by golfgurl on February 6, 2010
We’re only about six weeks away from the beginning of spring and the long hoped for start of the golf season here in the northeast. It’s time to consider fashion for the course. Guest author, Sarah Freeland, offers some timely advice.
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Women’s Golf Apparel – Play the Game in Style
By Sarah Freeland
The style of women’s golf apparel helps to add to the overall feel for their game. By recognizing the need for clothes that are versatile, a wide selection of clothes is offered, which is guaranteed to help you find the perfect gift for yourself and your other girlfriend golfers. All things that you would love to wear on the green.
From golf skirts to skorts and shorts, slacks and capris, women’s golf apparel is an ever-changing industry becoming increasingly customized for women golfers. The styles that are introduced along with the color choice and cuts have gradually become marketed especially for the women golf buyer.
Women’s golf apparel’s industry has changed within the year. Verdina, a new women’s golf apparel company created by top executives within the fashion world, has melded the importance of fashion with a functional feel for those wearing the apparel.
This increasingly growing trend within women’s golf apparel allows women to play the game in style. The increasingly use of femininity within the line helps to make each piece more detail-oriented. Women’s golf apparel is becoming more fashionable and flattering for every woman golfer.
While women golfers are a norm in today’s society, the guiding force in women’s golf equipment and women’s golf clothing industries is significant. The growing popularity of this sport with women has helped to expand demand for the equipment and apparel sold especially for woman golfers.
Companies have increasingly marketed toward the new buying market of women golfers —- offering women’s golf equipment and clothing especially designed for female golfers. This growing trend within women-oriented sports has helped to increase the popularity of the game. Thus, making golf a sport for both genders to enjoy playing all 18 holes.
Are you in the market for women’s golf apparel? Fore Her Golf carries golf clothing and accessories with a feminine appeal including polo shirts, skirts, shoes, hats and outerwear from top brands – also a great selection of unique golf gifts and memorabilia for the lady golfer in your life. ForeHerGolf.com is your source for women’s golf supplies and gifts, products reviews and recommendations as well as tips and training techniques. For more information on golfing and other recreational activities visit the golf directory.
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by golfgurl on February 4, 2010
Phil Mickelson is called for cheating, but Phil calls it “playing smart.”
The USGA sets the standards for equipment when playing golf and one of those standards is for groove configuration on irons. Unfortunately for manufacturer, Ping, their Ping Eye 2 wedges are considered to be non-conforming. They are square or “U” shaped and don’t meet the new standards for groove configuration. Apparently, they give an extra edge to the player who uses them. This issue blew up in the face of Tour player Phil Mickelson during the recent Farmer’s Insurance Open when he was challenged and called a cheater by one of the other members of the Tour, Scott McCarron, for using the 20-year-old club.
Mickelson would have none of it, reminding McCarron that the club was grandfathered in back in 1990 as part of a legal settlement Ping had filed against the USGA. Mickelson agreed that the grooves don’t conform to today’s standards, but as long as they are not banned, he will take advantage of any edge they can give him. It’s a loophole he intends to use.
Is this cheating, or just playing smart? It’s a hard call. The Ping club does give Mickelson an advantage and the USGA does allow it. So it’s probably playing smart. If the USGA changes its standards, (they are currently taking this issue under review,) things may change. And if the club is deemed to be illegal for tour play in the future, Mickelson will certainly comply. For now, he’s playing smart.
It’s a different story for the rest of us. With new equipment being manufactured all the time, it’s sometimes hard to know what is legal or not. You may not participate in tournaments but it’s still smart to be aware of what equipment is legal for your level of play. Check with your local PGA pro at your club if your’re not sure. Every year a new putter or driver or accessory claims to give the golfer that “extra edge.” Be sure it’s legal to use.
Here’s one we’re pretty certain would not make the cut: the Poly Max Extreme Pad. It’s a peel and stick pad you discreetly place on your club head. It absorbs some of the shock to the ball which reduces ball compression and delivers more energy to send the ball flying. One pad lasts about 18 holes. We think it’s illegal, but the manufacturer sells a lot of them.
Oversized drivers are another tool designed to beat the game. Tens of thousands are sold every year. You can even buy a wedge insert that increases your backspin to keep your ball from flying off the back of the green.
Would you play with “special” equipment? legal or not? Have you ever done it?
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For more information on the USGA implementation of New Rules Regarding Grooves, click here.
by golfgurl on February 2, 2010
If you’re looking for a challenge, look no further than Tobacco Road in Sanford, North Carolina! – Special Travel Packages Available!
This is one wild trip of a golf course. I played it a couple of years ago and it has got to be one of the most challenging but totally fun courses I have ever played. Ranked #4 public course by Golf World, it was built on an old sand pit, and every fairway is surrounded by oversized bunkers. More often than not you are hitting from sand onto very narrow fairways. (Local rules allow you to ground your club in the sand which gives some relief, but otherwise normal rules apply.) It’s easy to lose your confidence on this course. Every shot, and I mean every shot is a challenge. During our round, the course rangers often stopped to give us advice as to where to hit the next ball to greatest advantage. Nothing was obvious or easy to calculate. One ranger observed, “This course was designed by Mike Strantz, a great guy, but a little unconventional. We all think he was smoking something other than cigarettes when he designed this course!” I could not agree more.
From their website “If you are looking for golf that is breath-taking, exhilarating and fascinating you need look no further than the great Tobacco Road. The magnificent beauty of our course has led to many accolades. We guarantee your trip around The Road will be an unforgettable experience, and the highlight of your golfing year. You will want to bring your camera to capture forever the scenic beauty of Tobacco Road. You¹ll also want to bring along your best game as this thrilling course will test you to your golfing limits.”
Right now, Tobacco Road is offering a special travel package: 3 Rounds and 2 Nights for only $433 / person. This is a great deal. If you’ve got the time, and you want a challenge, then make this trip happen. You will not be disappointed. Click here for more details.
… And for those of you who have played Tobacco Road — any advice is welcome!
by golfgurl on January 31, 2010
Here are some first steps to take if you are just beginning to learn the game of golf.
You’ve watched your friends or your spouse take off weekend after weekend for the golf course. It seems to be a lot of fun and now you are ready to “test the waters.” That’s great news. But before you take the leap, here are a few things you might consider before you hit the links.
- What should be your first step? Start off slow. Do NOT head for the golf course until you have been to a local practice facility first. Borrow a club or two from your friends and ask them to go with you to the driving range. Practice hitting a few balls first, then head over to the putting green and just see how it feels to putt a few.
- Should you let your friends or spouse teach you, or get lessons from a pro? It’s always good to have a patient friend teach you a few things when you are first getting started. But learning how to play golf involves a long learning curve and most friends and/or spouse don’t have the patience to walk you through all the steps required from proper grip to full swing essentials. Once you know you really do want to invest time in learning the game, find a professional instructor to teach you the ropes. Their objectivity will serve you well.
- Do you recommend getting fitted for clubs when you are just learning the game? This is a tough question to answer. If you play with the wrong clubs, those you “inherited” from friends or family, or bought on e-bay or craig’s list, it’s possible you will have trouble feeling good about your game. Clubs have different weights, differences in shaft flexibility, overall balance, length— and it’s unlikely clubs you got from your Aunt Ethel will match you perfectly. That being said, however, getting fitted for your own clubs is a very expensive proposition. As an interim solution I recommend you go to your local sports center or golf store and ask them to measure you for a set of beginner’s golf clubs. Use them for a year or so and if you still want to invest in the game, then consider getting fitted by a professional fitter.
- Should you play with your spouse when you are just beginning to learn the game of golf? This question gets mixed answers. For some, playing with their spouse is a great way to spend time together. For others, it is the wrong move especially if that person is constantly reminding you of what you are doing wrong, correcting every swing, or just losing patience with your slow play. You might find it easier to play with friends of the same ability, someone who will be patient and help you build confidence in your game. When you have gained that confidence, then go out and play a round with your spouse.
- Do you recommend joining a golf club? A great way to get to learn the game, get some great instruction and begin to network with other beginning players, is to join your local golf club. Many clubs have clinics for beginners and leagues that meet regularly. Get to know the pros in the club house, take a lesson or two and ask for their advice. It’s a great way to begin.
by golfgurl on January 29, 2010
If you’re a woman golfer, what do you look for in a golf course?
Every golf course wants to be successful and attract new players. It isn’t easy. Maintaining a golf course takes a lot of work and a great deal of money. It’s not just a matter of keeping the fairways mowed and the sand bunkers clear of rocks. Beyond the constant attention to the detailed upkeep, golf course personnel have to consistently deal with the public in a friendly and welcoming manner. Anything less will certainly not help with the bottom line.
The fastest growing segment of golfers today is women between the ages of 18 – 28. Golf courses seeking to attract this up and coming segment of the golfing public need to be aware of some essentials that will help make their club more “woman friendly.” And women golfers should be on the lookout to support those clubs that make the effort to attract women golfers.
“Woman Friendly” features might include:
- Thoughtful placement of women’s tees, benches, ball cleaners, etc. on the course
- Women’s locker room or rest area
- Women’s League
- Women’s Clinics
- Woman golf instructor, LPGA
- Tournaments and other special events
- Special discounts for women or special play days
- A good selection of women’s clothing, shoes and accessories in the pro shop
These are just a few of the features that help attract and keep women golfers as members of a golf club. Sometimes the features are obvious, some might be more obscure. Golf clubs looking to improve their “woman friendly” atmosphere, should provide the opportunity for their members and visitors to review their course on a regular basis, listening to constructive feedback especially from the women players. More than likely the improvements targeted for the women players will benefit the men as well.
What features are you looking for in a golf course?
by golfgurl on January 26, 2010
Every golfer wants to improve their putting. In the game of golf it’s always the short game that makes or breaks your game. Here are five great tips to practice before you go out for your next round of golf.
1. Practice putting with your eyes closed. Sounds crazy but it works. First, study the green as you usually do, estimate the distance to the hole, then address the ball as you usually do. Take a practice swing to get a feel for the stroke you need to play. Be certain your eyes are right over the ball, then close them and putt to the hole. Don’t open your eyes until you hear the ball drop or you feel it has stopped. (Annika Sörenstam often used this technique to improve her feel for distance and touch.)
2. Practice putting using only your right hand (for right hand golfers) or only your left hand (for left hand golfers). This will help you with developing the correct grip pressure for a smooth stroke. Too much pressure and the face of the club will move off the “square to the ball” position that’s required.
3. Focus on putting distance. One great practice routine is to set up three tees between your ball and the hole, each equidistant apart. (Doesn’t matter the total distance. This routine works for both long and short putts). Practice putting five balls to each distance to get a feel for the correct stroke / distance ratio.
4. Trouble with long putts? Try putting while looking at the hole instead of your ball. Set up as you usually do, then look at the hole and make your stroke. It’s surprising how your body will know just how hard to strike the ball.
5. Practice for two putts but expect one putts. Golf is a mental game. Focus and believe that your putts will go in. Three putts are not even on your radar!
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