Rory McIlroy To Create His Own Management Group?
Golf World No 2 Rory McIlroy looks set to leave Horizon Sports Management to create his own management group.
Rumours have been circulating the world of golf that the 24-year-old Northern Irishman would create his own team with his father, close friends and associates. McIlroy denied the speculation at the recent Players Championship, but it is widely understood that the two-time major winner will shortly make his second management change since October 2011.
McIlroy left International Sports Management just four months after winning the first of his two majors, the US Open at Congressional, joining his close friend Graeme McDowell at Horizon.
McIlroy won his second major in the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island last year, also by eight shots, and a total of five wins worldwide took him to the coveted number one spot in the world rankings.
A multi-million pound sponsorship deal with Nike coincided with a run of poor form at the start of 2013.
JUNIOR GOLF EQUIPMENT
The Golfers Club – Quality Junior Golf Equipment
When it comes to the wonderful game of golf, lots of people understand that it is very important for the individual to be able to find quality golf equipment in order to make sure that they are at the top of their game. When parents invest in Junior golf equipment for their kids, they can make sure that the golf clubs and other essential items that they are using are up to the required standards. Many people will immediately spot the difference between the correct size of Junior golf equipment and golf equipment that has been made for senior sized individuals. High quality Junior golf equipment can be coupled with cost effective prices. This is good news since people generally want to feel that the items in which they are investing will be worth it in the long run. Buying the right Junior golf equipment will help by offering a lifespan that is reflected in the quality on offer.
The Golfers Club – Junior Golf Equipment Choices
Some Junior golf equipment companies tend to overcharge for their equipment because there is such a great dependence by the player on their equipment when it comes to the game of golf. However, golfers are in luck because the price tags that are placed on some Junior golf equipment are highly competitive due the amount of competition in the market. Anyone buying Junior golf equipment must do their homework (search online!) in order to figure out which company’s items would be best for them. And don’t forget, there is a vast selection available to choose from, so whatever the player needs they will more than likely be able to find whatever it is that takes their fancy.
The Golfers Club – Junior Golf Equipment Online
It is really very easy to find all sorts of Junior golf equipment on the internet. As well as having the ability to source highly competitive prices, buyers will be able to have the equipment shipped directly to their doorstep. For many people, this is much more convenient than going out to the local Junior golf equipment store and having to cart the equipment back home themselves. With the flexibility and convenience of shopping online it is now seen as being attractive enough for people to make this their primary mode of shopping.
Being able to purchase Junior golf equipment online allows individuals to manage their schedules more effectively and enable them to do more of the things that they actually like doing, such as playing golf, which is much more enjoyable. One thing to bear in mind is that for children to play golf correctly they need the proper equipment just like anyone else. This is why it is so important to get quality Junior golf equipment right from the start.
GOLF SHOES
The Golfers Club – The Benefits of Good Golf Shoes
It is amazing the number of golfers that don't realize the effect a good pair of golf shoes can have on their game.
Apart from the fact that good golf shoes will provide you with more control when you are swinging your golf clubs, a good fitting pair of golf shoes will be more comfortable and will benefit your performance.
The Golfers Club – Suitable Golf Shoes
Tired feet are known to cause a lot of fatigue, and that fatigue gets translated into a tired mind and reduced performance on the golf course.
Hot or wet feet will also affect your game, as will feet that are uncomfortably tight in the wrong size of golf shoes.
Golf is a game where every aspect of your performance is related, from the top of your head (your mind control) right down to the comfort of your feet.
As you know, golfers spend a lot of time on their feet during a round of golf so you really do need to make sure you are comfortable.
There are numerous different types and styles of golf shoes on the market which means that anyone will be able to find something suitable.
The Golfers Club – Winning Golf Shoes
A word of warning, before you decide to buy you will need to find out what types of golf shoes are allowed on the golf courses that you will be playing at as some courses don't allow cleated or spiked golf shoes.
Having cleats or spikes on your golf shoes will assist in stabilizing your feet during your golf swing and this can add power to your stroke.
Having the reassurance of knowing that your feet aren't going to 'break loose' after you have just hit a big drive will allow you to push the limits of your ability and that may well be the difference between winning or losing a game at the end of a round.
Every little benefit that you can identify and implement will help you on your way to a lower handicap and become a happier golfer. So what are you waiting for – go and source a good pair of golf shoes now!
GOLF PRACTICE – WHY DO SO MUCH?
The Golfers Club – Golf Practice On Autopilot
Golf practice will train your mind and your body to perform on autopilot.
The less you have to think about the actions involved in your swing the more the likelihood you have of hitting the golf ball the way you should.
There are so many different actions that you need to consider in order to hit the perfect golf shot that in actual fact, there are just far too many things to think about all at once.
The Golfers Club – The Golf Practice Solution
The solution to having a good (great) swing and hitting the ball correctly is to get as many of those actions drilled into your subconscious so that you don’t have to think about them to perform them correctly.
It is just like riding a bicycle where you don’t have to think about the action of actually peddling the bike to make the wheels go round. You need to do the same thing for your golf swing.
You can start with any aspect of your game and practice until you no longer have to think about it.
There is always a point in time where your golf practice will reach the stage that you start doing the right thing naturally and that allows you to concentrate on other areas of your game.
If you continue to chip away at the techniques that are required, eventually you will be proficient in all areas.
The Golfers Club – Golf Practice Mastered
Once you have mastered the correct golf techniques you will be able to enjoy the rewards of your efforts for years to come.
Time spent at the beginning of your golf career getting the basics right will be the best investment you could ever make.
The pleasure in golf is when you know that you have done well on the day and golf practice will ensure that you will do better more often.
Golf practice might not always be fun but the results that it can provide certainly will be.
GOLF SHOES
Golf Shoes – Are They Essential?
As most people know, there are shoes for practically every sport imaginable. There are relatively few sports that don’t have a special shoe that is intended to improve the way you perform when you are wearing them. Yet many people can’t always afford to buy all of the additional shoes that are a supposed necessity. This leaves a number of people to wonder if it is really necessary to buy golf shoes in order to play golf. In trying to balance monetary considerations with safety considerations there are a few things that you should keep in mind.
Perhaps your first consideration should be your level of skill. A beginner golfer typically cannot justify the expense of buying golf shoes. Golf shoes are certainly not cheap, and since they can only really be worn on the golf course they have a very limited usage away from the golf course. The likes of basketball and tennis shoes can be worn for different circumstances, golf shoes must remain on the golf course in order to avoid damaging them unduly, or for that matter, the ground surface on which you walk.
Invest In A Decent Pair Of Golf Shoes
If you happen to be a highly skilled player or even play the game on a regular basis, you will probably want to invest in a decent pair of golf shoes. When you do decide to invest in a pair of golf shoes you will want to find a pair of shoes that you are completely comfortable in. Bearing in mind that many golf courses require you to do a vast amount of walking you can see why it is so important that the fit is comfortable, something with plenty of cushioning as well as good support is essential.
It is always a good idea to check out or contact the golf courses where you plan to play golf in advance. There are some clubs that have a strict golf shoes policy, in other words, no golf shoes = no play. While this may seem draconian and a bit of a killjoy, especially if you were not planning to buy golf shoes initially, golf courses require golfers to wear the shoes as a safety consideration to ensure that you do not slip when you are playing a shot. A good pair of golf shoes will have spikes or a softspike system that will deliver exceptional grip in all conditions and ensure that you are not slipping when you swing your club.
Choose The Right Golf Shoes For You
Take your time to shop around for golf shoes, you will come to realise that this is a very wise move. There are plenty of different colors to choose from, so selecting the color for you can turn out to be a harder decision than you might think. In addition, not all shoes are made the same. The shoes that are best for your feet may not be best for someone else’s feet. Also, there are numerous diverse material styles that you can choose from such as hard materials to soft leathers.
Be assured that choosing the right shoes to play golf in will ensure that you are comfortable and well supported, just what you need to hit that great shot. If you happen to be playing a lot of golf, you will quickly see how a good pair of golf shoes can do wonders by helping to improve your comfort level as well as your game. Don’t dismiss the ability of a good pair of shoes to dramatically increase your overall golfing performance. Take your time when choosing your golf shoes, you will not regret it.
BUYING A GOLF CART
Tips For Buying A Golf Cart
There are not very many people who actually have a worthy reason for buying a golf cart for their own personal use, however, if you decide that you need a golf cart there are a few things that you should bear in mind so that you can make the best buying decision possible. Of course buying a used golf cart will save you a fair chunk of money, but you should know what you are looking at when you go to buy a golf cart in order to ensure that you get a really good deal, after all you don’t want to waste your money on something that does you no good.
Step number one, if you want to purchase a golf cart for your own personal use at a golf course – find out if the course will allow you to use a cart on the course. A number of golf courses do not allow carts, however many others do. One reason you may want to purchase a golf cart is if you happen to live on a golf course and would simply prefer to drive the cart to the clubhouse rather than your car. With the increasing expenses for fuel alone, this can lead to massive savings over a number of years and more than pay for the expense of the golf cart itself. However, remember to check with your local area to ensure that it will not be a problem driving it on the roads in and around your area, as well as with the golf course to ensure that it is ok with them.
Golf Cart Research
When you have completed all of the research for your area you have more things that you need to consider. An electric golf cart is obviously a much wiser and cheaper purchase, certainly in the long run. With an electric golf cart you do not have to purchase gasoline continuously and there are typically fewer parts that may need to be repaired or replaced as well. This will make the maintenance upkeep that much cheaper which will allow you to get further usage from the golf cart before it needs to be replaced.
When you are looking around at golf carts, you must look for a cart that has a new battery as well as battery connectors. You should also look for a cart that has a good clean connector and charger that looks in decent condition. It goes without saying that the cart itself should be clean and in good working order. Do not buy a cart that is not working properly in the hope that you can fix it on the cheap. Buying a cart that is not working properly is more than likely going to turn into a nightmare project due to the continuous repairs that will be required. If the cart does not work properly at the time of purchase, move on.
Golf Cart Test Drive
You will also want to make sure that you can take the cart for a test drive. If you are not able to take the cart for a test drive, you really should just walk away. If you do manage to take it for a test drive ensure that you can stop within a space of 10-15 feet without sliding. Golf courses are not going to appreciate you bringing a cart to the course that can cause any sort of damage. Don’t forget to check the steering and make absolutely sure that the cart turns properly. The final consideration should be to look at all of the wheels to ensure that they are all in good condition. With a bit of careful research and knowing what you are actually looking for you can save as much as 75% off the price of a new golf cart by purchasing a used model.
DO WARM GOLF BALLS TRAVEL FURTHER?
Heat Up Your Golf Balls
It is a recognised fact that warm golf balls will travel further than cold balls everything else being equal.
The simple reason for this is the fact that the additional heat influences the compression of the ball.
It is hard to say how much heat would be needed to gain additional length and the gain in distance would be relatively minimal anyway, but every little bit extra helps, right?
Having said that, I think it is fair to say that in golf it is all about making gains, no matter how big or small they are and in as many areas as possible.
Put Your Golf Balls In Your Pocket
It is not uncommon for some golf pros to carry their golf balls in their pocket as this helps to retain heat within the ball. So whether this helps mentally or actually enhances the true distance they get, it is definitely going to benefit them at the end of the day.
If you happen to be playing in particularly cold conditions your golf balls will lose their heat quite quickly so you will only get the benefit of your first shot in all likelihood.
Once again, even if you can make just one gain in one particular area of your play at every hole, that will add up to a lot of good when your score card is tallied up after the eighteenth.
Heat Your Golf Balls Before You Play
You could always heat your golf balls before play but you had better make sure that you don’t damage the inner core of the ball while doing so or you will end up doing more harm than good.
With the mental part of golf being such an important part of the game, having your golf balls heated might just be the edge you need to give you the confidence to play that little bit better.
If that is the case, then the benefits will be far more than any increase in distance you might possibly gain.
One thing you could do is practice with a few heated golf balls and a few at normal temperature and if you notice a difference then you should just run with it.
THE GOLFERS CLUB | WINTER GOLF TIPS
Winter Golf | Can You Motivate Yourself?
Learning to play golf can be a rather challenging process, particularly if it is winter golf. If you happen to live somewhere where it gets rather cold you could be looking at some vast challenges in terms of practicing golf when the weather turns icy cold. However, if you work on building a game plan before the weather turns cold you could still be able to practice your golf skills no matter what time of year it is. This would enable you to work continuously on improving your golf game all year round, rather than only when the weather is suitably warm. Your other alternative to winter golf would be to relocate or take annual leave in an area each winter that is not only warm, but has a number of great golf courses as well.
Of course, the idea of playing winter golf may be quite motivational, but at times the course can be just too cold to play. This combined with the potential for icy dew on the grass, not to mention frozen water hazards, can make playing in the winter almost impossible. If you have a strong desire to continue playing winter golf your best option will be looking for an indoor golf course where you can play, or even an indoor driving range so you can continue to practice your golf swing during the cold winter months.
Winter Golf | You Can Still Practice Your Golf Swing
Whatever your situation you should still try to practice your golf swing no matter how cold the weather is. Otherwise, your first few games back on the golf course when the weather warms up is likely to be below par! A good winter golf exercise program should ensure that you work out constantly. However, just as during the time when you can actually play golf, you need to make certain that you are building lean muscle. Never work to build bulky muscle even during the off season for golf. While waiting until the weather warms up to play golf may seem like torture, it is a good idea to avoid playing when it is really cold outside.
Winter Golf | Warm Up And Prevent Injury
In terms of your health playing winter golf when in the cold weather is bad because you are putting your body through intense amounts of stress just trying to keep warm, as well as focusing on the game itself. This can dramatically increase the risk of getting hurt and even increase the chances of a pulled muscle due to the fact that muscles need to be properly warmed up during the colder months. Any injury regardless of the time of year is bad enough, but during times of the year where the weather is especially cold you are going to be much more susceptible to injury. This is a major factor associated with winter golf.
Always make sure that you are spending a fair amount of time inside rather than outside when it is particularly cold. Playing a few short rounds of winter golf is not worth getting hurt. Always ensure that during the cold months, you either stop playing outside or you wait to play outside when you go visit a much warmer location. Nobody ever wants to get injured so just keep in mind your overall safety when you are trying to play winter golf.
GOLF CART ACCESSORIES
Do You Own Your Own Golf Cart?
If you are fortunate enough to own your own golf cart, chances are that you spend quite a bit of time at the golf course. Therefore you would, in all probability, like to get your golf cart to be as useful as possible. When you first buy a golf cart they are usually very basic as far as features and extras are concerned. However, you can make upgrades in the future in order to enhance the golf cart and turn it into a much better experience. This might be something to make the golfing trip easier, or maybe just something that personalizes your golf cart. Either way, golf carts are a lot like cars in that they can be improvised and improved as you see fit.
Deluxe Golf Cart
The first step to creating a truly deluxe golf cart is to personalize the regular components. Do you feel that the seats are not as comfortable as they could be? Perhaps you should consider re-upholstering them with a nice leather finish. All of the components on a stock golf cart can, more than likely, be replaced with something more luxurious and stylish. This means everything from the rims of the wheels to the bumpers or the steering wheel. It would make sense to decide on some sort of theme, such as chrome or a dark varnished wood. Replacing everything may prove expensive and it might require a lot of hard work, but it will be worth it when you are driving a golf cart that is 100% unique.
If you have an extravagant and intricate plan that requires rebuilding the entire golf cart, you may want to get in touch with a professional that will be able to help you to plan out the entire scope, step by step. This could be the most expensive option of all, but if you establish a good contact who can get the job done well, then you are more likely be happy with the final outcome. To find a professional like this, make enquiries in some of your local car body shops to see if they are willing to offer customized golf cart work. Other than that you could look for help online, perhaps on a site like CraigsList.com, where you can post a help wanted ad and wait for people to get in touch with you.
A Tasteful Golf Cart
Some other possible accessories for your golf cart includes body kits that can be installed in just a few minutes, or paint and sign work that will take a similar amount of time. These options will definitely personalize your golf cart as well as make it stand out among the rest of the golf carts on show at any given time. Just be sure to keep your modifications on a tasteful level. Big tip – do not deck the entire thing out to look like the popemobile, that would just be obnoxious and distasteful. Instead, make it look pleasant and easy on the eye as that will go a long way to making your golf club proud to have you as a member.
If you need any further inspiration to get started with modifying your golf cart, look on the internet for some examples.
Your Questions About How To Improve Your Golf Swing
Mandy asks…
How can I improve my golf swing?
I have learned to keep my head down and eye on the ball and thats helping, but I sitll randomly hook and slice…I think its where im standing. I know about how you line up your feet to where your hitting but beyond that I dont know anything else, help!
Brian answers:
If you’re slicing, try lowering your back shoulder. Also a lot of the direction depends on the grip of the club. Try tightening up the grip.
Chris asks…
What are some ways to improve your golf game if you are a 19 handicap?
I am a young golfer and my handicap is about 19. I would like to get it to 15 or under by the end of this summer. I’ve been playing golf since I was little, so my swing is natural, and I have a good idea of the game, but I really want to have a break-through. Recently, I shot just 14 over, but I haven’t been able to mimic that score. How do I par more holes (I par about 5 a round)? How do I eliminate double and triple bogeys from my score? What are some ways to improve my golf game in general? What are some techniques or drills that might work?
P.S. Most days I have a great long game, but then I ruin it with my putting. I practice putting for at least 30 minutes every time I go to the course and I get experience playing, but what are some putting techniques that may help me? I have pretty good aim, but how do I get the speed right?
P.P.S. How do I become more consistent with my long irons and my driver? Also, are there any pre-shot techniques that help to make you hit better shots?
Brian answers:
First, you need to understand golf…the more pressure you put on yourself, the better chance you have of failure until you learn your game.
Range: I would spend 1 hour a day hitting range balls. I would use it as a time to practice and not hit balls like a machine gun. I would develop a pre-shot routine that is natural. Stand behind the ball and see your target and ball flight and then walk into the ball and address it then swing. The more consistant you get with this routine, the lower your scores will be. During this practice time make sure you are hitting at flag sticks and targets. Jack Nicklaus always stood behind the ball and envisioned the ball flight/trajectory with each shot. He felt if you could see it (ball) and feel it (type swing mechanics for ball flight) then you had a better shot of getting your body in proper position to hit it. Mind over matter…..
Next: spend about 30min -1 hour working on short game and putting. Again, practice like your playing a round. When warming up before a round start hitting putts from about 3-5 feet. Those are your scoring putts when trying to get up and down. Gradually work your way out to putts of about 20-30 feet. When hitting those, practice mainly for pace/speed and not for making. If they go in great.
Focus: When practicing with your friends on the range or on the green play games that puts you in pressure situation. On the range find the 100 yard flag and play closest to the pin on each shot. The first on the 10 wins. You don’t have to play for anything but bragging rights. As you do this, move out to 150 yards and so on. The idea with this is to work on your focus/concentration with one shot and not a bucket of balls. This will help when you get to the course when you have one shot that has to be pulled off.
Now, golf is a game of learning experiences. As you learn your golf swing you will learn your stregths and weakness. You will learn which sides of the green you can fire at and which ones you play to the middle of the green. On par fives if you can’t get to the green in two don’t hit a 3 wood that leave you the akward 50-60 yard shot you can’t hit. Hit an iron to your strength 100 yards or so and fire at the pin that way. The problem with 14 year olds is they like to grip it and rip it…..that is only the way about a handful of guys actually play the game….golf is played with patience and learning when to hit the accelerator and when to hit the brake….good luck with your golf came…
Thomas asks…
Describe the perfect golf swing?
OK, so my family reunion is in a week or two and we’re going to play golf. I need some advice on how to improve my swing. What, in your mind are the key points to a perfect swing and how do you prepare for a game of golf.
Brian answers:
The golf swing is basically a natural thing.
The first mistake alot of people make is thinking too much! You cannot concentrate on more than one swing thought.
Try setting up to the ball where you are not too close or reaching for the ball.
Take the club straight back behind the ball. As you turn your shoulders, your hips will follow.
Don’t overswing! Take the club to almost parallel (meaning don’t let the club become more than perpendicular to the ground).
Turn your hips back to the ball and your shoulders will follow.
Smooth follow through.
Donna asks…
Did I deserve to get fired over this?
I (had) a job in a fancy hotel working as kitchen help, mainly washing the dishes most of the day. Since our other kitchen help is on leave of absence, I’ve been working 60 hours a week for the past 3 weeks.
Last Saturday was my ONLY day I had off after working a solid 3 weeks, and I spent it out on the golf course with my girlfriend and some of our good buddies. My cell phone buzzed repeatedly, and the caller ID said it was from work–assuming it was probably my boss asking if I wanted to come in, I just ignored it and carried on.
The following day, I showed up for my shift, and my boss stopped me at the kitchen door and snarled, “So how was golfing yesterday?” I hesitated, and he said, “Don’t lie…cause that course you were playing on? My brother owns it. And he happened to mention to me in a phone conversation that he saw you….then when I asked him to tell me if you’re just ignoring my calls, and then hung up with him and called you–he called back and told me he saw you specifically take out your ringing cell phone, look at it, then drop it back in your pants. Just so you know, the person that was supposed to be kitchen help for the day called in sick, and we had a wedding with over 200 guests. Thanks to you, after I was done with my assigned job, I got the privilege to stay up until 4 in the morning washing dishes and cleaning the dining room. Obviously, improving your golf swing is more important that our business, so why don’t you hand over your uniform, and keep practicing for the upcoming PGA tour!”
DUDE…IT WAS MY DAY OFF! Am I supposed to be at everyone’s beck and call like a 911 service?!? Did I deserve this? I don’t get it!!!
Brian answers:
Tell him to f* off. He sounds like a major a-hole it WAS you r days off – sounds like he doesn’t know how to manage a restaurant very well if he only has two people available that can wash dishes over an entire 7 day period
why should YOU be yelled at if the person that supposed to be working called in sick?. Was THAT person also fired? This guy’s a dikwahd
I hope he was paying you overtime for all hours over 40 a week – if not – he owes YOU tons of money and I would report him to the state dept of labor – you might wind up getting triple damages. Hopefully you can document all your hours if needed
file for unemployment – I don’t see any reason why you would not get it – and if you are denied initially, file for an appeal hearing so you can give your side in person
Robert asks…
Golf: When you bend your knees, how do you keep from moving up/down during the swing?
Here’s what happened: I started out with a book and couldn’t do jack with it. So, i made some modifications to get a consistent swing. One modification I made was to lock my knees. After a month or two, I was able to get a really straight, consistent ball flight. But, I plateaued and couldn’t improve anymore. So, I bought another book and tried to incorporate the knee bend into my swing. Suddenly, I couldn’t hit anything.
The main problem I have with the knee bend is that i pop up or move down during the swing, and either top or turf the ball. How do you avoid this?
Thanks in advance.
Brian answers:
You watch the bottom back of the ball. Use that to keep your body in position. You can find some great tips to answer your questions on my 360 blog roll or go to www.pga.com improve your game section. You can find some great programs at a good price at www.playgolfamerica.com look for something called Link Up 2 Golf and make sure they take the class on to the golf course at least 3 times.
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