the game. If you cut down your clubs because you are too cheap to rent clubs, you are handicapping your child from playing the game. One of the main reasons that you ruin their chances of playing golf is because you are getting rid of the clubs flex, without the flex of the golf club; your child would not be able to get the ball up into the air.

If you want to buy your child their own golf clubs the biggest problem you face is how fast they grow. Golf clubs are bought based on the height of a person, the taller your kid is the longer the clubs will have to be. Many parents find themselves having to buy their kids a new set of golf clubs each year because of how much the kids grow. One thing that you can do to help save on the expense of clubs is to purchase amateur junior sets for kids; you can usually find a full set for under $100. Something else that you can do in addition to buying the amateur junior set for your kids is to buy the clubs about an inch longer than what you need, but no more than that because it will affect their ability to play correctly.

Choosing the right grip is just as important as choosing the right clubs for your kids. If your kid’s hands cannot grasp the golf club, they will not be able to swing the golf club correctly nor will they be able to swing the club as hard. Have your kid try out a few different grips to find the ones that they like best and what fits the best.

Finally make sure that the club isn’t going to be too heavy for your child. You want them to be able to swing the club without straining themselves.

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Photo by Aidan Wojtas

One of the worst things that you can do when just starting the game of golf is to go out and buy a brand new set of golf clubs. One reason you want to avoid doing that is the expense, golf clubs are not cheap, and if you decide later on that, you do not like the game you are going to be out all of the money that you spent on the golf clubs. The other reason why you don’t want to buy a set of brand new golf clubs is that you don’t know what type of golf clubs will work best for you yet; you want to be able to try out the different brands to see which clubs fit your style better.

If you have decided that you enjoy golf and want to have your own set of clubs, the first thing that you will want to do is to try out all of the clubs that you can. You can often rent clubs at the local golf course, which will give you a basic idea. You can also ask friends or family members who golf with you if you can try their clubs to see how they feel. After you have found the right brand of club, you will want to start looking at the used golf clubs in that brand.

One thing that you will want to do is actually test out the golf clubs, not necessarily on the golf course, but pick them up and swing them to get the general feel of the golf club. If you don’t like the way it swings you need to move on. Just remember that if the grips are falling apart or you don’t like them you can always replace the grips after you buy the clubs.

You will want to look at the golf clubs carefully to ensure that the club head is made from stainless steel, not the cheap alloy heads. You will also want to find the right type of head for your golf level. If you are a beginning golfer go with a bigger club head because they are more forgiving, you can get the best distance even if you strike the ball off center. The more advanced players can get the smaller heads because they have gotten better at their shot and have figured out their ‘sweet spot.’

The type of shaft the golf club has is also important and again based on level and preference. Graphite shafts are more expensive than steel shafts, but they are great for beginners or people who prefer a lighter weight club. Even with an oversized club head, you can swing the graphite-shafted golf clubs faster than you would be able to swing a steel one.

If you already have clubs, you can also take advantage of trading in those clubs for a better used model. Callaway has a preowned golf clubs Trade In, Trade Up program program that may be just what you need.

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Golf, like many other sports, uses terms that are all their own. A golf dictionary might help but not for the slang thrown around. The slang golf terms are usually regular words that have a completely different meaning in the game of golf. Here are some of the most common slang golf terms that you might come across during a round of golf.

photo by erica.hargreave

Hangman - this term means that you have scored a 9 on a particular hole in golf. It comes from the resemblance that some people see between the hangman’s pole and the number 9.

Bo Derek - this term was created from the movie 10 with Bo Derek, but instead of referring to being somebody’s desire the term refers to a score of 10 on any hole in golf, which nobody wants.

Kitty Litter - means sand bunker. You will also hear golfers referring to the sand bunker as a bunker, beach, cat box, or even sand trap. It has gotten these names because the sand inside the bunker resembles kitty litter.

Fourball Alliance - this is simply the name of a golf tournament format, mostly used in South Africa. In the United States, it can be referred to as 1-2-3 best ball or money ball. The score on each hole a set number of the team member’s score is combined on each hole for one team score.

Air Mail – this term refers to the fact that you hit the ball too far when you were aiming for a specific spot. It can also refer to the fact that you overshot the green.

Dawn Patrol – this term refers to any golfer player or group of players who try to play as early as possible in the morning, they get to the golf course as soon as they open and are the first ones on the course. Dew Sweepers also means the same thing.

Goat Track – A goat track is used to talk about a golf course that is in really poor condition, you can also hear the term dog track used along the same lines.

Fried Egg – this term is used to describe a golf ball that has been hit into the sand bunker, but the ball has settled into the sand giving it the appearance of a fried egg. It resembles a fried egg because of the pattern that is left in the sand and only the top half of the ball is showing, similar to the yolk of an egg.

Rainmaker - this is used to describe a shot that has a very high trajectory. A great example of this kind of shot would be a lob wedge, but it can also happen accidentally.

Duck Hook - this is simply a different term for a snap hook, which is a very severe form of a hook. With a snap hook the ball immediately begins to curve from right to left, the ball then dips to the ground and runs off to the person’s hook side.

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photo by earmuffboy

For amateur golfers, having an “open” tournament is a great opportunity to break into the world of professional golf.  But the U.S. Open isn’t the only open tournament – there’s also the British Open for the golfers “across the pond”.  Open tournaments were designed to allow amateur golfers to perhaps break into the pro pool by winning one of these contests.

Many people think that the U.S. Open was the first open championship to be founded, but that just isn’t true.  The British Open was being played 35 years before the United States got in on the open tournament phenomenon.  Since the turn of the century, the British Open has included amateurs from all countries.  The U.S. Open is currently trying to make a move towards this trend, but for years, The British Open has been known as “The World Open”.

Originally designed as a way for unknown golfers to make a name for themselves, the “opens” have long been touted as the greatest chance an amateur has for worldwide fame and fortune as a professional golfer.  The British Open was the first tournament to bring forth this amazing idea, and golfers all over the world became excited at the prospect of becoming a pro.

The British Open is one of the four major golf tournaments of the year and winning it is a great honor.  Just as with the U.S. Open, it is one of the championships that tournament professionals strive to achieve and wear the honor with pride.  However, amateurs should beware.  Because the British Open is an open event, the pros can play too.

The last time an amateur won a British Open was back in 1930 when American legend Bobby Jones won with an overall score of 291.  Since that time, there have been many amateurs who have made good showings, but as far as winning the open, that hasn’t happened in quite some time.

To qualify for the British Open, you must strive for one of the 156 places that are available.  Most of the field of players has achieved entry into the open through exemptions by playing well throughout the year on the tour.  The rest of the field has won qualifying rounds in local events that lead them to the “big show” and perhaps the chance of the lifetime!

The British Open – just like the U.S. Open – is a wonderful way for excellent amateur golfers to break into the professional circuit by doing what they love – playing the game of golf.  The British Open has a long and storied history and while considered one of the major events in the PGA, still holds a bit of mystery and hope for those who dream of a life as a PGA professional.

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photo by Nadia308

Driving ranges are instrumental in helping you improve your game, and you should use them as much as you possibly can.  Even though it’s called a driving range, you can practice all of your golf shots on the range.  By taking advantage of this valuable tool offered by your golf course, you are sure to improve your game.

In the game of golf, it’s essential to know how far you are able to hit your clubs on a consistent basis.  By taking advantage of the golf driving range, you will get a great idea of how far your driver can go as well as your 9 iron.  Once you know how far you can hit your clubs, you will be able to practice some great course management skills when you are out on the course.

Start out with a bucket of balls and your driver.  Try out various stances and see which ones help you drive the ball farther.  Hit a lot of balls and pay close attention to what works and what doesn’t.  When you find a shot you are pleased with, hit several more balls using that same technique to see if it was just a fluke or if you can replicate it over and over again.

Then you should move to your fairway woods or your irons.  Practice the same technique with these clubs.  You may have to buy another bucket – or bag on some courses – of balls, but believe me, it will be well worth the money when you are able to effectively know what clubs will give you the yardage you need and want.

Many golf courses have lighted driving ranges, so even if you can’t play the course, you can still work on your swing in the evening hours.  Many people find that having a lighted driving range can help them work on their swing at inconvenient hours when daylight has left but they still feel the desire to swing a club.

One point you need to keep in mind when on the golf driving range is that you are playing in perfect conditions.  There are no hills, there are no hazards, and you are concentrating to the best of your ability.  Just because you can hit a 300 yard drive on the range doesn’t necessarily mean you can do the same on the course.

However, you can certainly learn a lot about your golf game when you are on the driving range.  Don’t pass up the chance to practice as much as you can.  Practicing is best done on the golf driving range, so buy a bucket of balls and whack away.  You never know what you’ll find out!

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photo credit: Yoav Lerman

Casual golfers don’t give a lot of thought to choosing the right golf ball. They think of the golf ball as simply a tool that really isn’t important. After all, you’re just whacking it around the course, right? Wrong! Having the right golf ball can gain you distance in your drives, make it easier to pull off finesse shots, and so much more!

Ball Types

Basically, there are three types of balls: balata, two-piece, or a combination of both. Golf balls are constructed with three types of purposes in mind as well: distance, spin, and control. Choosing an appropriate golf ball really depends on what you are looking for in your golf game.

Are you a low handicap player looking for great spin and control? If so, choose a balata golf ball. This is just a softer ball that has a softer cover and allows for more spin. This is the ball that most professionals choose. They are also more expensive than other balls.

Perhaps you have a higher handicap and are looking for more distance and durability. This is where a good two-piece ball will be best. This golf ball has a harder cover which creates less backspin allowing you to hit it further.

Some golf balls are designed for slower swing speeds with a lightweight construction that catches air. They are generally marketed for women or seniors, but plenty of men will play these balls because it gets them extra distance.

Weather, Course Conditions and Golf Balls

Believe it or not the weather you are playing in can make a difference in which golf ball you use. Course conditions can also dictate golf ball choice. Let’s say the course has been deluged with rain. In this case, you will need a ball that will travel father and produces less spin. If you are playing on a rock hard, sun-scorched track, choose something softer that will land soft and spin.

Look at the temperature as well. Balls for men come in two compressions – 90 and 100. When you hit the ball, the ball compresses. Therefore the 90 compression ball will be softer than the 100. If it’s cold, the ball will not compress as much so you will want to play a 90 compression golf ball. If it’s hot out, you will want to opt for the 100 compression.

In general, two piece balls are going to give you more distance and they will be more durable so they will last longer. Solid core golf balls will offer less trajectory and can spin for better accuracy. Even the dimples on the ball can have an effect on your game. Smaller dimples lessen trajectory while larger dimples increase it.

Choosing the right golf ball really is important to playing a good game. There are many, many choices on the market. Explore which golf ball you may want to use and then try it out. Experiment and in time, you’ll find exactly the right golf ball for you.

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