Golf Course

A golf course consists of a series of holes, each with a teeing ground that is set off by two markers showing the bounds of the legal tee area, fairway, rough and other hazards, and the putting green surrounded by the fringe with the pin (normally a flagstick) and cup.

The levels of grass are varied to increase difficulty, or to allow for putting in the case of the green. While many holes are designed with a direct line-of-sight from the teeing area to the green, some holes may bend either to the left or to the right. This is commonly called a "dogleg", in reference to a dog's knee. The hole is called a "dogleg left" if the hole angles leftwards and "dogleg right" if it bends right. Sometimes, a hole's direction may bend twice; this is called a "double dogleg".

A typical golf course consists of 18 holes, but nine-hole courses are common and can be played twice through for a full round of 18 holes.

Early Scottish golf courses were primarily laid out on links land, soil-covered sand dunes directly inland from beaches. This gave rise to the term "golf links", particularly applied to seaside courses and those built on naturally sandy soil inland.

The first 18-hole golf course in the United States was located on a sheep farm in Downers Grove, Illinois, in 1892. The course is still situated there today.

ボールの進化

ここ数年で見てもゴルフボールはかなり進化した。現在、ツアーで活躍している全ての選手がマルチレイヤーのソリッドコアというタイプのボールを使用しているはずだ。ここ数年の飛距離は、ほぼ横ばいであるが 1993年から 2003年の 10年間で、プロのドライバーの飛距離は 30ヤード近く伸びている。

さて、ゴルフボールは、初め羽毛を皮で包んだ手作りのものが使用されていた。その後、1848年にガッタ （Gatta または Gutti とも言われる） という量産できるボールが現れたことが、ゴルフの発展を大きく促したと考えられている。初めは表面がスムースであ ったものが、後にキズを付けるとより飛ぶことが判明し、メッシュの付いたものや表面に小さないぼいぼ状の突起がついたボールなどが普及した。

さらに 1898年にはゴムのボールが始めて使われるようになり、1901年に Haskell rubber-core ball というボールが出現し、ゴルフを大きく変えていった。当時のボールの表面には、いぼいぼ状の突起が施されていた。（右は当時の宣伝のポスター AllPosters より） 現在のボールのようにディンプルが使われるようになったのは 1908年からと言われている。そして 1930年に 始めてゴルフボールの規格が全英ゴルフ協会によって確立された。現在のゴルフボールの規格は重量が 45.93 g (1.620 ounce) 以下、直径は 4.27 cm (1.680") 以上となっている。

Callaway, Always the Best

Right from the beginning, Callaway clubs were innovative. After Ely Callaway bought Hickory Sticks, he began implementing changes above and beyond the hickory-shafted, steel core club shafts. His success in the textile industry gave him the capital for research and development.
While Callaway manufactures a full-range of golf equipment, their clubs are their most famous product, mostly due to their innovative design. In the mid-eighties, the Carlsbad, California-based company introduced the over-sized 190 cm3 Big Bertha steel head driver, which became an overnight success. Richard C. Helmstetter and Glenn Schmidt teamed up on this and subsequent over-sized Callaway drivers. This Bertha was followed by the Great Big Bertha, the Biggest Big Bertha, and titanium Callaway drivers. 2003 brought the release of Great Big Bertha II and the Big Bertha 454 in 2004. At 454 cm3, Big Bertha 454 is only 6 cm3 shy of the PGA limit of 460 cm3.
Any Callaway review would have to include their extensive golf ball research and development. The company invested 170 million dollars in a state-of-the-art testing, design and manufacturing facility with the sole intent of making a better golf ball. Three years later, they designed a one-size-fits-all golf ball they named Rule 35. Rule 35 was the result of Callaway's experimentation with over 300 dimple patterns, more than a thousand types of ball cores and innumerable cover materials.
After promising a club for the people that would combine distance, forgiveness and feel, the RazR X irons were released. RAZR X irons have a lower, deeper center of gravity for distance and accuracy. Tests showed the RAZR X Irons to be 56% more accurate than a competitor's iron.
The new Diablo Edge stainless steel irons add distance without compromising feel or performance. Diablo Octane drivers and fairway woods pack extra power due to a maximized ball speed across the face. Their over-sized sweet spot allows better access, longer drives and more accuracy. The Diablo Octane Driver drives beyond its predecessor, the Diablo Edge Driver, by an average distance of 8 extra yards.
Professional golfers the world over endorse Callaway clubs. From Phil Mickelson and Stuart Appleby on the PGA tour to Vicky Hurst and Leta Lindley on the LPGA and Champions Tour champ Gary Player, pros love the brand and contribute positively to any Callaway review. Legendary champions Arnold Palmer and Annika Sorenstam have had commercial relationships with the company for many years. Even singer/actor golf fanatic Justin Timberlake is an endorser for the clubs.

Buy Yourself a Good Pair of Golf Shoes

One of the most important pieces of golf clothing you can own is a proper pair of golf shoes. Having the right pair of shoes can greatly affect your game and it can be the factor that either makes or breaks the game.

Golf shoes are a key piece of golf clothing you should invest in because golf is a sport that requires a lot of walking and standing around. Having a pair of comfortable and well fitting shoes will add to your comfort and make the game a lot more pleasurable. Another reason why you should have well fitting golf shoes is that it can affect your swing. Ill-fitting and uncomfortable shoes will affect the way you stand and therefore affect your swing.
When you are buying pair of shoes always keep in mind the conditions in which you will be playing in. If you are going to be playing in wet, damp, or muddy conditions then you should invest in a pair of shoes with cleats that will ensure that you have a solid grip and traction on the course. If you are going to be playing in mostly dry conditions, where the course is likely to be hard then the shoes you chose should have plastic spikes or dimples soles. If you are going to be playing in both conditions then it may be wise to invest in both a wet condition and a dry condition pair of shoes.
When buying new golf shoes the most important feature that you should look for is a comfortable fit as well as the correct size. You do not want to buy a pair of shoes that are too tight and pinching or a pair that is too large and loose. On the course, you do not want to be left distracted by a pair of ill-fitting and uncomfortable shoes.
The golf shoes that you choose should be of the highest quality and should have certain features that will enhance your performance and ensure your comfort on the course. One of the features that you should look for is waterproofing so that in wet or damp conditions your feet will be kept dry. Other features that are key to a good pair of golf shoes are good support and durability.
Like another piece of golf clothing, the style of golf shoe is a choice let up to you. Two styles are common in golf shoes; one is the traditional style of gold shoe that looks like the classic shoes. The other style is the trainer style shoe that gives a more modern look. You can choose the style which best suits the look which you want to convey.
Golf shoes are the most important piece of golf clothing and you should make sure you invest in a pair of the highest quality from reputed a manufacturer such as Foot joy Golf Clothing.

Be A Better Golfer

Have you ever wanted to play golf better? Maybe most of golf player will answer yes. But, after trying again and again, we still can’t improve ourselves effectively.
So, can you tell me what will make you a better golfer? Is that going out to hit hundreds of thousands of balls on the practice range? Of course not, in fact, it's the perfect golf practice that will make you a better golfer. While something we should remind you is that most golfers tend to believe that if they spend countless hours on the range, throw in a few lessons, that you'll be able to become just as good as some of the top pros in golf. I know I used to believe this.

Perfect golf practice, which is utilized by all the top golfers in the world, involves making the most out of your practice time by improving your game mentally. Great golfers will not go to the range primarily to work on their swing, but to train their minds to be able to carry over their range game to the golf course. How often have you hit the ball like a pro on the range, only to play like a Sunday hacker on the course? It's because you have not employed perfect golf practice.
Once you are able to shoot in the 80's, you most likely will have a golf swing good enough to be able to score in the 70's. The only thing holding you back now is your mental game. You need the right mental game to help you shoot lower consistently.
Have you ever shot a round in the 70s? If you regularly shoot in the 80s, or even the low 90s, you might already have had several rounds in the 70s. But can you do it consistently? Can you do it to beat that annoying co-worker who beats you regularly? Can you do it in tournaments, at outings, or in scrambles?

Perfect golf practice is not only knowing how to practice correctly on the range, but also about knowing how to practice your mental game correctly too. You need to learn how to stay positive at all times. This is very important as this will greatly affect your overall game and help you shoot lower scores.
However, most golfers have the habit of letting their last shot determine how their next shot will go. This is a horrible habit and you will need to change this with the proper mental training.
For perfect golf practice you will need to stay in the present and focus on being able to put all of your energy into that one shot that you have in mind. You must be totally committed to that shot.
If you can avoid letting bad shots affect how your next shot will go, you will greatly increase your chances of eliminating those dreaded "snowmen" or balloon scores. It will definitely help you lower your handicap quicker so that you can become that consistent 70s golfer, or even 80s player if you now shoot in the 90s or over 100.
Once you discover what perfect golf practice really is, it will take your game to a whole new level. Just remember that it all stems from your mind.


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What Is Important to Win The Golf Game

This article dwells into the importance of the golf club shaft in the game, and lists the most important considerations.
Steel or Graphite Golf Club Shaft?
The two most important parts of the golf club which can spell the difference between winning and losing are the head and the shaft. The shaft of the golf club connects the grip to the head. Most modern golf club shafts are made of either steel or graphite.
Most manufacturers rate their shafts in one of six degrees of stiffness. From least to most stiff these are: Ladies (L); Seniors (A); Regular (R); Firm (F); Extra Firm (X); and Stiff (S).
Most golfers prefer a shaft that is stiffer, and manufacturers can only oblige. If you make the shaft super stiff, however, you can begin to affect distance and strength negatively.
Then there's the difference between steel and graphite golf shafts. Generally, if you have back problems or not very confident with the strength of your swing or drive, you should stick with the graphite variety.
Graphite golf club shafts reduce the weight of your club (you can really feel the difference if you've used steel shafts before). They weigh between 50-85 grams, while their steel counterparts generally start at 120 grams. Graphite shafts reduce the shock at impact. They also allow for longer clubs. But remember, longer clubs are good for distance, not for control.
Aldila graphite shafts are highly recommended. Their durability is proven. If you're the type who prefers steel shafts, the most reliable brands are FM Precision, True Temper and Apollo. They are proven toughies in their class.

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Tiger Woods Forever!

Talking about golf, there are so many good players in the world who bring so much happy to us. But, to myself, there is a hero forever in my heart. Yes, it’s Tiger Woods.

In an interview that was conducted with Tiger Woods during his long absence from the game, he was asked who he thought was the best golfer in the world.

As his ranking was on the slide the – inference of the question was obvious, he was being asked to anoint his successor. Tiger looked perplexed, moving uncomfortably in his chair – somewhat perturbed by the audacity of the question. After pausing he answered in trade mark short sharp confidence, “when my swing is dialed in, I am”.

Having followed him on his final round of the Australian Open at the Lakes on Sunday, I am sure that he is right. I am also sure that he will win more majors, take back the number one ranking and probably even surpass Jack’s record of 18 major titles.

Tiger’s response, which he gave at the depths of his fall from grace says so much about the man and the reason why he currently holds 14 majors. He believes deeply in himself. Golf is played between the ears more than just about any other sport. Tiger dominated the game by dominating the mind. His troubles over the last few years have been both emotional and physical.

Obviously the break down of his marriage and his public persona has been a distraction but I do not believe that it has thwarted his confidence. Tiger would see his injuries and the changes they have necessitated in his swing as the major hurdle he has to overcome.

The support that he received from the galleries yesterday suggests that the golfing public is ready to forgive. Presidents, movie stars and other sportsmen have transgressed in the same way over the years and I think most people are willing to give him a second chance.

Golf is an amazing spectator sport for how close you are able to get to the stars. In other sports the masses are kept at bay by the huge ring fence of a stadium but out on the course you could literally touch them. Tiger has the swagger back. He walks with authority and purpose. His purpose is to be the greatest golfer of all time. For many years it looked like his destiny but it is now his challenge. Tiger walks like a man who is sure he is still, in golfing parlance, “the man”.

Tiger was pipped in the final round by the very focused and professional Greg Chalmers, who read the greens better than anyone over the tournament. Tiger’s drought continues but I doubt for too much longer.

You cannot forget that during this drought Tiger has had some very strong results including a fourth in this year’s Masters – the most prestigious of all tournaments.

Tiger’s main problem is his consistency off the tee. When he starts to find more fairways, the wins will come. He is close to regaining his form with the short-stick . Previously he did not miss from inside six feet – he is currently lipping out quite often but those putts will start to drop.

Tiger is only 35, which is relatively young for a golfer. His fellow professionals will see that the Tiger is slowly waking from his slumber and it is only a matter of time now before he will be feasting again.