Mental, Physical, Nutritional, and Biomechanical Preparation for Your Golf Game

Golf is a game requiring mastery in a variety of areas for success. Breaking down the game of golf into categories. Success and development within is required in the areas of mechanics, physical, nutritional, and mental. Mechanics is the development of the proper biomechanics of the golf swing. Physical entails developing the body around the golf swing. Nutrition incorporates fueling the body for proper success on the golf course. Mental is the development of the correct mind set to excel at the game of golf.

Each and every one of these categories has a direct affect on the development of your golf game. Often the golfer tends to focus only upon the development of the golf swing through mastery of biomechanics of the golf swing. Developing the biomechanics of the golf swing requires you to correctly master each phase of the golf swing. Often the golf swing is broken down into phases. These phases are address, backswing, transition, downswing, and follow through. Not only is it required of the amateur to master each movement entailed in the phases of the golf swing. It is also necessary to perform each specific movement with the correct timing. Finally, the discussion of the biomechanics requires you to create efficiency and repeatability within the golf swing. After recognizing all the intricacies involved in the development of efficient golf swing mechanics. It is understandable why golfers spend an in ornate amount of this part of developing their golf game.

What golfers at times fail to recognize that additional categories exist requiring development to create the optimal golf swing. If ignored these aspects can negatively affect the development of the golf swing and golf game. The next category requiring development within the golfer is categorized as physical. Physical refers to the development of the body around the golf swing. Often times the body is a hindrance in the development of the biomechanics of the golf swing. The golf swing requires certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power within the body to execute the golf swing correctly. If the body is lacking in any one of these physical categories, the ability to perform the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly will be hindered. The end result is the possible inability to master the biomechanics of the golf swing. The common result is the development of compensations in the golf swing. For example, the golf swing requires a high level of flexibility to complete a full shoulder turn. If the golfer is lacking flexibility, the ability to complete a full shoulder turn will be compromised, thus causing compensations in the golf swing.

Each and every physical component has a direct effect on the execution of the golf swing. Compensations can easily occur if these physical aspects are not developed around the golf swing. In addition to developing these physical aspects of the body, it is of equal importance to develop these parameters around the biomechanics of the golf swing. This type of training is termed cross-specific training. Cross-specific training can be defined as the developing the physical parameters of the body to the positions, movement, and requirements of the golf swing. This simply states the components of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power must be developed around the requirements of the golf swing.

After understanding the physical component of golf swing development. The golfer must understand two additional categories directly affecting the game of golf. The next category the golfer must understand and develop is nutrition. Nutrition is a fairly basic component to understand in relation to golf or any other athletic endeavor. Essentially, nutrition is the process by which one fuels their body for their sport. Basically if poor nutrients are given to the body during athletic endeavors, outputs on the field of competition (i.e. golf course for golfers) will be less than optimal. Nutrition in relation to athletes is not solely concerned about weight loss, but more so on providing the body with the nutrients required for success on and off the course. Weight loss and good health go hand-in-hand with proper nutrition, but with athletes the number one concern is properly fueling the body for success in their chosen sport. Nutrition in golf and athletics in general are required for success during competition and development of the athlete in their chosen sport.

For example, nutrition fuels the body in the development of it physically. In order to develop higher levels of strength and power within the golfer, proper nutrition will undoubtedly increase the success within this category. If the body is provided proper nutrients, the ability of it to develop the physical requirements needed of the golf swing will occur at a much more optimal process.

The final category lending itself to develop of one's golf game is mental. Often referred to as a key element of success within the game of golf. Numerous materials exist on the development of the mind within golf. It is often a category that is address once a proficiency in the area of golf swing mechanics has materialized, but at times is overlooked by many amateurs within the game. A grasping of the basic concepts of positive mental outlook, visualization, and preparation can improve a golfer's success rate on course a great deal. As with all other categories requiring development for the game of golf, the mental side of game is in need of attention.

Development of a golfer's swing and game consists of much more than the golf swing itself. It requires efficiency within the biomechanics of the golf swing. Inside these biomechanics of the golf are ingraining the correct sequence of the golf swing and the timing required. Developing the biomechanics of the golf swing can hinge upon physical components of the body. Certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power are required to execute the golf swing correctly. On top of developing the body for the golf swing proper nutrition is required. Nutrition fuels the body during a round of golf and assists in the process of developing a well rounded golf game. Finally, the correct mental approach is required for success within this game of golf. The mental side of the game requires just as much attention as the other components in the development of your game of golf. All in all a comprehensive approach in the development of your golf game is required for optimal success in the game of golf. This entails time and effort in the areas of: golf swing biomechanics, developing the flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power required physically of the golf swing, properly fueling the body with optimal nutrition, and development of a sound mental approach to the game of golf.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters, 2005 PGA, and 2006 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

Develop the Correct Golf Swing for Women with Golf Fitness Training

The woman golfer has a myriad of questions on how to develop the correct golf swing as does most any amateur. The questions from woman golfers center on a myriad of topics such as; how to hit the golf ball farther, how to develop a more repeatable golf swing, how do I hit half shots with my wedges, what are good putting drills? The list can go on and on in relation to the woman golfer and how to improve their golf swing. An area that is now presenting more and more questions from the woman golfer centers upon golf fitness. Questions such as; what are good golf flexibility exercises, and how can golf fitness exercises help me drive the golf farther? These and many more questions are arising in relation to golf fitness and the woman golfer.

It is well known on the LPGA tour the number of players utilizing golf fitness programs to improve their golf game. Annika Sorrenstam has publicly stated the benefits she has received in her golf game from golf fitness training. One area that always appears to be a concern for the woman golfer is distance. How to hit the golf ball farther and Sorrenstam does hit the ball a long way, and utilizes golf fitness training. A simple connection can be drawn between increased driving distance, women golfers, and golf fitness exercises. The bottom line is this; golf fitness exercises can benefit the distance of drives for the woman golfer.

The questions that need to be answered are how and why. First off an understanding of increased distance, the golf swing, and the woman golfer needs to be addressed. Driving distance is contingent upon clubhead speed. The faster the clubhead is traveling at impact with the golf ball. The golf ball will travel farther, an easily understood concept.

Clubhead speed in the golf swing is contingent upon two components. Component number one is golf swing mechanics. The biomechanics of the golf swing in and of themselves create clubhead speed. It centers upon physics and the coiling/uncoiling of the body during the golf swing. In relation to improving clubhead speed and golf swing mechanics. The more efficient the woman golfer performs the mechanics of the golf swing. A greater amount of energy can be developed and transferred into the golf ball as a result. First and foremost for the woman golfer; the development of efficient golf swing mechanics can improve driving distance.

The second component of increasing clubhead speed is the body. Remember, the body is the implement swinging the golf club. It is the woman's body executing the biomechanics of the golf swing. In addition it is also the body generating power for the golf swing. Power is the ability of the body to generate the greatest amount of force in a short amount of time. Increase the ability of the body to generate more power within the biomechanics of the golf swing. An increase in clubhead speed can occur. How does the woman golfer increase power outputs of their body? This is where the implementation of golf fitness exercises can be a benefit. Golf fitness exercises can increase the power outputs of the body. Power golf fitness exercises increase the ability of your muscles to develop more force within the golf swing.

How do golf fitness exercise achieve this outcome? Golf fitness exercises develop the body around the golf swing: Very different than ordinary fitness training or aerobic classes. Golf fitness exercises develop the required flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power within the body for the golf swing. This allows the body to execute the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. In addition, golf fitness exercises can improve the swing in areas such as clubhead speed.

This is accomplished with golf fitness exercises training the body in the positions, movements, and physical requirements of the golf swing. This allows for the proper levels of flexibility, balance, endurance, strength, and power to be developed within the body. Improving the capacities of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power can improve the ability of the body to perform the golf swing and increase distance.

To summarize, the questions surrounding women and developing the correct golf swing are many. How to improve the golf swing through golf fitness exercises is one of these questions, and one specific area within this topic is distance. Increasing distance is contingent upon increasing clubhead speed. Improving clubhead speed centers upon golf swing mechanics and the body. Improving the efficiency of the golf swing mechanics will allow a greater transfer of energy into the golf club, thus improving clubhead speed. The second component of distance lies within the body and its ability to generate power. Increasing the power outputs of the body will enhance clubhead speed. Power outputs of the body can be improved through golf fitness exercises. These exercises differ than normal gym based exercises in that they develop the body around the swing. This allows for the proper levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to be developed within the golf swing.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters, 2005 PGA, and 2006 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

The Golf Digest

As far as golf magazine in circulation goes, Golf Digest remains the most widely read monthly golf magazine. Made available in print by an American media company Advance Publications, this monthly digest concerns itself on golf topics in general flavor. While Advance Publications do circulate specialized golf digests like Golf for Women, Golf World, and Golf Business, Golf Digest remains their flagship when it comes to the golf arena.

Golf Digest is perhaps better known for its rankings of "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" that featured the best golf course to be found worldwide. It was a colossal idea, as one researcher stated, since it promotes those major sponsorships and arrangements at the same time made Golf Digest readily feasible to the reading public if only the information for the best golf course was the collective interest.

Either case, Golf Digest's rankings of "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" proved to be very successful. So successful was it that ultimately, Golf Digest's biennial rankings are regarded as an actual basis rate as far as every golf course go since its inception at 1985. The Golf Digest's ratings are considered legitimate too, since the entries are voted on by a board of several distinguished golf experts. The most successful qualifier is the Pine Valley Golf Club, who topped the list every time except on the 2001 ranking.

Golf Digest also produces lists of the best new courses, the best golf resorts, and the best golf course in each state.

Golf Digest Magazine offers tips and secrets in golf equipment, starter instructions an techniques explained in articles and even an instructional video, news and top stories about the present and recent tours, feature articles on just about anything but regarding golf, travel suggestions towards the best golf courses, and of course -Tiger Woods. Golf Digest can also be accessed by web http://www.golfdigest.com, where online golfing content are available for browsing.

Golf Digest became a branded circulation because it covers comprehensive issues about golf. A few other golf magazines feature comprehensive critiques, commentary, issues, reports, rumors, and stories about golf, all mixed in a flavorful manner. Golf Digest subscription is offered at $14.97 and the first time customer receives two risk free trial issues along with two free tips booklets. If you are interested, call 800-727-4653 which is toll free in the US and Canada.

For those who want to interested, here's the top 10 of the 100 Greatest Golf Courses for the 2005 - 2006 list.

1. Pine Valley Golf Club of New Jersey

2. Augusta National Golf Club of Georgia

3. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club of New York

4. Cypress Point Club of California

5. Oakmont Country Club of Pennsylvania

6. Pebble Beach Golf Links of California

7. Merion Golf Club of Pennsylvania

8. Winged Foot Golf Club of New York

9. National Golf Links of America of New York

10. Seminole Golf Club of Florida

Milos Pesic is an avid golfer and owner of the most comprehensive Golf Information Pages. Visit now to find out all you wanted to know about golf, golf equipment, tips, resorts and much more.

Top 25 Golf Vacations

The United States has a number of golf vacations which would enchant all golf lovers. If you are familiar with golf then you know that golf courses fall under four categories: Private, Resort, Semi-private and Public. Here are the top 25 golf vacations:

1. Myrtle Beach

This location is referred to as the Miniature Golf Course Capitol of the world. There are about sixty accommodations, eighty-five golf courses and four golf schools in Myrtle Beach. This is one perfect place for a golf vacation for all the golf lovers. There are two alternatives for accommodation: rent a condo or check in to a hotel. One hotel that I would recommend is the Holiday Inn as it has a lovely beach front view. It has five pools and you may also get free continental breakfast. Majority of the people in the country come to this location to relax and play golf.

2. Palm Beach

Palm Beach is one of the locations that have first class golf courses like the TPC at Heron Bay and PGA National Courses. This is the location that is not only famous for golf courses but also shopping and lovely beaches. The West Palm Beach resort is the place to stay when you are in Palm Beach. The Breakers West Palm Beach golf course is well-known golf course in Palm Beach. Palm Beach is a home to an excellent art museum, Professional Golfers Associations and excellent Japanese garden.

3. Tucson

Tucson is the 32nd largest city that is located in Arizona. Tucson is the right place for you to spend your golf vacation because it has bright sunshine and excellent golf. Playing golf in Tucson would be different because it would be a play in a desert. Some good resorts are JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Omni Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa, the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa, etc. Of course the most expensive of all would be the Cany Ranch Resort.

4. Traverse City

The Traverse City golf is located amidst the hill, water and woods. It is one great place to play golf. Traverse City is where many people head to when they are looking for a golf vacation as well as a place to relax. Park Place Hotel is a good place to stay when you are in Traverse City. Some excellent golf courses here are Antrim Dells Golf, High Pointe Golf Club, etc.

5. Scottsdale

There is huge number of golf courses in Arizona. Scottsdale in Arizona is one perfect place for golf vacation. It has lovely blue sky, light and mild breeze that makes Scottsdale a perfect place to play golf. Private as well as public courses are scattered around Scottsdale. Some hotels which you can check out are the Hilton Scottsdale Arizona Hotel, Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, etc.

6. San Diego

San Diego is truly one golf vacation which you should not miss. It has fifty private, fifty semi-private courses and more than fifty public courses to its name. This place is perfect for playing golf but it is not limited to golf courses only. There are other places to check out like the Seaworld, San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. There's even a beach close by and that is the Mission Beach. The hotels you can stay at are Hilton Hotel, Park Manor Suites, etc. It is one great place to go to when vacationing with your grandchildren.

7. Saint George

The location near Las Vegas has 11 golf courses which are near to one another. Saint George has bright sunlight, blue sky and colorful settings which makes this town a perfect place for golfing. It only has one private golf course but a number of golf courses in this town have been granted esteemed awards. Crystal Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Courtyard by Marriot is few hotels which you can stay at while in this town.

8. Renditions in Davidsonville

The Renditions in Davidsonville is a very well-known Golf course because of the eighteen holes there which are the exact copy of a golf course where quite a few important championships have been held. It started in the end of the year 2001 as a public golf course. Davidsonville may only have one golf course but visiting this place is worth it. Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Springhill Suites are few hotels which you can check in to when in Davidsonville.

9. Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen

These are the small towns that have more than forty well-known and classy golf courses. They have a perfect setting for playing golf as the sky is blue and the surrounding is colorful with a lot of greenery. This location has been renowned as a first class golf course location. The courses here are public as well as private. Some courses are part of the resorts. Whispering woods, Anderson creek, and Legacy are few well-known courses. You can stay at the Residence Inn by Marriot when you are in the area.

10. Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach in California is a place where tournament action first took place in the late 1920s. A huge number of tournaments have taken place in the golf course of Pebble Beach. The US Open has taken place in this location four times. The 18th Hole of Pebble Beach is very popular among the Golfers. Places where you can stay are The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay, etc.

11. Palm Springs

You will find more than a hundred golf courses at Coachella Valley in Palm Springs. This location has spectacular desert landscape, low humidity and plenty of sunshine. Few well-known golf courses in Palm Springs consist of Westin Mission Hills, Tahquitz Creek, Shadow Mountain, Marriot Desert Springs, LaQuinta Resort, Landmark, Golf center at Palm Desert Cathedral Canyon, etc. L'Horizon, Villa Royale Inn, Hyatt Regency Suites are some of the hotels where you can put up your family and yourself in when you are at Palm Springs.

12. Orlando

Orlando in Florida is considered as the Golf Capital of the World. There are excellent golf courses on the suburbs of Orlando Metro region. It has approximate a hundred and fifty golf courses. This location has more to it than just golf courses. There are Seaworld, Disney World, Universal Studios, EPCOT and MGM Studios in Orlando. Some popular examples are North Shore, Mission, ChampionsGate, etc. The hotels where you can stay at are Marriot Orlando, Westin grand Bohemian, etc. So this is one perfect place to go to with your family.

13. Maui

Maui, an island in Hawaii is home to United States' finest golf courses. Usually the climate there is very good but sometimes the wind blows a little hard. If you are tired from playing golf then you can relax or take a swim in the beaches in Maui. After all, Hawaii is well known for its beaches. Maui Seaside Hotel, Sunseeker Resort, etc, are places to stay at when in Maui.

14. Las Vegas

We all know Las Vegas to be a city of entertainment and gambling but not everyone knows that it is also a great place to be to play golf. There are number of courses in the city as well as on its suburbs. Most of the courses are resort or public. So a golf vacation in Las Vegas can get you all the fun that one can get as you can have lots of entertainment when in this city. Few hotels that you can book yourself in are Marriott Suites, Venetian Hotel Resort, The Mirage, etc.

15. Kiawah Island

It has been said that Kiawah Island holds some of the best golf courses in the United States. You can try out tennis, beaches, bike trails, etc when you are tired of playing golf. When in Kiawah Island, check out the designs of five contemporary golf course designers. Holiday Inn, The Sanctuary, Kiawah Island Golf and Tennis Resort are few places where you can think of staying when in Kiawah Island.

16. Hilton Head

Hilton Head is an Island where many families go to for their vacations. It has forty golf courses and as such, you can spend your golf vacation hoping from one golf course to another. Choose from various kinds of resorts ranging from private to public, to semi-private to resort-type courses. The Beaches in Hilton Head are also very clean and safe so when you are done with golfing you can always go to the beaches. Hilton Oceanfront resort is one great place to stay at.

17. Destin

The Jewel of the Emerald Coast is the name that is given to Destin because it has water that is emerald blue in colors and lovely white sandy beaches. It was once a tiny fishing village but now it has become a well-known destination for golf, tennis and beaches. There are four excellent golf courses in the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and they are The Raven, The Links, Burnt Pine and Baytowne. You can consider staying at Days Inn or Emerald towers.

18. Dallas- Fort Worth

Here you will find golf courses that are private, semi-private and public. It is a place where you can expect finest golf courses. Apart from golf courses there are public parks and lakes, museums and different other types of entertainment. You can stay at the Crowne Plaza Suites Arlington.

19. Columbus in Ohio

There are more that 80 public golf courses and 35 private courses in Columbus. According to the Golf Digest in the year 1993, EagleSticks Championship 18 holes course was the top public golf course in Ohio. When in Columbus you can stay at Hyatt Regency, Crowne Plaza Hotel or Hampton Inn and Suites.

20. Colorado Springs

Apart from the Seven Falls, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Garden of Gods, Colorado Springs is also famous for its golf courses. It does not have many golf courses but still, it's the quality that counts and not the quantity. The scenery in Colorado Springs is excellent and the beauty is there is natural and not artificial. You can stay at The Broadmoor Hotel or Sheraton Colorado Springs Hotel.

21. Coeur d'Alene

It is a town which is considered as the promising location for golf courses. Accommodation at any of the four well-known and excellent resorts would be worth it: Coeur d'Alene Resort, Stoneridge in Blanchard, Hidden Lakes in Sandpoint and Highlands in neighboring Post Falls. The magnificent Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course has been built near the lake, creek and hills. There are lovely lowers, fairways and greenery here. It is one great place to relax too.

22. Chicago Suburbs

On the suburbs of Chicago there are more than a hundred and ten golf courses. There are also a huge number of championship courses that have 36 or more holes. After playing golf there are other forms of entertainment as the city of Chicago has a huge number of entertainments. The Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites or Hilton Garden Inn are places to stay in if you happen to be on a golf vacation in Chicago.

23. Austin

Apart from being the Live Music Capital of the world, Austin is also one great place to go for a golf vacation. You will find four excellent award winning courses in Austin at the Bartin Creek Golf Resort. These courses are the traditional Crenshar Cliffside, the lovely Palmer lakeside, the latest Fazio Canyons and the high-ranking Fazio Foothills. As for the accommodation, you can stay at Omni Hotel, the Driskill Hotel or the Intercontinental Stephen F Austin Hotel.

24. Augusta

This is one town that will give golfers the feel of pro golf legends and pro golf. Here there are public as well as private golf courses. You can stay at the Marriot Augusta Hotel, Ramada inn and Convention Center or Country Inn and Suites.

25. Atlanta

You will find a huge number of excellent golf courses in Atlanta. Apart from golf there are water parks, theme parks and various historical places.

Swati Banerjee is the owner of Writing Ink, a web content management firm based out of India, that services clients from across the globe. Please take a minute to visit http://www.writing-ink.com to experience how the bright young minds here make magic with words!

Golf Gifts and Golf Grip Kits

Gifts, as is known are matter of expressing intimacy and are exchanged without price. Golf gifts are no exception. Being a golfer when you think of gifting something to anyone the first thing which will come to your mind will surely be the golf gift. Usually golf gifts are given to potential young golfers to encourage them to play more and more golf.

You have to choose perfect golf gifts for these young beginners considering their style. You have plenty of golf articles and accessories to choose from. To name some of golf gifts they are golf clubs, golf irons, golf bags, golf knickers, classic ball case etc. IN the succeeding paragraphs we will elaborate on importance of each golf gift.

In my opinion golf books are the best golf gifts for beginners. A beginner learns lot of things about game and adds to his/her knowledge of the game by reading golf books

Next come golf lessons. These lessons help potential beginners to decide whether he/she really wants to take the game or he/she likes the golf or not. Golf lessons, golf books and CDs/DVDs are excellent golf gifts for beginners.

Many beginners start playing golf with hired or borrowed golf clubs. Usually, golf clubs are considered as matter of personal choice. However, one may not be willing to purchase expensive golf clubs at the beginning. For such people first set of golf club is considered as best gift amongst other golf gifts. Remember to present these golf clubs in a golf bag.

There are number of golf accessories available in markets which as categorized as golf gifts. Golf gloves, ball markers and tees, though some what expensive, are nice golf gifts. Depending to you affordability and intimacy to the person you are going to present golf gifts you may like to present a full set of golf starter kit to a potential beginner.

Golf balls are also the popular articles for presenting as golf gifts. Beginners are not concerned about the type, compression and construction of these golf balls. You can choose golf balls personalizing with nickname, name or customs logo of the beginner. Only disadvantage of gifting such golf balls is that if the ball is lost the person to whom you have gifted it may get upset.

Golf shoes are other option from the golf gifts. Golf shoes are basic requirement for playing golf. Choosing a right shoe that will be fitting and providing comfort to the person you are gifting is not an easy task. Remember you have alternate option of gift certificate. Instead of presenting golf shoes as golf gifts, present a gift certificate and allow him/her to purchase shoes of his/her choice.

Golf courses are considered to be one of the expensive ventures of sports due to their fees structure. To avoid such expensive venture, driving ranges are considered to be best alternative. Presenting a membership of driving range may be the best among golf gifts for a beginner.

Ball tokens, golf gift certificates and 10 bucket pass are the other golf gifts available. Golf gifts are considered to be a motivating factor for beginners.

Golf Grip kits are a common phenomenon amongst golfers. Golfers are always choosy about their golf grip kits. Golf grip kits consist of tape, instruction book and a CD or DVD containing photos about use of golf equipments. Usually, golf grip kits are provided with golf irons and golf grips. Golf grip kits provide you all information like specification, maintenance guide and instruction about the handling of the equipment. Golf grip kits are of utmost importance for the beginners are they get the required information of golf equipments through these golf grip kits.

Golf Gifts and Golf Grip Kits

Golf Course Guide For Costa Del Sol, Spain

The Costa del sol golf course guide is a "rough guide" and is purely the personal opinion of the author. Please take in to consideration that these comments are subjective, personal opinions and standards of golf differ. Please take this rough guide as exactly that, an honest, personal opinion from a fellow golf addict.

Alcaidesa Links Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Alcaidesa golf course is a 18 hole, par 70 golf course.

Address: Ctra de Cadiz (N340), Km 124.6, La Linea, Cadiz. Tel: +34 956 791 040.

This is a beautiful and tricky golf course for every standard of golfer from 28 handicap to scratch. Allis and Clark have made and admirable attempt to create a rare links course on the Costa. Stunning views across the bay to Gibraltar and hilly terrain make it a delight to play. Take plenty of balls, as the fairways are tight and unforgiving surrounded by gorse and ravines.

A buggy is needed - even for the fittest amongst us- and as you play consider taking an extra club up on par threes because of deceptive wind.

Alhaurin Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain.

Alhaurin golf course is a 18+18+9, par 72 golf course which was designed by Severiano Ballesteros.

Address: Ctra Mijas-Alhaurin, (MA485) Km6, Alhaurin el Grande. Tel: +34 95 259 5970.

Tight beyond belief, difficult beyond anything I have every seen before.

The first hole is extremely difficult with a narrow fairway and rocks to the sides of the fairway, which send your ball bouncing high in to the sky, never to be seen again. As you progress the course gets tougher and if you are not really on top of your game you could easily become more and more disheartened as you progress around the course. I stopped counting shots after I lost my tenth golf ball! By the 18th I had suffered several episodes of golf rage and was close to a nervous breakdown.

I've read course guides say that this course "compels golfers to concentrate on their game and choose with care which club they should use for every stroke." Personally I would say this course is one of the toughest golf course on the Costa del Sol. This course is at best described as a challenge for an experienced player who is on top form, at worst its tight and downright cruel.

Alhaurin golf course is generally cheaper to play than most other local golf courses.

A buggy is essential as is an ample supply of golf balls.

Cabopino Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Cabopino golf course is a 18 hole par 71 golf course.

It's a relatively new course but it has matured very quickly and is very well maintained. The marshal's are friendly and very welcoming.

There is a driving range on the approach road to the course, so if you arrive early you can loosen up your swing. Alternatively you could take the approach Andy and I prefer, loosen up with a San Miguel at the bar before you tee off.

Cabopino golf has a pleasant clubhouse, with a pleasant sun terrace where you can sit, eat, drink and enjoy the views of the ocean. The staff in the bar and restaurant are friendly staff and they serve good quality food.

The short at only course is only 5,170 meters long but it's has tight fairways and is challenging.

The greens are large and were of fantastic quality when we last visited. The third hole is the one most people enjoy the most and it's not one you will forget, it's a par 4 which drops dramatically from the tee to the green and has outstanding views. A buggy is advisable on this course, which is hilly.

Dama de Noche Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Dama de Noche golf course is a 9 hole, Par 70 golf course.

Centro Commercial Plaza, Oficinas 51-52, 29660, Nueva Andalucia, Marbella.

Dama de Noche golf course is a nine-hole course, which can be played as 18 holes. It is flat, wide and easy. It is ideal course for a high handicapper or anyone wanting a gentle stroll.

All that changes a night though because the is course is flood lit and can be played at night.

They say that the lighting system is designed to cast no shadows thus giving daylight quality and maximum visibility, does that apply in the rough as well I ask myself?

You do have to make a reservation for night golf because they only put the lights on if there is sufficient demand but for total golfing addicts or insomniac this course offers considerable novelty value and it's one to talk about in the clubhouse when you go home.

El Chaparral Golf Course, near La Cala de Mijas, Costa del Sol, Spain.

El Chaparral golf course is an 18 hole, par 73 course.

Address: N340 / A7 Km 203.

El Chaparral is a club which closed several years ago for reasons that I don't need to go into now. The course has now risen from the ashes and is trying to build a reputation for itself. Purely for research purposes, I tested out the clubhouse both before and after my round at El Chaparral and I found the staff to be particularly welcoming and they really did their best to make us feel at home.

Even though El Chaparral is only a stones throw from the coast it has an English parkland course feel to it. The fairways are long and narrow and I found the course testing, I didn't have enough room to risk my driver off many tee's yet I needed the driver to get the distance I needed off the tee's to get any chance of reaching the green in regulation.

El Chaparral is extremely hilly and walking it is only for the bravest of golfers. Overall I would describe it as a very tricky course, bordering on frustrating, it tempted me to use the driver but punished me when I did!

The course is a little pricey for what you get. It was quiet when I played it but I've been back since and it is gaining in popularity.

Estepona Golf.

Carretera Cádiz, KM 150, Arroyo Vaquero, Apartado 532, 29680 Estepona.

18 hole, par 72 course.

The first time I played this course about nine years ago I was extremely disappointed. The fairways were worn, bare and baked, the greens were unkempt and the whole feel of the place was one of a lack of investment. Since then I have been tempted to re-visit by a friend who told me that improvements have been made yet the cost has been kept down. Well fair play, the cost has stayed relatively low and there has obviously been a lot of investment and as a result the course has improved considerably. It still needs some TLC but it is now playable. Still nowhere near the quality of Monte Mayor, La Cala or the like but it is perfect for a cheap round in between more serious games.

Flamingos Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Flamingos golf course is a 18-hole, par 72 course.

Address: Ctra de Cadiz Km 166, Marbella / Benhavis.

A relatively new course but the work that has gone into the course makes that incredible, it looks like its been established for years.

Clearly no expense has been spared when they built this course. Everything from the hotel toilets to the course itself is magnificent, lavish and downright opulent. A visit to Flamingos really is a treat (and before you ask I don't get a commission for writing this, I just tell it as I see it.)

Flamingos is worth a visit just to have a walk around the hotel, which has clearly been fashioned on the Alhambra Palace and its magnificent water gardens.

As for the golf course itself it is every bit as lavish as the hotel and clubhouse. As you meander around the course the views vary from a panoramic views of the Mediterranean to secluded views of the wild countryside. Around the course there is an incredible variety of trees, plants and vegetation, some native, some clearly imported so as to add to the experience.

Every now and them you stumble across an old (well they genuinely look old but they weren't there in 2005!) ruins or statues and every corner holds a new surprise, all of them pleasant.

The front nine holes have generous wide fairways where you really can open up your shoulders, a rarity for Spanish golf and the greens are ample too, so get the low score on the card in front nine if you can. As you negotiate the back nine the fairways tend to narrow down, especially the 18th which really focuses the mind but even so the back nine are not overly cruel. The fairways are narrower than the front nine but they tend to be shorter and you have loosened up, so even though you have to be a little more precise than on the front nine the golf is still enjoyable.

If you visit Flamingos make sure you take the time to explore the hotel after your round. It's well worth a look.

Over all I would describe Flamingos as a cracking course which tends to be a little on the pricey side but if you want to treat yourself you will not be disappointed. A Masters or Championship course of the future I will wager.

Lauro Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Lauro golf course is an 18 hole par 72 golf course.

Address:Ctra de Coin,(C344) Km 77, Los Caraclilos, Alhaurin de la Torre. Tel: +34 952 4127 67.

Beautiful parkland course surrounded by lots of Andalucian trees. It offers breathtaking views over the valley and Malaga bay. Nine lakes so there is something to think about but it is a relatively easy and relaxing course.

La Cala Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

La Cala has three golf courses, each of 18 holes, par's 72,73 and 71.

Address: La Cala de Mijas, Mijas Costa. Tel: +34 95 266 9000.

A personal favourite, all three courses are equally good. I highly recommend La Cala golf, not only because of the quality of the golf but also because of the quality of the clubhouse, facilities, surroundings and the reasonable pricing.

At La Cala golf there are three spectacular 18 hole courses, which are nestled in the countryside about 15-20 minutes drive in land from La Cala town.

La Cala golf is an enormous luxury golfing resort, which is perfect for golfers who want quality golf at a sensible price in an exclusive environment.

Set out like a Country Club in extremely large grounds it has an exclusive clubhouse and restaurant. It also has a separate five star hotel, where you will find an very exclusive restaurant.

All three courses have terrific obstacles & natural water hazards along with narrow fairways and large well-kept greens. Set amongst tranquil mountains, all three courses are long and sculptured into the natural contours of the countryside which means that you have think your way around La Cala golf and use the contours of the landscape to your advantage.

All three courses hilly and a buggy is a must. The South is my favourite, it's a little more forgiving than the North Course and the Europa.

Try the Leadbetter Golf Academy located at La Cala Golf, it's a little expensive and you will have to book in advance but the instructor's improved my game, so they must be good!

At the academy they also have an excellent grass driving range.

La Noria.

La Noria golf is a nine hole, par 33 course.

It is located at the beginning of the road from La Cala de Mijas which runs to La Cala Golf off the N340 or A7.

This 9 hole course has been a long time in the building and it is obviously eventually going to grow into a 18 holes course but that will probably take some time.

The club house is literally a bar come cafe but it is adequate and serves its purpose.

I am no fan of 9 hole courses but I have to say I enjoyed playing this course. It's relatively simple to negotiate and very easy to walk around. The fairways are wide and none of the holes were particularly long. There is water to cross and a few challenges as you negotiate the course and while it's no Carnoustie for what you pay its not at all bad.

It's not every day that you want to play challenging golf and if that's the case then La Noria is worth thinking about. This course is perfect for a high handicapper, a novice golfer or simply for a warm up for a more serious round later on in your holiday. As nine hole courses go this is one of the better ones and for the price its worth bearing in mind.

Los Naranjos golf course, Costa del sol, Spain.

A relatively flat and wide 18 hole course, something which is rare on the Costa del sol.

The best summary I can give of this course is to say it is wide and forgiving and it allows you to "go for it" when the opportunity arises yet there are enough challenges to keep you focused and maintain your interest.

In all honesty a buggy is not essential but if you do hire one the in built satnav is very hand, it even gives you a distance to the buggy in front of you, so there's no excuse for taking out the four ball ahead of you, never mind such is life!

We found the course to be well marshalled, nothing oppressive but they gave the slow golfers a hint when needed. The course staff were all very polite and helpful and we were made to feel very welcome.

The course has a excellent restaurant and the beer at the end of the round was suitably chilled, what more could you ask for.

Reasonably priced and definitely a course I will be re-visiting.

Mijas Golf Courses, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Mijas golf has two 18 hole golf courses, par 71 & 72.

Address: Urb. Mijas Golf, Mijas-Costa. Tel: +34 95 247 6843

Two relaxing 18 hole courses both having flat and wide fairways. Both courses are generous and forgiving leaving the option of a safe shot down the middle for a bogie or a par, alternatively you can take the driver out and go for the birdie. Good scores are achievable on either of the courses, which are set both in an attractive and tranquil landscape.

If you hire a buggy they have satellite / GPS tracking and mapping which gives you distances from where you park the buggy to the green and to hazards. Watch out though, don't make the same mistake I made, the distances are in meters not 1yards, don't forget to add 10% to get yardages!

All level of golfers will find that both courses at Mijas golf are a fair and enjoyable test of golf. Being one of the better-known clubs Mijas can get busy. A four and a half hour round is not unusual because it is so popular but the surroundings are so pleasant you hardly notice. I recommend both of the Mijas courses, play them and you will see why.

Just a tip for those playing out of season at Mijas golf course. They often close half of each of the golf courses to rest them out of season so you may find that you are playing the front nine of Los Olivios and the back nine of Los Largos one day and vice versa the next day. It's not a problem as both are nice courses but sometimes this takes people by surprise.

Miraflores Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Miraflores golf course is an 18 hole, par 72 golf course.

Address: Urb. Riviera del Sol, 29647 Mijas-Costa. Tel: (952) 83 36 47.

This used to be a favourite and regular golf course for me, sadly there has been extensive building work all around the course edge of Miraflores golf course and it appears never ending. In my opinion the building work has taken the edge off the natural beauty and spoilt the course somewhat. While prices have been reduced in an apparent attempt to tempt golfers back to the course I have to ask myself if I want to go all the way to Spain to play golf in the middle of a building site?

It is one of the more forgiving courses on the Costa and a buggy is not essential.

If you do try Miraflores golf course loosen up in advance of the first tee, the first hole is a tight and requires a straight shot or you could end up in the garden of one of the many villa's next to the fairway.

Monte Mayor Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Address: Ctra de Cadiz (N340), Km 165.6, La Cancelada, San Pedro. Tel: +34 95 211 3088.

A challenging course but in my opinion this is the best golf course on the Costa del sol, if your game is on form. It is extremely tight, very hilly and is carefully sculptured into the natural mountainous terrain. The natural views and beauty of this course are second to none.

Your golf needs to be accurate, sensible club selection and course management are a must. If you play sensibly and stay on the fairways you will be rewarded, if not make sure you have a good supply of golf balls.

If you play Monte Mayor golf course you are guaranteed a day to remember and you will want to go back as often as I do.

Most of the year golf buggies are included in the green fee's. If you visit in high season they may not be, in which case I strongly recommend that visit hire a buggy, you will need it.

This is a very isolated golf course, in a location where you have to ask "Who thought of putting a golf course way up here?" The isolation adds to attraction of this incredible golf course but it means that it is difficult to find, so I strongly recommend that you drive to it for a "test run" the day before your golf.

It is set in spectacular mountainous terrain where you will find peace and tranquility combined with natural beauty and unforgettable golf. A challenge but a fantastic golf course in surroundings that are literally unsurpassable. To sum up, if your game is on form do not miss this golf course, its brilliant.

Parador Malaga Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Parador golf course is an 18 hole, par 72 golf course.

Apartado de Correos, 324 29080 Málaga. Tel. +34 952376677

Parador golf Course is famous because it hosted the Spanish Open's in 1992 and 1999. Personally I am not sure why they would host such a prestigious event at this course because it is literally at the end of the busy runway of Malaga International Airport and there is constant noise as planes take off and land right next to the course.

I found this course boring, the greens were in a terrible condition and bunkers were in a state of total disrepair with bare soil and mud instead of sand.

Famous it may be but I found it to be a total let down. In my opinion the best way to view this golf course is out of the airplane window as you land or from the main road as you drive past to one of the many more pleasant courses in Andalucia.

Rio Real Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Rio Real golf course is an 18 hole, par 72 golf course.

Urb Rio Real, P.O.BOX 82, 29600 Marbella, Malaga. Tel: +34 95 277 95 09.

A mature, tranquil course that gradually meanders way up into the hills and then it wanders all the way back down to the beach. At one stage you feel you are alone in the middle of the mountains, next you are on a green that is literally next to the beach.

The course generally has wide fairways and while you have to concentrate it does not punish you unfairly. Water come in to play on a few times but in all honesty if you play sensible golf it won't cost you any golf balls. Pleasant countryside and views in the hills and a fantastic vista as you play down to the edge of the Mediterranean Ocean. A relaxing day of golf, this course comes in my top three golf courses but it does tend to be pricey because of its popularity.

The club house has a magnificent balcony / terrace restaurant where you can sit, watch fellow golfers playing out the 18th and reminisce on your "shot of the day."

The down side of Rio real golf course is the cost. A round of golf here tends to be expensive and the golf buggies, which I would recommend hiring due to the hilly location, are an expensive addition to this already high cost.

Santa Clara.

18 holes, par 71.

Address Ctra A7, KM 187.5, Junto a Hospital Comarcal, 29600, Marbella. Tel. +34.952.85.01.11.

Being next to a busy main road you could easily assume that it would suffer from traffic noise. For some inexplicable reason it doesn't. As soon as you tee off the course meanders away from the Coast following the gentle contours of the land leading you into a natural and peaceful setting. The course has several wide and relatively trouble free fairways where you can open your shoulders and let the ball fly but that said there are holes where course management is wise and where a little caution can pay dividends.

Santa Clara is relatively flat and is suitable for walking. The course is a fair test of golf and is similar in difficulty to many UK golf clubs, as opposed to many of the Spanish golf courses, which can be cruel at times. The course is perfect for an easy and relaxing round or for a golf society. It has many similarities to Rio Real but it is slightly easier, slightly flatter and has slightly less trouble. The course is relatively new and consequently it is not as well established as Rio Real.

When you arrive in the car park you will be met by an attendant on a buggy, who takes you your bag to the magnificent clubhouse, even thought it is only about forty yards from the car park. In the palatial clubhouse there are excellent changing rooms, shower facilities and a restaurant that serves a variety of quality food and drink.

My only reservation with this course is the green fee, which is very high compared to other courses in the area. The choice is yours.

San Roque Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

San Roque golf course is an 18 hole, par 72 golf course, which was designed by Dave Thomas.

Address:Urb. San Roque Club,Ctra de Cadiz (N340), Km 127, San Roque.Tel: +34 956 61 30 30.

The old course is expensive but is ideal for both experts and those looking for a leisurely game. Superb practice facilities and wonderful manicured greens and idyllic fairways. A real treat, if you are prepared to spend the money..

As a cheaper alternative you can always try the new course at San Roque, we visited and got a really good deal, half the price of the old course and we found it a fantastic days golf. There is a course is what I can best describe as a fair test, not too tough but not too easy either. They have got this course design absolutely spot on.

Santa Maria Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Santa Maria golf course is an 18 hole, Par 72 golf course, which was designed by Antonio Garcia Garrido.

Address: Coto de Los Dolores, Urb. Elviria. Tel: +34 95 283 1036.

A pleasant and popular course, which is challenging. It has plenty of long holes where you can open up and swing the driver but every now and then they throw in a tight par three to bring you back down to earth. The course starts off with a hole over a lake where you can "go for it" and get the driver out. There is ample fairway and a decent drive makes it a short par four. The course gradually winds its way into the hills and far, far away, we recommend a buggy.

Santa Maria golf course tends to be a little on the pricey side. I found the staff to be unhelpful and less friendly than most other golf courses in the area but if you let the golf course speak for itself you will enjoy a round here.

If you want a buggy or a Powakaddy we strongly recommend that buggy pre-book it, they have a limited supply and they soon get taken.

Sotogrande Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Sotogrande golf course is an 18 hole (Par 72) with an additional nine holes. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones.

Address: Paseo del Parque, Sotogrande, Cadiz. Tel +34 956 785 014

Another Robert Trent Jones success. He is reputed to have described Sotogrande as one of his proudest pieces of work, that's a compliment from a golf course designer of such ability.

European Tour pros battle here at the end of the season to gain their cards for the forthcoming season so that's an indication of the quality of this golf course.

Torrequebrada Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Torrequebrada golf has an 18 hole, par 72 course and addition nine holes, which were designed by Jose Gancedo.

Address: Ctra de Cadiz (N340), Km 220, Benalmadena-Costa. Tel: +34 95 244 2742.

Every hole is a different experience. Fantastic views of the Mediterranean and has the shortest par 3 on the coast. The 1979 Spanish Open was played here and you can see why after you turn for home on the back nine. A large number of lakes and strategically placed wide bunkers ensure that this course retains its reputation as one of the most popular courses on the Costa. Welcoming and luxurious clubhouse.

Valderrama Golf Course, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Valderama has 18 holes and is a tough par 72.

Valderama golf course is a world famous golf course and is ranked number one course in Continental Europe.

Valderama golf course is always in superb condition and enjoys worldwide fame, not least due to having had the privilege to have hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup and the last two American Express World Championships.

Extremely expensive but if you can play a round of golf here you are privileged!

One word of warning, I have pre-booked to play Valderama twice and had the booking cancelled at very short notice by the course. Both times they blamed disease on the greens. Strange how this never happens when the Volvo Masters is being played there!

There are new golf courses appearing all the time in Andalucia and the Costa del sol has understandably become known as the Costa del golf. As avid lovers of golf we are regularly visiting the area and we will try to play as many golf courses in Andalucia as we possibly can just so that we can keep this web page up to date (well that's the reason I give to my wife for playing so much golf anyway!)

The Costa del Sol Golf Guide is purely the subjective and personal opinion of the author.

The Costa del sol Golf Guide is "rough guide" of golf courses on and around the Costa del sol, Spain.

© copy write http://www.spanish-apartment.com all rights reserved

The Begining Of Golf

Golf Score

When you are playing the great game of golf, your golf scores become both your best friends as well as your worst enemies. Many players live by their golf scores and judge their progress according to what the score card says. While you might think that your golf scores are the best gauge of how you are coming along as a golfer, that isn't necessarily the case.

The way golf scores are tallied can mean so many things. Just because you shoot an 8 on a par 4 doesn't necessarily mean you are a bad golfer. It might mean that you had a bad drive and a mis-aimed chip - but it doesn't make you a bad golfer. So don't put too much stock into what the scorecard says. Judge your golf game by how you play rather than what your scores are.

Golf scores are only meant to help you keep track of the strokes you take to get from tee box to the hole. They don't ever take into consideration things like hazards, weather conditions, or anxiety. Sure, you can't keep track of how you are doing without paying attention to your golf scores, but you still need to keep in mind that there are a million variables that can make your score fluctuate.

Of course, if you're a golfer, you know all the terminology - birdie, eagle, bogey, double eagle (if you're really lucky) - but the real story in golf scores lies in how you played the course and navigated the hole. Instead of keeping track of scores, why don't you keep track of where you were for a particular shot and how that shot came out?

Let's say, you make a horrible drive on a par 4 and only end up 100 yards off the tee box. Let's hope it's past the women's tee - if you know what I mean! So now you are faced with a long fairway shot. You pick up your favorite club and smack a beautiful flyer right on the green. Who's going to say that wasn't a good golf shot? You end up with a par on the hole, but your score doesn't really reflect that amazing shot now does it?

The point is, don't put too much emphasis on the amount of strokes on your scorecard. Think about your golf score as a reflection of the amazing shots you've made as well as the flubbers you've had to live through as well. Then you can find out what kind of a golfer you are and not have to live by the golf score alone.

However, the Scots are generally adamant that the game of golf was a Scottish invention on St. Andrews golf course. The name "golf" is a derivative of the Dutch word "kolf" however, so as for who really invented the game, we say who really cares!

It really doesn't matter who actually invented the game, but what does matter is how the history of golf has evolved over the years. Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes. St. Andrews began with eleven holes dictated by the topography of the land the course was located on. Players would play the eleven holes out and then back in to total 22 holes. Later, several of the holes were deemed too short and were combined with each other. That reduced the number from 11 down to 9 so a complete round of golf was comprised of 18 holes.

By 1744, the game of golf had become wildly popular. So much so that a group of men called Gentlemen Golfers decided that a set of rules must be laid out for fair play. They came up with a list of thirteen guidelines on playing the game.

Major changes since the 19th century have occurred in the equipment needed for play. Better mowers made greens easier to play on. Golf balls designs would evolve by using rubber and man-made materials which made the ball fly longer on a drive. The wooden golf tee would make the drive easier.

No discussion of golf history would be complete without talking about the advances made in golf clubs. Metal shafts came about in the 1930s and most drivers were made of wood which is why they are called woods today even though they are most commonly made these days of metal or titanium. The golf shaft design has also gravitated towards graphite which is lighter and makes the club easier to swing.

When referring to the history of golf, we can debate exactly where the game originated, but the game of golf as we know it today, most certainly came about in Scotland. Even if we're wrong, we do still have this wonderful game - and most of us are very glad about that!

Golf Course

The game of golf is played on a golf course - obviously. But have you ever thought what goes into making a good golf course? I mean, what makes a good golf course, and what makes a not-so-good golf course? While we don't have the space to go through specific design layouts, we can touch on some of the aspects of a golf course that makes it fun to play yet challenging too.

Like the miniature golf course, a regular golf course should be fun. You really can't add the fun windmills or other hazards on a regular golf course, but you can use the natural elements of the land to help build challenges into the layout.

Obviously, the first thing you're going to need is land. I mean, you're going to need A LOT of land! The golf course must have some long yardage holes as well as some shorter yardage holes. However, most golfers will agree that having mostly longer holes is a great challenge. But they also need those short par 3s for a little ego boost!

Challengers on the golf courses are numerous especialy when you have several sand bunkers. Bunkers are now placed on the fairways as well as around the bunkers causing more golfers headaches! Having to hit out of the sand provides for all sorts of stroke modifications, and golfers love to have the challenge at hand!

The challengers on the golf courses are numerous one such is the dreaded water hazards. Rivers and lakes in theire natural enviroment are found everywere on the golf course. and man made water hazards are dug out and then filled with water over large areas! Water hazards make a player have to use finesse to avoid them and make a golf course fun to navigate.

The golf course that we play most often used to be a cow pasture. The rolling hills that used to have Holstein's instead of golf carts make this particular golf course a lot of fun to try and get "up and down" on. Rolling hills cause the golf ball to- you must guess here - roll! You think you have a great drive and you just might have but when you ball lands on the side of a hill two things will happen either it will stop dead a harder shot or it wiil carry on down the side of the hill. Either way, this is another way to make a golf course challenging.

Natural trees and woods are also part of the golf course environment. When you hear the sound of your ball hitting a tree on the golf course there is no sound worse. Then you have the fun task of trying to find out where the ball landed. Did it go further in or did the tree propel it out into the fairway? You have a great way of either way to challenge yourself against natural elements.

The fun of designing a golf course is shared by player and designer alike. Take in the natural elements of your favorite golf course and then navigate through those hazards with a positive attitude. Then you'll be having fun!

Discover how to hold your club. Learn the secret to your back swing. Does balance really effect your at game? Discover the mental game and learn the basics. Find out how your stance plays a role, learn about chipping. Discover common mistakes.

Plus much MUCH More at [http://www.golfsultimateguide.com]

Golf Fitness Exercises for the Amateur Golfer

With all the talk about the players on tour getting stronger and more flexible, we hear a lot about exercising for golf from television commentators and read about it in the golf publications. But what exactly are the best exercises for the amateur golfer?

A great question that has a good answer, but before we give you the answer let us provide some background so the answer makes a little more sense to you. First of all, discussing the golf swing for the time being will get us rolling.

What exactly is the golf swing? The golf swing is an athletic movement that requires using of the entire body from "feet to fingertips" in order to complete the swing. Realize that the golf swing is not about the club, not just about your grip, or where your head is during the swing. The golf swing is a movement that requires your entire body to move through a sequence of movements with the correct timing. To perform the "athletic movement" of the golf swing requires the body to begin at address, move through the actual phases of the golf swing and complete it with the follow through. In order to perform this activity with efficiency and repetitively, the body must have certain physical parameters.

These parameters, as I call them, are actual physical categories of the body that need to be developed to a certain level. These categories of the body are the platform from which the body is able to perform the athletic movement of a golf swing efficiently. The categories are probably familiar to many of you, but for the purpose of this article let us briefly run through them.

The body is required to have certain levels of flexibility, balance, endurance, strength, and power to complete a golf swing. If the body lacks in any of the above categories, then the results will be seen in the golf swing. The results are usually in the form of poor mechanics, bad shots, or poor scores on the course. So, now that we know what the connection is between the "body" and the "swing" let us address the question about the best exercises for golf.

The Best Exercises for Golf

Let's say you walk into your local health club and see all the fancy machines and aerobic machines at the facility to get you shape. What ones would choose? Would you choose running on the treadmill for 30 minutes, or would it be better to push out a couple sets of bench presses? Well, the answer to our question really lies within the connection between your swing and your body.

I will tell you that exercises meant to "pump you up!" or give you that "six pack" are not necessarily the correct exercises for your golf game. Neither is that weight training program you used back in high school. So, with those thoughts in mind what do you think the best exercises for golf are?

Right now we know, in general terms about the golf swing, what is required of the body for the golf swing and what exercises are not good for the swing. Armed with that knowledge we can decipher what the best exercises for golf are for you.

Beginning with flexibility, we know that the entire body must move through certain ranges of motion to perform an effective golf swing. And what happens if your body is not able to move through the required ranges of motion of the golf swing? The answer: the golf swing will mechanically suffer resulting in shots that are less than optimal. So part of the exercises that are good for golfers are flexibility exercises and, even more so, flexibility exercises that work the muscles used in the golf swing through the movements involved in the golf swing. So first and foremost flexibility exercises should be on the top of your list.

The second category of exercises that would be conducive to the golf swing would have to do with balance. We hear about balance in reference to the golf swing all the time. "Stay balanced through the swing; transfer your weight to maintain balance during the swing..." But what does balance exactly mean? Balance is the ability to control your body through a specific movement pattern. The movement pattern we are discussing just happens to be the golf swing. We know the importance of balance in relation to the golf swing, so how do we train our body for better balance in the golf swing? Before we answer that question we need to know a little more about balance. Balance in relation to the body has to do with the connection between your nerves and muscles. Essentially your nervous system, as a result of messages sent from your brain, tells your muscles how to move to maintain the body's balance. The more efficient your nerves and muscles are to these messages the greater balance abilities the body develops. So balance exercises train both the nervous system and muscular system to become more efficient at this function. Summing it all up, balance is the second category of exercises that will assist your golf game.

The third category of exercises that are beneficial to golf have to do with your muscles. The golf swing requires the muscles of your body to move through a specific range of motion (flexibility) and help with your balance capacities. In order to perform these actions and others, your body needs certain levels of strength and endurance. The definition of strength is the ability of the muscles to exert force for the given "athletic action" (simplified definition but a good working definition for us). Endurance is the ability of your muscles to do the same activity over and over again for a specific amount of time.

First off, let us discuss strength. The golf swing has one intention of developing club head speed while maintaining balance through the swing. The muscles in your body must have enough strength in them to do both. Now, when we discuss building strength for the golf swing it is NOT the type of strength needed to bench press 250 lbs. Or squat 500! It is strength geared towards the improvement of your swing. I refer to this type of strength as "golf strength." So when you get to the gym, performing strength exercises like bench press will not help your swing. Exercises that train the body in the positions and through the movements of the golf swing will help your swing.

In addition to strength, we need to develop endurance in your muscles. Think of how many swings you may take over the course of 18 holes. In order for you to be able to swing the club the same way on the 18th hole as you did on the 1st hole. Your body has to have high levels of endurance. This will allow your body to perform the golf swing without getting tired. You develop endurance similar to how you develop "golf strength." Utilize exercises that train the body in the positions and through the movements of the golf swing. Lighter loads with higher repetitions will be used for these exercises. The end result will be the development of "golf endurance."

The final segment of exercises beneficial to your golf swing is power training. Power training is geared towards the ability of your body to generate high levels of club head speed. Power development by the body is what allows for greater distance on your shots. Clubs help, golf balls help, but it really comes down to the piece of machinery, your body, swinging those club and hitting those golf balls. Development of power for the golf swing is very similar to the development of "golf strength and endurance." It is the utilization of exercises that place your body in the positions and move you through movements similar to the golf swing.

Summary

So there you have it, the answer to the types of exercises best for the improvement of your golf swing. I think you now realize it is not one exercise, but a group of exercises that incorporate flexibility, balance, endurance, strength, and power. A combination of these exercises is what will enhance your golf swing.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness progams go to http://www.seancochran.com

How to Integrate Weight Training Properly into Your Golf Exercise Program

Are you too confused about weight training for golf?

There are many opinions in the golf world on whether weight training is beneficial or counter-productive to the golf swing.

On the PGA Tour it is a well-known fact that the majority of professional golfers are implementing golf fitness exercises into their training regimen. The goal of such golf fitness exercises is to improve their play on the golf course.

First and foremost, as a professional strength and conditioning coach on the PGA Tour, I see the benefits of a golf specific exercise program are well documented.

The confusion for most amateur golfers probably centers around what specific training modalities and exercises should they include in their golf fitness programs and what are the professional golfers doing.

I get a lot of questions on how are the professional golfers programs set-up, what specific exercises do they incorporate in their programs, and are the exercises in such programs similar to those found in local health clubs. A lot of people ask me if they should include actual dumbbell and barbell exercises into their golf exercise program.

The goal of this article is to provide you information on what the components, modalities, and exercises that compromise a good golf fitness program.

I will also provide you with a breakdown and sequence of a good golf fitness program.

First and foremost, I need to define a few terms to help you create an understanding of the basic goals of a golf fitness program. The main goal of a golf fitness program should be to improve your golf game through the development of your physical body. In order for you to meet this goal, the golf exercises within your program must develop the body relative to the golf swing.

At this point, I must explain a few things about the biomechanics of the golf swing. The golf swing is a total body athletic activity. Meaning the entire body is utilized to swing the golf club. Just as in baseball, you do not throw with only you're your, but rather your entire body. The same is true of the golf swing; you swing the golf club with your entire body. This in the world of strength and conditioning is defined as an "integrated total body athletic action".

The golf swing is easily defined as an athletic action incorporating the entire body to execute. Knowing this point, a golf fitness program must incorporate exercises for the entire body. A term we like to call "integration". Integration is the utilization of exercises that incorporate the entire body. For example, the golf swing incorporates a rotational movement of the core (abdominals, lower back, hips, and obliques). An integrated golf specific exercise incorporating all these muscles would be a physio-ball Russian Twist in which all these muscles are working in a rotational pattern.

This is very different than isolating each muscle of the core and training them separately with isolation exercises such as abdominal crunches. The point to be made is; integrate the muscles of the body rather than isolating each muscle in a golf fitness program.

Secondly, the exercises within a golf fitness program must be "cross-specific" to the anatomical positions, movement patterns, and energy requirements of the golf swing. Simply stated this means train your body with exercises that place your body in the position your perform the golf swing, utilize exercises that move your body through the ranges of motion of the golf swing, and develop the needed energy requirements of golf.

For example, a golf swing is performed in a standing "athletic position". Knowing this fact, it would probably be of greater benefit to perform a physio-ball squat rather than a seated leg extension for the golf swing, why? Because the physio-ball squat places your body in a position similar to a position in which the golf swing is executed. A leg extension isolates the quadriceps in a seated position, which does not train the body in an integrated movement pattern, nor in a position similar to the golf swing.

Cross-specific training results in a "transfer of training effect" onto to golf swing. This simply means the exercises you are performing directly affect your golf swing in a positive manner. One goal of a golf fitness program is to get the greatest amount of benefit from each of your exercises.

If you keep these two principles integration and cross-specific in mind when developing your golf fitness program. The choices made in the selection of exercises will undoubtedly be better for your golf swing.

Once these basic principles are understood you may begin the process of developing a golf fitness program. A golf fitness program consists of a series of modules. The modules are essentially different pieces of the program geared towards developing a specific improvement within the body. As a whole, the separate modules together comprise a golf fitness program. For example, flexibility training is one module that is contained within a golf fitness program. The goal of the flexibility module is to develop the flexibility parameters within the body required of the golf swing. Listed below in sequential order with a brief definition are the modules that comprise a comprehensive golf fitness program.

1. Flexibility Training: exercises to develop flexibility within the body required of the golf swing.

2. Balance Training: modalities geared toward improving your balance capacities in relation to the golf swing.

3. Joint Integrity Training: Exercises to develop strength and endurance in the joints of the body. Injury prevention based exercises for the shoulders, hips, and knees.

4. Core Training: Exercises to develop the required stabilization, strength, and endurance in the core region of the body for the golf swing. Utilizes a variety of modalities and equipment such as physio-balls, medicine balls, tubing, and dumbbells.

5. Total Body Training: Integrated total body strength, endurance, and power training exercises. Geared towards developing the needed strength, endurance, and power within the body in a cross-specific manner relative to the golf swing.

The most important principle to remember relative to the modules comprising a golf fitness program are the goals of each module and the order.

Training order is of the greatest importance with a golf fitness program.

Often times the golfer will attempt to develop power within their muscles before achieving the proper levels of flexibility that the demanding golf swing requires.

If you train this way, you will most likely develop power in the body, but you will likely not be able to use it effectively.

For example, if you develop greater amounts of power in the core region of the body, but don't have the flexibility to execute a full shoulder turn. The ability of your body to utilize your increased power will be less than optimal. I can't emphasize to you enough, keep the training order consistent as I outlined above.

Finally, the number of exercise choices you have in terms of flexibility, balance, joint integrity, core training, and total body exercises for the golf swing are too many to count.

There is also many types of equipment you can use for each component of your golf exercise program.

You can use stretch cords, tubing, medicine balls, dumbbells, and all other types of equipment within a golf fitness program. The points to keep in mind when choosing the actual exercises for your program are:

1) Do the exercises train the body in the anatomical positions of the golf swing?

2) Do the exercises take the body through the ranges of motion entailed within the golf swing?

3) Do the exercises develop the required energy requirements of the golf swing?

If you use these questions in the decision making process of exercise selection, the final program you develop will most certainly be beneficial to your golf swing.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

Improve Your Golf Swing by Improving Your Tempo

We have all heard the word tempo in relation to the golf swing. Announcers on television speak of the "great" tempo Ernie Els has in his golf swing. What does tempo mean to the amateur and their golf swing?

Tempo in the Golf Swing

Tempo in the golf swing is a combination of many parts. Tempo is part timing in all aspects of the golf swing. It is part sequencing of each position within the golf swing, and it is part "feel". Putting all these golf swing parts together creates tempo in your own golf swing.

Interconnecting each phase of the golf swing; address, take-away, backswing, transition, downswing, impact, and follow through is one part of tempo, Performing each of these phases with the correct timing is also tempo. And finally "feel" for the clubhead is part of tempo.

We can probably say tempo is the end goal of all our practice and time spent on our golf swing. Once we have developed tempo in the golf swing, there is definitely a level of mastery within it.

How Do We Develop Tempo in the Golf Swing?

A great question that does not have a simple answer: Developing tempo in the golf swing is a task that requires patience, practice, and time. There really are no short cuts to developing it within your golf swing. One practice session at the driving range will not do it. The use of a single training aide will not get you there. The implementation of a golf fitness program will not achieve this task on its own.

I say this because developing a PGA Tour type golf swing requires a "basket of tools" in your arsenal. Developing tempo and a silky smooth golf swing requires you to:

* Receive proper instruction on the fundamentals of the golf swing

* Maintain a consistent practice schedule with your golf swing

* Use swing drills to develop every as of your golf swing

* The possible implementation of training aides into your practice sessions

* Implementing of golf fitness program to develop your body around the golf swing.

The "basket of tools" listed above put together can lead you to developing great tempo in your golf swing. It requires a comprehensive approach in which no short cuts can be made. Let's take a look at the bullet points above to get a better understanding of how to go about this process.

Proper Instruction in the Mechanics of the Golf Swing

Learning the fundamentals of the golf swing is key to developing tempo. This can be achieved through quality instruction. This will allow your body to learn the nuances of the swing. This is the first step in developing tempo.

Consistent Practice of the Golf Swing

As they say practice makes perfect. In order for your body to learn and be able to repeat to proper mechanics of the golf swing, you must practice on a consistent basis. The body learns biomechanical movements through repetition. The golf swing is no different. Repetition through proper practice session is the second key to developing tempo.

Swing Drills to Develop the Golf Swing

The golf swing as a whole is one of the most intricate athletic movements to perform. In its entirety, it is a very difficult movement to perform and master. It is best when learning the golf swing to break it down into parts. Breaking the golf swing down into segments allows you more easily to master each phase of the swing. This is accomplished through the implementation of golf swing drills. Swing drills break the swing down into manageable parts.

Training Aides in Association with Your Golf Swing Drills

Training aides assist the body in developing the golf swing. Think of training aides as "training wheels" on a bicycle. They simply help your body learn certain movements and positions associated with the golf swing.

Implementing a Golf Fitness Program

Your body swings the golf club and performs the biomechanics of the golf swing. In order to perform the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. It is necessary for your body to have certain levels of flexibility, balance, endurance, strength, and power. If your body is lacking any of this aforementioned list learning the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly will be very difficult. A golf fitness program is the final key to developing tempo in your golf swing.

Summary

To summarize the development of tempo in your golf swing requires a "basket of tools". Tempo requires; proper instruction on the golf swing, consistent practice of your golf swing mechanics, the utilization of swing drills, training aides, and a golf fitness program. Put all of these aspects together and a golf swing with tempo will be yours.

About the Author

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

How To Set Up a Golf Fitness Program to Improve Your Golf Game

Professional golfers on the PGA Tour understand the connection between golf swing mechanics and the body. The most notable players in the world have regimented golf fitness programs they adhere religiously too. The benefits of such programs have been well documented in the media. Press clippings from Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, and Phil Mickelson all refer to golf fitness exercises being a component of their regular practice schedule.

The amateur can learn a lot from the pros. They can learn the importance the body has in relation to the golf swing, how golf swing mechanics and the body are intertwined, and improvement in the golf game requires the implementation of a golf fitness program.

Where most amateurs get "off-track" with their golf fitness training is the components and exercises incorporated in such a program. Golf fitness programs are quite different then "general" fitness or "weight training" programs. A golf fitness program is designed to develop the golfer's body around the golf swing. In order for this to occur certain parameters and exercises are required in such a program.

First and foremost the amateur golfer must understand the connection between the golf swing and body. The golf swing is a complex series of biomechanical movements execute by the golfer. In order for the golfer to execute the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. It is necessary for the golfer to have certain physical parameters well developed.

These physical parameters are flexibility, balance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and muscular power. High levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power are required to execute the golf swing correctly. Often times the amateur golfer is not flexible enough, strong enough, or powerful enough to execute the golf swing correctly.

This results in the golfer developing compensation patterns in their golf swing. The result being poor shots and high scores on the golf course. Bottom line is a physical foundation of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power is required to develop an efficient golf swing. If the amateur golfer is lacking in anyone of these categories the foundation upon which the golf swing is being built will be insufficient.

Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the golf swing and the body it is necessary to implement a golf fitness program, A golf fitness program is different than "traditional" training programs in such this type of program develops the body around the golf swing.

A golf fitness program trains the body to the positions, movements, and requirements of the golf swing. A golf fitness program is not concern about "beach muscles" or how one looks in the mirror. Rather a golf fitness program has the primary goal of improving the scores on the golf course and play of the golfer.

This type of improvement is a result of using exercise to develop the physical parameters of the body relative to the golf swing. A golf fitness program will include flexibility exercises, balance drills, muscular strength exercise, endurance training modalities, and power drills. Exercises from all of these categories are included in a comprehensive golf fitness program.

Understand the exercises and drills within each of these categories are not necessarily traditional type of exercises. For example, flexibility exercises for golf are less concerned about touching your toes, and more concerned about completing a full shoulder turn. Flexibility exercises for golf are geared towards developing the flexibility within your body to execute the components of the golf swing correctly.

The same can be said about every other category of exercise and drill incorporated in a golf fitness program. The balance drills in a golf fitness program are designed to improve the golfer's balance capacities relative to the golf swing. Power exercises in a golf fitness program are designed to improve clubhead speed. Where as power drills in other programs may be geared towards improving how fast you run.

Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the golf swing and body, the elements of the body needing development relative to the golf swing, and the components of a golf fitness program. The final component of understanding is golf fitness training order.

Often times the amateur golfer desires more power (i.e. clubhead speed) in their golf swing. As a result they perform only exercises to enhance the power components within their body. What the amateur golfer fails to realize is developing golf strength, endurance, or power is useless if they do not have the flexibility or balance capacities to execute the golf swing. Developing the body for the golf swing requires the amateur golfer to follow a specific order relative to their training programs.

It is necessary for the amateur golfer to first develop their flexibility for the golf swing. Secondly proceed to increasing their balance capacities in relation to the golf swing. Continue the process with developing strength and endurance for the golf swing. Completing the process with power drills to enhance clubhead speed. This guarantees the effort placed within a golf fitness program will enhance the golfer's swing. It becomes a simple process once the golfer is educated on the relationship between the golf swing and the body. The benefits a golf fitness program has upon the golfer's swing, and how to implement golf fitness exercises correctly.

About the Author

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

The Power of Core Breathing For Golf - An Approach to Golf As You Get Older

The power of core/breathing approach for golfers is about coordinating the internal muscle action within the mind and body relationship for the golf swing. There is a need to exercise each day if your over 55 and using the golf swing and playing golf as an incentive to develop your exercise program so it enhances your enjoyment and ability to play golf. Core/breathing should be the center area of development within your exercises daily. In fact older you get the more focus on a daily bases should be to core/breathing and how to use it within your daily movement for its about engaging the core and breathing to set down or lift the smallest things. Core/breathing exercise is not hour a day but all day long to keep muscles in good tone and atrophy at its low level give your age.

If a person has chosen golf as their sport of choice the development of a exercise program to stay fit to play golf has to be personally developed. Focusing on your sport of golf in two different ways. First you develop your over all exercise program to keep your muscles tone and developed through out your body. Second you refine your exercise muscle development that focuses on an select group of muscles that your sport uses as its main force of physical action. Golf uses the whole body to play the game, so toning muscles is needed and then there are the muscles that you have to work that enhances your swing and lower the chance of injuries.

The more you play golf can have an affect on a persons physical atrophy level if they do not use the shoulders as their main force in movement. There is using the wrong muscles to create your physical movement that increase atrophy. This program sees the core and breathing as the main force to movement and doing golf for when the core goes weak and the breath become short, strength and endurance leaves person. It does take focus to manage your rate of physical atrophy starting around 55 so when you are in your 70 and 80, you can still play a good game of golf and that comes with, a good golf swing. If your over 65 and older and want to change your physical atrophy so you can play golf at a higher level, finding exercise programs that directly works on atrophy and it has to begin with core and breathing and then how to use core and breathing within your your game.

In golf, lower back problems are an impediment to a golf swing then comes muscles range motion in turning and then the shoulders problems. These are the basic physical weak point that impede a good golf swing and game. How to approach each problem and work within the interconnection between them for they are connected within your golf swing. Learning about your physical parts within your golf swing helps you realize your whole body and using the desire to play the game of golf give reason to work at your physical atrophy. The rewards to exercise within the context of the game of golf creates enjoyable moments and its physical to mental. The power of the core/breathing is the center point to give you strength and energy for any physical sport. To affect your lower back problems core/breathing is the beginning to reshape your lower back in your golf swing. Shoulder displacement can be affected by how you inhale in your chest to affect the shape of the shoulder during your swing. The range of motion is in direct ability to relax muscles and the force of exhaling is the first thing you can do to affect relaxation.

These are general ideas and finding and developing techniques within each idea to be affective on atrophy and your golf game at the same time has to be put together differently for each person.

Every sport has its physical affect on the body, its just life, but how to deal with it so it does not affect your game and does not hurt your body in the long run takes understanding of your physical body, mind and spirit. Exercising and keeping the muscles tone for the sport of choices and focus on the muscles that get used most within your sport and keeping them strong lesson atrophy. It is also how you engage and use those muscles to do the golf swing and game that affects how long will they be affective before they get over used and break down and do not heal. Healing muscles is another area of research and should be look at and work on as you get older. Finding techniques that affect muscles, spine and your golf swing form is a challenge of realization of your physical and mental being. Your emotional attitude, which is mental to physical and have direct affect on muscle tension, while you are playing affects your muscle tension and your golf form during your swing. Using the game of golf and your swing to realize more about your self from a physical point of view to your attitudes of life while in the game and creating choices to adjust your game for enjoyment. The more you enjoy what your doing, your muscles are relaxed during your physical activity. Negative attitudes (fear) will tighten muscles in your golf game thereby makes them weak and subject to injury.

The idea of golf as mental game is very common for people that play and they think that way because of how hard it is to hit that little ball and their emotions that come up in their swing and game. To change emotions is harder then changing your swing but they go together. Reality is the golf swing is all physical for golf is a physical game with emotional affect so being clear how they play together creates choices within your game. Adjustments and refinement each time you go out on the course is part of the fun of playing. Its about challenge and testing and realization how things work that make it not boring. Reverse the idea of the golf swing as physical to mental, emotional state but people start their game thinking or holding on to abstraction thoughts that have emotions within ideas in their head, that form a muscle reaction and when they release them, that is when the body does what you trained it to do. Being in the Zone in your game is having the mind feeling the muscles doing what your trained to do but do not have the mind thinking about what your doing.

The power of core/breathing is an approach for the mind to coordinate with core/breathing to activate a persons physical golf form that will give outlet to express their strength within the golf swing. Realize your core/breathing is the center force that the rest of the body uses to create force of action. If the core is weak the hands and feet will be weak and if breath is low endurance will be low. The better the core is connected to breathing action or coordinated within movement of the golf swing the more force can be directed by the mind into hand and feet.

The great Ben Hogan in his book on the golf swing has illustration that gives a good visual expression of the core and how it affects the muscles to coordinate the swing. How to energize those muscles is the approach in this program, the power of core/breathing. By developing core/breathing with your exercises to keep you fit to play golf, is one part and the other part is using the core/breathing while you are hitting the ball on the range and then there is using core/breathing as you are walking the course to relax. The more you use the core/breathing during your game keeps the level of coordination at high level and atrophy at lower level.

If your 55 and or much older the word atrophy should come into your consciousness for it's about understanding the goals that affect atrophy within your exercises that lesson the affects of aging. You can not stop aging but you can influence it in your physical life by keeping your core and your breathing ability at the highest level for your age. Using playing golf as a purpose to develop one self and explore ones spirit within the game of golf in contexts for using core/breathing techniques to enhance abilities in the game and out side of the game. Core/breathing ideas are not just about being on the course it is about life it self for when the core becomes weak and your breath is small your not moving the body.

The power of core/breathing has to be viewed in two different ways one for males and the other is for females to be the most affective because of physical and temperament differences. There is male sense of movement and exercise and females will use a different set of muscles within the techniques for each gender group should look at the ideas from their point view. Knowing there is difference lets a person incorporate these ideas in different ways that aids them to be more physical over all and in their golf game. Like in life man will do it one way and women will do it another way and that is just how it is but making the most out of are abilities is the goals. The basic ideas just work but the refinement of these ideas has to be base on gender to create effective physical experience within exercise and the golf swing.

Hitting 100 balls on the range should be the warm up for the course. You can view hitting a 100 balls as an exercise of the core/breathing energizing your swing through mentally directing a persons golf form. Making hitting 100 balls as an exercise where person spends 3 hours on the range hitting 1oo balls and taking the time to work their golf form within their core/breathing development to generate force within their swing. Toning the core muscles through creating the golf swing affects persons physical atrophy and keeping range of motion. Energy is real and it is generated in the core area and physical muscle strength is directly connected to core but energy and strength has to be also seen in context of the whole torso being engage in the act creating person breathing ability during the golf swing and exercises. Having clear understanding of the core area and how to use the different muscle groups during breathing and during the golf swing is a function to the mind or mindfulness. The more the mind understands and can feel the different groups of muscles gives the ability to activate them during your exercises and hitting the 100 balls.

This part could be called the daily 100 ball swing exercise, where each swing has core/breathing interaction between the different group of muscles form your golf swing to the hands and feet. If done affectively fatigue will not be the end affect but a feeling of muscles being energized and good sense of muscles throughout the body. Using the act of physically creating the swing, now there is so many types of swing keep in mind so swings can very and that is part of using the act of creating the swing as an exercise to engage the core/breathing on each swing.

The approach to core/breathing for the golf swing begins with the center of the body and focus on the belly button. The belly button is in the center of your core so how that area is used for the different types of bodies plays into understanding of your abilities. There all different body shapes and the goal is the same in the golf swing but approach has to be different to adjust to one abilities and age. The approach begins with dividing the swing into two parts at the belly button where there is movement from the belly button down and from the belly button up. The up part is related to shoulders and the down part is about hips.

Example of how the body move between hips and shoulders. Stand straight with feet apart (like at address) and then bring your mind focus to the core area and then the belly button. Keeping focus on belly button and do not let it move turn shoulders and head but do not let belly button move from center. Do this very slowly to feel the muscles on your side and the tension build up and then stop at any point just to realize the feeling between the hips and shoulders by not letting belly button move. Range of movement will very given body shape. By feeling and realizing your range of motion within this turn help develop your swing and the force you can generate. Exercise for your golf swing is to go into address and bring club back but do not let your belly button turn and feel the muscle affect. The more you pull back on club and keeping your belly button center build up tension and once you reach your top hold it and relax shoulders, feel the core and muscle relationship to the hands, holding the club and the feel of the club. You have to feel the club within your hands is the end goal so you can direct it through your swing and feel it as you hit the ball and that is fun. Feeling the club is in direct ratio to strength in core and the minds connection through energy.

Now bring your self back to address and to realize how the body turns at the waist were the belly button turns the hips turn but shoulder do not. How the body moves from the belly button down wards affects the hip movement and feet connection and turning ability. This is about getting a sense of movement ability and understanding how the belly button relationship between hips and feet and when it moves in your swing and shoulders force when belly button does not move. Think about this example in context of the whole torso for the golf swing, never stop viewing the approach from idea of the whole torso and body movement but it is divided at the belly button.

The belly button affect within using the core/breathing influence and enhances your swings if it is short or long. Try this with your belly button, on short swing keep your belly button in place at address and just move club. The force down your leg to keep the belly button in place makes a very good foundation for your swing. You have to choose to bring the hips around with the small swing or not. The more you feel the pressure of the inside heel to keep hip from turning or belly button the more tension in muscles in your side can be build up and the swing can be relaxed. When your mind feels the belly button staying in place the spine can become straight and shoulders relaxed.

You can see and feel differences when the belly button moves the hips and the feeling when you keep the belly button in one place and feel shoulders range of motion. Look at the golf swing in three stages and how to develop each stage and then engage each one in your golf swing. How you move your belly button determines, if you have a single or two plane swing and it influences the force of the swing in the build up of tension in groups of muscles from your core and left hip to your to your left shoulder point.

Within movement what is the core tension doing and breathing in the context of the torso as you are at address and during your swing and after your swing. It is about how you move the belly button set up the hip movement for your golf swing. Having core muscle tension give the mind a sense of connection for movement. The mind does not move muscles unless it feels the muscles.

What was not talk about is how to breath before, during and after your swing for breathing is part of working with your golf swing.

NOTE; This is energy point view that affects physical and mental for it is an approach and it is not simple because its about experiencing your swing and game and how to develop and direct your energy flow into it. Here is a suggestion; do not do what your read BUT play with what is said. It is about being creative from the internal to the external and then back. Its a interaction thereby playing has to be and that forms enjoyment the greatest enhancement to your game. There are many advantages to being older and be wise can be one of them and developing wisdom within your golf game.

If you have lost your force in your golf game look at your core force ratio to shoulder usage and your breathing range for the more you enhance core/breathing the more you can play within your golf game.

http://www.bartleyenergycoach.com