The Stress of Competitive Junior Golf on Young Players

Adults face a myriad of different stressors on any given day - family, work, financial, health etc. Since most of our junior golfers don't have to deal with these issues, it can be easy to sometimes forget the stressors of both being a teenager in general and a competitive junior golfer. The stress of the modern day teenager is beyond the scope of this article, but I would like to address how the world of junior golf can be a source of stress for our kids, and offer some potential techniques and suggestions to help them deal with it.

Stress has many definitions, but for our purposes we will focus on how our junior golfer experiences and internalizes the conditions (real or imagined) of golf, and how it affects him/her both on and off the golf course. All kids are unique, so what might cause stress for one, will not even be noticed by his friend. However, there are a few common issues that I see with a large percentage of junior golfers:

Putting pressure on themselves to play to a high levelFeeling pressure from their parents to play to a high level (not intentional by the parents). The physical and mental demands of practice. Less time to spend with friends

It is important to discuss these topics (and any others that you suspect) with your junior golfer, and assist them in relieving the stress in productive and healthy ways, before they become a problem that manifests itself in physical symptoms. The symptoms of "stress overload" in juniors can include irritability, anger, sadness (even to the point of tears), signs of depression, isolation, a drop in school performance, etc.

Here are a few options for stress relief:

1. Visualization - there are many techniques that help juniors to relax and begin to recognize that despite how it may seem, everything will be OK. These include guided sessions that they can listen to daily on Cd or MP3s with their headsets.

2. Positive Self-Talk - negative self-talk is common among juniors, and can be very destructive. Teach your junior to be kind to themselves.

3. Deep Breathing - shallow "chest breathing" creates tension in the neck and shoulders. Teach your junior to breath with the diaphragm (into the belly).

4. Ensuring proper nutrition, hydration and sleep (8-10 hours a night!)

Recognizing the source of the stress and talking about it is the first vital step. Then you can work with your junior golfer on ways to feel better, play better and enjoy the sport.

Stephen Ladd is the president of Renegade Golf, a company dedicated to helping golfers improve through golf specific programs and comprehensive training methods, including Golf Strength and Conditioning, Holistic Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching, and Cutting-Edge Psychology. He is recognized as an industry leader, having worked with close to 6,000 golfers in 39 different countries. Stephen holds national certifications as a golf fitness trainer with several organizations including The Titleist Performance Institute and the C.H.E.K Institute Golf Performance Coaching Program. To discover more about his Golf Training For Juniors System and a Free Report - Busted: The Top 5 Myths of Junior Golf Training, visit: http://www.golftrainingforjuniors.com/

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USGA - Rate the Red Tees For Men

Earlier this year, the USGA and the PGA of America had a campaign to encourage golfers to play from the set of tees that are appropriate to their level of skill. I hope it went well, because the whole point was to make golf more fun and easier to play. What few male golfers know is that the right tees might be the red ones.

For years, the red tees have been called the Ladies' Tees. They're for short-hitting women. This needs to stop, or rather, become more inclusive. There are some short-hitting men out there, too. In general, if you can't drive the ball more than 200 yards, you should be playing from the reds. The other tees present a course that is too long for you.

Even if you can hit the ball farther than 200 yards with a driver, but are pretty wild with it, you can play from the shorter tees, hit something off the tee that will keep the ball in play, shoot a better score, and... have more fun.

But some (actually, many) men feel that their manhood would come into question if they played from the red tees, even if they are hacks from the next set longer. Their loss, I'm afraid.

There is another reason why men won't play from the red tees, and that is there is no course rating for men, at least as far as I have ever seen. Look at the scorecards of the courses you play. There will be an M and L rating for the white tees, maybe the blues, but the reds only have an L rating. That means if a man plays from them, his score can't be turned in for handicap purposes.

It's not that playing from the red tees will make a 90-shooter a scratch golfer, either. It might lower their score by four strokes. You might get the ball up the green quicker, but you still have to get the ball in the hole. The red tees make the game easier, but not that much easier. I know. I play from the red tees with my grandson, and I shoot only two strokes better for nine holes than I normally do.

And, having only an L rating perpetuates the myth that the reds are "Ladies'" tees. Look right there on the scorecard -- L for ladies. What could be plainer?

So I'm calling on the USGA to encourage local rating organizations to establish course ratings for men at the red tees. If this body wants people to play from the right tees, then all barriers need to be removed, and this one is in the USGA's purview. I'm even thinking of forming a committee to rate the red tees for men as soon as I can think of a title that lends itself to a catchy acronym.

In the meantime, if you want to have some fun, play a round from the red tees. You'll hit different clubs, see a different course, and shoot a lower score, which is always good for the ego.

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Learn And Maintain Proper Golf Alignment To Help Your Golf Swing Path

Golf alignment is a fundamental of the golf swing setup and it is very important if you want to have a swing that is consistent and on the proper golf swing path. Misalignment with the golf setup, on the other hand, can cause errant golf shots due to swing path problems.

There are a few helpful tips which will get your golf alignment on track so you can hit straighter golf shots. First of all, when we talk about alignment in the golf setup, we are referring to the clubface, the feet, hips, shoulders, and even the forearms. As you setup to the ball, everything should be parallel to your target line with regards to your body. The clubface should be facing your target or where you want the ball to start out after impact.

It's helpful in your preshot routine and as you set up to the golf ball to first align your clubface as you set it directly behind the ball. Once you've set the club head down, then it's time to get your feet and the rest of your body square. The goal for correct golf alignment is to get everything parallel with your target line of where you want the ball to start after you've hit it.

It's easy for a golfer to get misaligned without even being aware of it. It's a good idea to check your alignment from time to time and even work on it at the driving range every so often. A great way to work on alignment at the range is to lay a club down on the ground in between your feet and the ball so that it is parallel with your target line. Then you can check your feet so that they are each the same distance away from the golf club. This drill will get your feet in alignment and it is then just a matter of squaring up your hips and shoulders so that they are over your feet and aligned in the same direction.

To check the alignment of your shoulders or your hips, just get in your setup position and then take a club and put it across the line of your shoulders and hips while maintaining your posture. You then want to look and see if the club points just parallel of your target. If it's not you can make the adjustment and get everything square. This will really help you start the club on the correct path and promote swinging the club on a good path especially in and near the impact zone. Good golf alignment will help your swing path and get your hitting better golf shots.

Start playing better golf today with our Golf Swing System. The Golf Swing Genius is a top golf instructor who has developed a golf swing system for golfers of all levels. Visit our website for more easy and effective Golf Swing Tips.

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Ladies Golf Clubs - What Fits You Best

Ladies golf clubs are typically lighter in total weight, shorter in shaft height, more flexible, with smaller grips than men's golf clubs. With the advent of the LPGA, Ladies Professional Golf Association, in 1950, ladies golf clubs have become much more commonplace in the marketplace.

Manufacturing Technologies

The technologies used in crafting the best ladies golf clubs are the same as for men's clubs; this fact creates an even playing course for both genders. However, due to a lady's smaller physical build and correlating lack of muscle strength (generally speaking, of course), ladies golf clubs are lighter, thus playing to a slower swing speed. The ladies can get the most out of their clubs if they do, indeed, buy clubs made for the ladies.

Ladies Grips

Typically, ladies hands are smaller and more delicate than men's hands; therefore, ladies grips have a smaller diameter, to ensure proper physical contact with clubs and a comfortable swing. Grips are a very important aspect of ladies clubs, as well as men's, due to the fact that this is the point of contact between the golfer and her club. Properly sized, no-slip grips should be used.

Ladies Irons

Ladies Iron golf clubs are more flexible, i.e. they bend, and have a weightier clubhead than men's. Although the total club weight is lighter than men's clubs, the heavier and larger clubhead, along with a more flexible shaft, are designed to maximize a woman's slower swing speed. Women are literally empowered with a stronger swing and hit with the above combination. (Some men enjoy using ladies Iron golf clubs because they, too, can achieve more swing power.)

Women's Woods

The typical ladies Wood clubs contain a higher-angled loft and weigh less than men's Woods. In addition, ladies Wood golf clubs come in a larger size range. Ladies Woods go up as far as a 13-Wood; this particular club can replace a long Iron due to how easy it is to hit with.

Women's Drivers

Ladies Driver clubs allow women to gain more distance, speed and a higher trajectory on the ball by beginning the loft angles at 12 degrees, versus a man's 9 to 11 degrees. The higher loft angle projects the ball upward, off the tee, and into the air more easily. This, combined with a more flexible shaft and lighter total weight of the club make the ladies strong on the golf course, from their very first hit.

Pastel Colors

Female golfers have many choices in the ladies golf club world; not only for brand names, off-brand names, angles of loft and lie, shaft length and flex, and grips. The ladies have a wider variety of color for grips and shafts from which to choose. This fact does not necessarily improve one's game; it simply allows women to express themselves in a more colorful kind of way.

If you are a lady golfer and need more information, or if you are looking to buy a club set for your wife or your girlfriend, you may find more information about cheap ladies golf clubs by following this link. Cheap doesn't mean they are cheap in quality. You will be able to find a better club set for a competitive price.

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Is Your Golf Course Receptive To Ladies Golf?

Let's face it, golf has always been more of a male dominated sport. More and more, however, women are taking an interest in the game of golf. Ladies golf has increased tremendously over the past few years as it has become easier and more acceptable for us to get into it. And why shouldn't we? After all, what could be more pleasurable than being outside enjoying the beautiful scenery while spending time socializing with friends?

There are still men out there who have the viewpoint that ladies golf should be nonexistent. We will not let them intimidate us as, though, as these are the types of men that we want to avoid whether it is golf related or not. Many of the golf courses today not only welcome us but have agenda set up to encourage women golfers. Ladies golf programs are popping up all over the place to get more women involved.

Here are a few tips to help determine if a golf course is female friendly:

·Check to see if they have a ladies golf league. Whether or not you are interested in joining at this time is not the main purpose. This will help to determine if the course supports and encourages women golfers.

· Ask if they have group lessons available for women. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player you will be grouped with your level of players. It is a less expensive way to take lessons and you get the advantage of meeting lady golfers playing at your level AND improving your game.

·Check to see if they have other activities geared specifically for women. Some clubs have tournaments and events for women even if they do not have a ladies golf league.

·Do they have a woman pro on staff? Often times if they do she will be more involved in and eager to get ladies golf programs and agenda set up and maintained within the club.

Keep in mind that you do not necessarily have to join a golf club or country club to find golf courses that take an interest in ladies golf. There are many public courses that have ladies golf leagues and offer group lessons. Often times these clubs will be more laid back and accepting of woman and beginner golfers.

Another way to find out more about ladies golf is through golf associations. There are several ladies golf associations and many of them have chapters all throughout the United States and more. Your best bet is to do an internet search for "woman's golf associations" and see what comes up. One of the largest is EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association). They have chapters all over the United States and internationally, and will most likely have one near your home town.

Golf is a wonderful sport for ladies. We enjoy the camaraderie and relationships of new women we're just meeting as well as old time friends. It's all about going out and having fun; making it a positive experience. So boo to any club that doesn't want us....we have better places to play!

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The Latest in Golf Equipments

If you're an avid golfer, you know there's no stopping technology and engineering in developing the latest in golf equipments. Golfers will seek out any new technology that can help them shave strokes from their golf score and improve their handicap. Shooting out of the rough is one of the challenges golfers' faces that can dramatically improve, or devastate, a player's golf game.

The material engineers, technicians and golf scientists at ProTouch golf have come up with an amazing advance in golf equipments, the ProTouch Wedge. For less than $100, the 56 degree and 60 degree wedges are available to smash through the stroke barrier that's been keeping you from your best game. Both pieces of these equipments will cost you less than $150.

If you were worried about tweaking your stance and distorting your golf swing in the rough or in a bunker, because you were using equipment that was designed before 1940, this company takes the equipment technology leap straight into the 21st century. It features patented Sole Channel technology. The Sole Channel technology has little or no resistance when your club contacts the ball. Most wedges stall at this point, potentially throwing the ball off course, and you know about what happens after that.

Its Sole Channel technology creates channels that allow grass, soil, sand and air to travel through the club, enabling its surface to smoothly glide under the ball. It is a piece of modern golf equipment that allows you to maintain your proper stance and swing even in rough environments. This is unheard of in golf clubs and wedges of the past.

It is your short game's secret weapon, and it's affordable too. With its advantage in golf, you won't be in danger of shanking or doffing your ball in the rough. Think about the strokes this equipmentwill take off your score right away! The majority of golfers who've already used the ProTouch Wedge say this affordable piece of golf club saved those about ten strokes per round. Engineering design, material and knowledge of how real people play golf has improved the ProTouch Wedge to give you the extra advantage when shooting from bunkers, in sand and out of the rough - even in the roughest golf course circumstances and situations.

It has made incredible technological advancement in materials. Shock your foursome by getting one or both of the ProTouch Wedges and suddenly hitting shots out of the rough with your normal stance and no wasted strokes. The ProTouch Wedge is a legal piece of golf club approved by the USGA. At less than $100, or $150 for both pieces of golf clubs, it is affordable and it also brings success for those rough, tough inside shots that can improve your score immediately.

The 56 and 60 degree ProTouch Wedges are affordable, innovative new technology in golf clubs. For more information and reviews on golf clubs visit us at MyReviewsNow.Net

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Stages Involved In Learning To Play Golf Well

Golf is a challenging game to learn. There are few golfers who do not find themselves both surprised and a little frustrated by its complexities.

One's first thought is that it really should not be too difficult to play golf. You are after all simply aiming to hit a ball with an appropriate implement and direct that ball along a fairway. And eventually you have to get it into a hole, again using an appropriate club.

You soon realize that you initial thoughts were a little simplistic. That ball turns out to be more difficult to hit that it first appeared. It's all too easy to take aim and just hit fresh air, completely missing the ball. You begin to appreciate that a little work will be required to get that ball moving at all, let alone sending it flying in the right direction.

And so most people spend a fair amount of time struggling away on the range until that ball begins to respond in the way you wish it to. Probably every golfer will acknowledge that to take some lessons at this early stage of the game is a very wise move indeed. You thereby learn good techniques from the start, and that helps a lot. There are easier and harder ways in which to swing a golf club and you may as well ingrain techniques that are easier and more superior.

This stage of learning to play golf is mechanical and technique oriented. It involves practice and repetition. And eventually you are rewarded by being able to hit the ball further and straighter along the fairway. You feel great as you begin to think that you can play this pesky game after all.

Yet as soon as you think that thought, another challenge appears within this game called golf. You begin to realize that your mind can play tricks on you. You learn to appreciate the need to tame your mind and dial in your focus. You have to control your emotions. The mental game of golf is a game in itself, within the game of golf.

Once you gain a little mastery of the mental game of golf you have yet another stage of the game to traverse. To play golf well you need to employ your creativity. You have to be able to see a shot and follow your instincts to find a way in which to create the shot that you have seen.

Arguably this is part of the mental game, as you see the shot in your mind's eye and then set about creating it. In fact what is happening is that your mental and creative focus triggers in you the ability to explore and develop further in your technical ability. Your play becomes less "robotic" and more creative.

Think Seve here, and you'll appreciate what I am saying. Your ability to see a shot clearly allows you to improve and hone in your technique. The task you set in your mind leads you to develop new and greater technique. It leads you to "feel" your golf shots.

You can see when a golfer truly feels their shots. You can see the focus upon their face as they take their practice swing, feeling how the club head brushes the grass, taking a few swings until they have that perfect feel. And then they set up to the ball and feel that same swing repeat itself again.

And so the stages of learning to play golf naturally feed from one to the next. You learn your basic technique and then you start to focus and get your mind on side. You start to see your shots and develop your creative mind to set tasks which further develop your technique and eventually you really feel your shots.

Golf is a wonderful game to learn and to play in innumerable ways. It is very challenging but at the same time enormously rewarding. And there is always more to learn!

Roseanna Leaton, avid golfer and specialist in golf hypnosis mp3s and author of the GolferWithin golf mind training system.

P.S. Discover how to focus your golf mind, become more creative and develop better feel and technique through your mind. Check out my website now.

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Putter Headweight - What Is Ideal or Is It Just a Matter of Personal Opinion?

The putter headweight is important to the feel of your putter. It can lead to your putter feeling too head heavy, too light, or just right.

A putter is assembled from three component parts: the putter head, the shaft, and the grip. In manufacture the maker decides the weight of the putter head, the corresponding shaft length, and the type of grip. The balance between these parts can be measured by calculating the putter's swingweight on a swingweight scale.

Unfortunately the assembled putter that you buy may not fit you and may require some modification. However, when you do this, for example, by shortening the putter length or by fitting an oversize grip, you change the original factory swingweight.

The importance of the actual number on the swingweight scale is debatable. This is because your putter is a one-off club and doesn't have to be matched to the other clubs in your set. However, club maker Ralph Maltby recommends that a putter should measure between C8 and D6. Below C8 he considers too light, above D6 too heavy.

I decided to check the swingweight of some of the putters that golfers at my club use. I tested 67 putters of different makes and models ranging from Odyssey to Ping to Scotty Cameron to TaylorMade. The range of swingweights stretched from C3 to E9. This was not surprising as the swingweight of a putter is primarily driven by the putter length and the weight of its head. A number of the putters had been cut down, and a few had oversize grips.

Scotty Cameron appears to be the only maker that includes the swingweight of his putters in the list of specifications. He changes the head weight according to the length of the putter - and this combination of length and putter head weight is shown as a swingweight range.

The standard length of an off-the-rack putter is 35 inches. Some manufacturers offer shorter lengths, but often do this without increasing the weight of the putter head. This will have the effect of making the putter head feel lighter.

A number of putters now have adjustable weights in the sole of the putter. This allows you to add or subtract weight. It is certainly more convenient that using lead tape.

The trend in putter design is to offer the customer more options, moving in the direction of shorter shaft lengths and heavier putter head weighting. That said, the feel of a putter is personal and its feel can also be influenced by the ball you play and if there is an insert in the putter head.

Should you worry about your weight of your putter head? This depends on you and what feels just right, remembering, of course, that there is no one best swingweight or putter headweight.

To read more about swingweight go to my web site and enter 'swingweight' in the Google Search.

Neville Walker has a passion for golf and is actively involved in researching information on all aspects of Putting and Putter Technology. His dedicated web site http://www.better-golf-by-putting-better.com/ is written specifically to help fellow golfers achieve greater success on the green with the flat stick.

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Rescue Your Game With a Golf Swing Training Aid

Golf is a game that should always be fun, but quite often for the frustrated golfer, it is far from enjoyable. The game becomes more tedious than pleasant when a golfer feels that he just can't seem to play any better.

You are certain that you are doing everything perfect, but for some reason your drives are not long or accurate. Every once in a while, you get lucky, but you wish your game was more consistent. If this sounds like your story, then a golf swing training aid could really be quite beneficial to you.

A number of golfers don't even bother to practice anymore. For a while they practiced every chance they got, but then they became frustrated when their efforts did not result in a better game. If you are practicing poor mechanics, then you certainly are not going to improve your golf swing.

All you're doing by repeating the same mistakes is teaching your body the wrong way to perform. Unfortunately after a while, the muscles you use in your golf swing will find it difficult to respond any other way. This will make it even harder for you to improve your golf game.

The easiest way to correct your swing faults is with the assistance of a golf swing tutorial. When you work on your game with an aid of this sort, you can instantly begin to eliminate the bad habits of your swing form. Using the golf swing training aid as a guide, you can replace the flaws with strong, solid motions that improve your swing. In time, your muscles will become so accustomed to the proper golf swing, that they will have a problem performing any other way.

Rescuing your golf game has never been easier because of all the technological advances. So many creative and engaging products are available because the demand for great golf training aids is huge. As a result, companies are continuously striving to respond to these demands with newer and better goods. When they are successful in creating popular products, these firms see a huge increase in their profits.

If you can afford to do so, you should work with a golf instructor face-to-face. The advantage of doing this is that you will have a person who can observe your swing motions and hopefully be able to identify your flaws during the movements.

Of course your instructor will work with you to improve your swing, but they can also help you better your game by suggesting a top-notch golf swing training aid that can help you take your game to the next level. If working with a golf expert is out of the question, you also have the option of turning to any friends and family members who play the game of golf very well.

The best way for you to observe your own golf swing performance is by watching a videotape of you practicing your swing. Using a slow motion feature to review the tape, you should be able to see some of the errors in your game. Once you have identified the flaws in your swing, you will be able to take full advantage of a golf swing training aid.

Learn more about Improving Your Golf Swing and claim your Free Special Report which is just packed full of related articles, product reviews and fun survey. See more related articles by Emily Diaz at Golf Swing Reviews.

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Release The Club, the Wrist's Special Function

The golf swing is a complicated function of the shoulders as well as the other areas of the body that come into play during the swing. It is important to understand that each aspect of the swing is important in its own right. However, some of the functions such as the weight shift/hip turn, transition at the top, and take away, to mention a few, rely mainly on feel. Many of the areas of the swing rely on a certain amount of innate athletic ability. There is really no way to "teach" these functions except to suggest certain feelings the golfer should feel or certain exercises to produce the desired feeling. Teachers tend to use trial and error methods using different techniques to produce the same result.

However, there are some aspects of the golf swing that aren't difficult to convey and can easily be understood and easily taught. That's not to say that they are easy to do. It's also hard to remember numerous different movements and to train your body to do them in a swing that is systematic, smooth, and flowing with good tempo. Therefore, certain aspects of the golf swing must be practiced in a way so that they can be incorporated into the swing without really thinking about them.

One part of the golf swing that may be learned easily is the proper wrist release. First, it is necessary to clear up some misunderstandings about how the golfer should release the club. Some writings on the golf swing seem to suggest that the wrist release is a matter of "rolling the wrists". The wrists and ultimately the club are not released by rolling the wrists. Although the wrists in fact do roll during the golf swing.

Prior to impact with the ball the wrists release into the ball which is commonly referred to by the term "release the club". However, it's very important that the wrists release properly. The wrists and club must release much like the way a fisherman would cast a fishing pole. Take a couple of practice casts with an imaginary fishing pole to get the feeling. Then observe your wrist and forearm as you practice this move. Notice how the back of the wrists and the back of the forearm are on the same plane as you cast the pole. This is the same way the wrists release when striking the ball. The release is much more of an up and down movement than it is a side to side movement. It is critical to understand this as any deviation from the proper wrist release will cause a "slapped" shot and not a downward thrust into the ball and through the turf. There are numerous training aids that can help the golfer perform a proper wrist release. Greg Norman endorses one that should do the trick.

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