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2011-01-04T01:18:00.000-08:00

Golf ball

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A golf ball is a ball designed to be used in the game of golf.

A golf ball beside a hole

Under the Rules of Golf, a golf ball weighs no more than
1.620 oz (45.93 grams), has a diameter not less than 1.680 in
(42.67 mm), and performs within specified velocity, distance, and symmetry limits.
Like golf clubs, golf balls are subject to testing and approval by the
Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the United States Golf Association,
and those that do not conform with regulations may not be used in competitions

History

Wooden balls were the first used golf balls until the early 17th century, when the featherie ball added
a new and exciting feature to the game of golf. A featherie is a hand sewn leather pouch stuffed withchicken or
goose feathers and coated with paint.
Enough feathers to fill a top hat were boiled and placed in the pouch.
As the ball cooled, the feathers would expand and the hide would shrink,
making a compact ball. If there were openings in the cowhide, stitchings were used to close them up.

Due to its superior flight characteristics,
the featherie remained the standard ball for more than two centuries.
Despite this there were drawbacks.
An experienced ball maker could only make a few balls in one day, so they were expensive.
A single ball would cost between 2 shillings and sixpence and 5 shillings,
which is the equivalent of 10 to 20 US dollars today.^[1] Also,
it was hard to make a perfectly spherical ball, and because of this, the ball often flew irregularly.
When playing in wet weather,
the stitches in the ball would rot, and the ball could split open after hitting a hard surface.

In 1848, the Rev. Dr Robert Adams Paterson
(sometimes spelt Patterson) invented the gutta-percha ball (or guttie).^[2]^[3]
The gutta was created from dried sap of a Sapodilla Tree.
The sap had a rubber-like feel and could be made round by heating and shaping it while hot.
Accidentally,
it was discovered that defects in the sphere from knicks and scrapes of normal use,
could provide a ball with a truer flight than a pure sphere. Thus,
makers started creating intentional defects in the surface by
hammering the ball to give it an evenly dimpled shape which
would cause the ball to have a more consistent ball flight.
Because gutties were cheaper to produce and could be
manufactured with textured surfaces to improve their aerodynamic qualities,
they replaced feather balls completely within a few years.^[4]

In the 20th century,
multi-layer balls were developed, first as wound balls consisting of
a solid or liquid-filled core wound with a layer of rubber thread and a thin outer shell.
This idea was first discovered by Coburn Haskell of Cleveland, Ohio in 1898.
Haskell had driven to nearby Akron to keep a golf date with Bertram Work, then superintendent of B.F.
Goodrich.
While he waited for Work at the plant, Haskell idly wound a long rubber thread into a ball.
When he bounced the ball, it flew almost to the ceiling.
Work suggested Haskell put a cover on the creation, and that was the birth of the 20th century golf ball.
The design allowed manufacturers to fine-tune the length, spin and "feel" characteristics of balls.
Wound balls were especially valued for their soft feel, and continued to be popular until the early years
of the 21st century.^[5]

Modern balls usually consist of several layers of various synthetic materials like surlyn or urethane blends.
They are usually classified as two-piece, three-piece,
or four-piece ball according to the number of layers. They come in a great variety
of playing characteristics to suit the needs of golfers of different abilities.

Regulations

The current regulations mandated by the R&A and the USGA state that diameter of the
golf ball cannot be any smaller than 1.680 inches.
The maximum velocity of the ball may not exceed 250 feet per second (76 m/s)
under test conditions and the weight of the ball may not exceed 1.620 ounces.

Until 1990, it was permissible to use balls of no less than
1.62 inches in diameter in tournaments under the jurisdiction of the R&A

Aerodynamics

When a golf ball is hit, the impact, which lasts less than a millisecond, determines the ball’s velocity, launch angle and spin rate, all of which influence its trajectory (and its behavior when it hits the ground).

A ball moving through air
experiences two major aerodynamic forces,
lift and drag. Dimpled balls fly farther than non-dimpled balls due to the combination of two effects:

First, the dimples on the surface of a golf ball cause the boundary layer on the upstream
side of the ball to transition from laminar to turbulent.
The turbulent boundary layer is able to remain attached to the surface of
the ball much longer than a laminar boundary and so creates a narrower, low pressure,
wake and hence less pressure drag. The reduction in pressure drag causes the ball to travel further.

Second, backspin generates lift by deforming the airflow around the ball,
in a similar manner to an airplane wing.
This is called the Magnus effect.
Backspin is imparted in almost every shot due to the golf club's loft
(i.e., angle between the clubface and a vertical plane).
A backspinning ball experiences an upward lift force
which makes it fly higher and longer than a ball without spin.[1]
Sidespin occurs when the clubface is not aligned perpendicularly to the direction of swing,
leading to a lift force that makes the ball curve to one side or the other.
Unfortunately the dimples magnify this effect as well as
the more desirable upward lift derived from pure backspin.
(Some dimple designs are claimed to reduce sidespin effects.)

To keep the aerodynamics optimal, the golf ball needs to be clean,
in order to avoid any impediments to the aerodynamic effect of the ball.
Thus, it is advisable that golfers frequently wash balls. Golfers can wash balls manually,
but mechanical ball washers are also available.

Design

These two balls are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,560,168. These two balls are easily made with a two-piece mould. Since there is no dimple located on any of the slash-dotted circles (one is marked red), the mould can be two hemispheres.

Dimples first became a feature of golf balls when English engineer and manufactuer
William Taylor registered a patent for a dimple design in 1905.
Other types of patterned covers were in use at about the same time,
including one called a "mesh" and another named the "bramble",
but the dimple became the dominant design due to "the superiority of the dimpled cover in flight".^[7]

Most golf balls on sale today have about 250 – 450 dimples, though there have been balls with more than 500 dimples^{[citation needed]}. The record holder was a ball with
1,070 dimples — 414 larger ones (in four different sizes) and 656 pinhead-sized ones.
All brands of balls, except one, have even-numbered dimples^{[citation needed]}. The only odd-numbered ball on the market is a ball with 333 dimples, called the Srixon AD333^{[citation needed]}.

Officially sanctioned balls are designed to be as symmetrical as possible.
This symmetry is the result of a dispute that stemmed from the Polara,
a ball sold in the late 1970s that had six rows of normal dimples
on its equator but very shallow dimples elsewhere.
This asymmetrical design helped the ball self-adjust
its spin-axis during the flight. The USGA refused to sanction it for tournament play and, in 1981,
changed the rules to ban aerodynamic asymmetrical balls.
Polara's producer sued the USGA and the association paid US$1.375 million in a 1985 out-of-court settlement.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office's patent database is a good source of past dimple designs.
Most designs are based on Platonic solids such as icosahedron.

Golf balls are usually white, but are available in other high visibility colors,
which helps with finding the ball when lost or when playing in low-light or frosty conditions.
As well as bearing the makers name or logo, balls are usually
printed with numbers or other symbols to help players identify their ball.

Selection

There are many types of golf balls on the market, and customers often face a difficult decision.
Golf balls are divided into two categories:
recreational and advanced balls. Recreational balls are oriented toward the ordinary golfer,
who generally have low swing speeds (80 miles per hour or lower) and lose golf balls on the course easily.
These balls are made of two layers,
with the cover firmer than the core.
Their low compression and side spin reduction characteristics
suit the lower swing speeds of average golfers quite well.
Furthermore, they generally have lower prices than the advanced balls.

Advanced balls are made of multiple layers (three or more),
with a soft cover and firm core.
They induce a greater amount of spin from lofted shots (wedges especially),
as well as a sensation of softness in the hands in short-range shots. However,
these balls require a much greater swing speed that only the physically strong players could
carry out to compress at impact.
If the compression of a golf ball does not match a golfer's swing speed,
either the lack of compression or over-compression will occur,
resulting in loss of distance.
There are also many brands and colors to choose from, with colored balls and better
brands generally being more expensive, making an individual's choice more difficult.

Marking and personalisation

A personalised golf ball

Golfers need to distinguish their ball from other players to ensure that they do not play
the wrong ball. This is often done by making a mark on the ball using a marker pen.
Special tools for marking balls with the players names or initials are also available. Alternatively,
balls can be printed with lettering, a pattern or a picture.
Companies and event organisers commonly have balls printed with their logo as a promotional tool.

Trick balls

A number of designs of novelty ball have been introduced over the years,
mainly as practical jokes for the amusement of fellow golfers, but also as "cheater"
balls that do not conform to the Rules of Golf. All of these are banned in sanctioned games,
but can be amusing in informal play:

Breakaway balls are brittle and hollow, and shatter into many small pieces when hit.
Exploding balls are similar, but employ a small explosive device that disintegrates the ball when hit.
Many courses have banned these as the charge can damage the turf, the player's club or
even cause injury, leading manufacturers to develop the breakaway.
Stallers are far softer than a normal golf ball, allowing them
to be compressed far more easily and are given greater backspin when hit.
Both of these give the ball a huge amount of lift, producing shots that climb very high into
the air with very little distance traveled over the ground. In the right conditions,
such a ball may travel backwards along its flight path or even perform a loop-de-loop.
Sponge balls are softer still; they are generally
used as indoor or backyard practice balls,
but some are deceptively similar in appearance to a normal ball. Such a ball will travel less than
a quarter of the distance of a normal golf ball.
Wobblers have a center of mass that is not in the exact center of the ball
or is loose within the ball. When putted, the ball will move unpredictably off the intended line.
Floaters are less dense than a regulation golf ball so when hit into a water hazard, they bob
on the surface when a normal ball would sink.
Super-distance balls have deeper dimples and are heavier than allowed by regulation,
which allows them first to maintain momentum and second to maintain a thicker "envelope"
of still air around them which reduces turbulence and wind resistance.
Marketers of these balls generally advertise a 12-yard gain on most distance shots.
Night golf balls Glow in the dark golf balls either luminous balls or inserted glow sticks.

Used and refurbished golf balls

golf , جولف , مدونة اخبار الفوركس , اختصار روابط , ترايدنت,

Used golf balls are golf balls that have been played,
most likely hit out of bounds or into a water hazard,
then retrieved, cleaned up and resold. Used golf balls
come in different gradings, such as mint (AAAAA), near mint (AAAA)
or practice (AA). They are sometimes referred to as "lakeballs".
Damaged golf balls with cuts or path marks are also known as
"hit-aways" and usually sold in bulk for practice play.

Cleaned recycled golf balls means "Cleaning only".
The found golf ball goes through a wash process that allows the recovered golf balls
to soak in a cleaning solution.
The golf balls are then washed in a specially designed golf ball washer.
Some companies remove most or all the clear coat from the ball with a mechanical wet blasting process.
This process allows them to get the golf ball as clean as possible before re-clear coating.
The objective of the freshly applied clear coat is to provide a consistent and more durable recycled product.
Refinished golf balls are processed by stripping, painting and/or clear-coating.
The original paint and finish from the golf balls is removed using,
a mechanical wet blasting process,
the equipment utilized in this process is similar to equipment used in
the process of removing mould lines and prepping many new golf balls,
before they are painted in the factory.
This leaves the original surface to be re-painted, printed and then re-clear coated.
This process is utilized mostly for more expensive balls such as Pro V1, HX Tour, and Nike one etc.
The same process is also used by some factories to correct misprints.
Independent testing has shown that refinished
golf balls have only minimal change in flight or roll characteristics,
the average player would never feel the differences. Refinishing can not repair cuts,
scrapes or path marks

Radio location

Golf balls with embedded radio transmitters to allow lost balls to be
located were first introduced in 1973, only to be rapidly banned for use in competition.^[8]^[9]
More recently RFID transponders have been used for this purpose.
This technology can be found in some computerized driving ranges.
In this format, each ball used at the range has its own unique transponder code.
When dispensed, the range registers each dispensed ball to the player,
who then hits them towards targets in the range.
When the player hits a ball into a target, they receive distance and accuracy
information calculated by the computer.

World records

Canadian long drive champion Jason Zuback broke the world ball speed record
on an episode of Sport Science with a golf ball speed of 328 km/h (204 mph).
The previous record of 302 km/h (188 mph) was held by José Ramón Areitio, a Jai Alai player.

Golf club (equipment)

2011-01-04T01:07:00.000-08:00

Golf club (equipment)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Three golf clubs of different classes. From left to right are a driver, a putter, and an iron.

A golf club is used in the sport of golf to hit a golf ball. Each club is composed of

a shaft with a lance (grip) and a clubhead. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway

or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety of shots;

putters are used mainly on the green to roll the ball into the cup.

A golf club is the tool used in the game of golf and from where the name came from,

“kolbe” (German for club). Despite there being no definitive origin to the sport,

Scotland is considered the “home of golf.” It has been played for over four centuries with Scotland having

the official first club golf course, St.

Andrews. In a standard set there are 14 golf clubs, consisting of irons,

woods and a putter. Although there is no official limit to each club, golfers tend to have 3 to 4

woods, 7 or 8 irons, a wedge and a putter.

An important variation in different clubs is loft, or the angle between the club's face and the vertical

plane. It is loft that makes a golf ball leave the tee on an ascending trajectory, not the angle of swing;

all swings contact the ball with a horizontal motion. The impact of the club compresses the ball,

while grooves on the clubface give the ball backspin (which would appear as a clockwise spin

on the ball when viewed from the standpoint of a right-swinging golfer, or as acounter-clockwise

spin when viewed from the standpoint of a left-swinging golfer). Together,

the compression and backspin create lift. The majority of woods and irons are labeled with

a number; higher numbers indicate shorter shafts and higher lofts, which give the ball a higher and shorter trajectory.

History

A set used to play a round of golf, under the rules of golf, must have no more than 14 clubs. While the variation of clubs differs between golfers, a full set typically consists of a driver, two fairway woods (generally 3- and 5-woods), a set of irons from 3 to 9, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, a putter, and one more club of the player's choice. Many players opt to avoid the long irons (that many find difficult to hit) and replace them with more forgiving clubs, like hybrids, although a small number of players choose to carry a 2-iron rather than a third wood. In 1744, the rules were officially documented and golf started to gain popularity. Many of the original golf clubs had wooden shafts and steel heads until this time period. Whether the game was being played in Scotland, Belgium, or any other country the golf clubs did not differ in the materials. However in the middle of the 18th century, it had switched to wood and only two golf clubs did not have wooden heads, the “niblick and the “cleek.” The golf club has changed so much through time, with the ability to be adequately fit to a player’s shape, size, age, or sex. In the beginning stages of golf, those who played would play with cut branches from trees and now have been revolutionized. There is no specific or set standardization as the club now can be varied in many ways. Before, the golfers only had wooden shafts, mostly wooden heads and/or heavy steel heads and thus led to ineffective playing. The golf balls were made of leather and feathers, known as featheries until the gutta-percha was introduced in 1848. The gutta-percha made the golf balls round and smooth making the accuracy difficult to control. Rubber was later included in the balls the players realized balls with dents or creases easily helped with the accuracy. The size and weight of the golf ball varied for a long time until it was decided on 1.62 inches and ounces. This was until 1932 when the USGA (United States Golf Association) in 1990 decided on 1.68 inches but left it at 1.62 ounces. These became the international rules as well and have not changed since.

Materials

The shafts of the Golf club woods were made of different types of wood before taken over by hickory. The varieties of woods include ash, greenheart, purpleheart, lancewood, lemonwood, orangewood, and blue-mahoo. In the middle of the 19th century the shafts were then being replaced by hickory wood. Despite this strong wood being the primary material, the long-nose club of the mid nineteenth century was still prone to breaking at the top of the backswing. The club heads were often made from thorn, apple, pear, dogwood, beech in the early times until persimmon became the main material. Golf clubs have been developed and the shafts are now made of steel, titanium, carbon fiber, or other types of metals. The shaft is a tapered steel tube or a series of stepped steel tubes in telescopic fashion. This has helped the accuracy of golfers. The grips of the clubs are made from leather or rubber.

Club Types

Woods

Main article: Wood (golf)

Woods are long-distance clubs, meant to drive the ball a great distance down the fairway towards the hole. They generally have a large head and a long shaft for maximum club speed. Historically woods were made from Persimmon wood although some manufacturers - notably Ping - developed laminated woods. In 1979, TaylorMade Golf introduced the first metal wood made of steel. Even more recently manufacturers have started using materials such as carbon fiber, titanium, or scandium. Even though most 'woods' are made from different metals, they are still called 'woods' to denote the general shape and their intended use on the golf course. Most woods made today have a graphite shaft and a titanium, composite, or steel head. Woods are the longest clubs and the most powerful of all the golf clubs. There are typically three to four woods in a set which are used off the tee box and, if on a long hole, possibly for the second or even third shot. The biggest wood, known as the driver, is often made of hollowed out titanium with feather light shafts. The length of the woods have been increasing in recent decades, and a typical driver with a graphite shaft is now 45.5 inches long. The woods may also have very large heads, up to 460cc in volume. It has a greater weight in the head and sole than in any other point in the club. This is also the same in irons. The shafts range from regular to extra-stiff depending upon each person’s preference.

Irons

Main article: Iron (golf)

Irons are golf clubs with a flat angled face and a shorter shaft than a wood, designed for shots approaching the green or from more difficult lies such as the rough, through or over trees, or the base of hills. Irons are used during the middle of each hole off the roughs, fairways or sand traps. There are long irons, medium irons, and short irons all with flat heads. They are called irons because they were made of metal. As with Woods, there are special types. Wedges, invented by Gene Sarazan are a special type of iron that took the place of the “niblick.” They are heavy and shorter than other irons, with a less flat face to loft the ball higher. with woods, "irons" get their name because they were originally made from forged iron. High-loft irons are called wedges. The higher the number gets on the scale, the lower amount of angle difference from 90 degrees. Irons are often hybrid, cavity-back or muscle-back. A hybrid is any iron that features a head very similar to a fairway wood; hollow steel or titanium with a shallow, slightly convex face. A hybrid head is usually marginally shallower and does not extend backwards from the face as far as a comparable fairway wood. A Cavity-back iron is any iron in which a small to large amount of the metal across the back of the head is removed, allowing that weight to be re-positioned on the perimeter of the head, farther away from the head's center of gravity. A muscle-back iron is any iron in which there is no cavity on the back of the head, i.e., the weight is more evenly distributed across the back of the clubhead.

Wedges are irons with a higher loft than a 9 iron, which is typically lofted at about 42 degrees. Wedges are used for a variety of short-distance, high-altitude, high-accuracy shots such as hitting the ball onto the green ("approach" shots), placing the ball accurately on the fairway for a better shot at the green ("lay-up" shots), or hitting the ball out of hazards or rough onto the green (chipping). There are usually six types of wedges with lofts ranging from 45° to 64°: pitching wedge (PW 48°), gap wedge (GW 52°), sand wedge (SW 56°), lob wedge (LW 60°), and ultra lob wedge (LW 64°).[1] The pitching wedge is sometimes called or labeled as a 10 iron, and the gap wedge is sometimes called an approach wedge or Utility Wedge and labeled with AW or UW respectively.

Hybrids

Main article: Hybrid (golf)

Hybrids are a cross between a wood and an iron, giving these clubs the wood's long distance with the iron's familiar swing. These clubs generally are used instead of high-numbered woods and/or low-numbered irons, though some manufacturers produce entire sets of hybrids or "iron replacements" that incorporate hybrid design to add distance and forgiveness to a player's entire set of irons from 1 to pitching wedge. Most hybrids take the place of an iron, but the hybrid is easier to hit than its respective iron. These clubs are often referred to as "Rescues" because the TaylorMade Rescue was one of the first clubs to utilize this design, as well as the use of the clubs to get one out of a tricky position (to be in fact rescued by the club).

Putters

Main article: Putter

Putters are a special class of clubs with a loft not exceeding ten degrees (except chippers), designed primarily to roll the ball along the grass, generally from a point on the putting green towards the cup. Contrary to popular belief, putters do have a loft (often 5 degrees from truly perpendicular at impact) that helps to lift the ball from any indentation it has made. Newer putters also include grooves on the face to promote roll rather than a skid off the impact. This increases rolling distance and reduces bouncing over the turf. Also present in some golfers' bags is the "chipper" which is designed for low-speed swings to lift the ball a short distance about 25 yards/23 meters, onto the green. The club can be used in place of the pitching wedge with an abbreviated swing to accomplish the same end. This club is used only on the greens and is the finishing club for each hole. These clubs were originally made of wood but have also been developed to metals as well. These are the shortest clubs of the set.

Chippers

Another variation of the putter, called the chipper, has a similar look, feel and general construction as a "normal" putter, but with a much higher loft, often 30-45 degrees. It is used to lift the ball over or out of the rough or fringe and onto the green with a motion similar to a putt. It can also be used for "lagging" (a putt made on the green from long distance for the sole purpose of setting up the ball for an easier second putt). A putter used for this purpose would require a harder stroke and the rough or fringe could affect accuracy. A high-angle wedge could have similar accuracy issues and could also damage the turf on such a shot if made carelessly. However, its use is generally limited; it is best-suited for short-distance play from close-cut grass on a terrain level similar to that of the green, and as such most skilled golfers choose to use a low-bounce, wide-soled wedge with a putting motion to accomplish a similar effect and save the space the club would take for a more versatile club.

Shaft

Main article: Shaft (golf)

Loft and lie of a golf club.

The shaft is a tapered tube made of metal (usually steel) or carbon fiber composite (referred to as graphite). The shaft is roughly 0.5 inches (13 mm) in diameter near the grip and from 34 to 48 inches (86 to 122 cm) in length. Shafts weigh from 45 to 150 grams (1.6 to 5.3 oz), depending on the material and length.[citation needed]

Shafts are quantified in a number of different ways. The most common is the shaft flex. Simply, the shaft flex is the amount that the shaft will bend when placed under a load. A stiffer shaft will not flex as much, which requires more power to flex and "whip" through the ball properly (which results in higher club speed at impact for more distance), while a more flexible shaft will whip with less power required for better distance on slower swings, but may torque and over-flex if swung with too much power causing the head not to be square at impact, resulting in lower accuracy. Most shaft makers offer a variety of flexes. The most common are: L (Lady), A (Soft Regular, Intermediate or Senior), R (Regular), S (Stiff), and X (Tour Stiff, Extra Stiff or Strong). A regular flex shaft is generally appropriate for those with an average head speed (80–94 mph (130–151 km/h)), while an A-Flex (or senior shaft) is for players with a slower swing speed (70–79 mph (110–127 km/h)), and the stiffer shafts, such as S-Flex and X-Flex (Stiff and Extra-Stiff shafts) are reserved only for those players with an above average swinging speed, usually above 100 mph (160 km/h). Some companies also offer a "stiff-regular" or "firm" flex for players whose club speed falls in the upper range of a Regular shaft (90–100 mph (140–160 km/h)), allowing golfers and clubmakers to fine-tune the flex for a stronger amateur-level player.[citation needed]

On off-center hits, the clubhead twists as a result of a torque, reducing accuracy as the face of the club is not square to the player's stance at impact. In recent years, many manufacturers have produced and marketed many low-torque shafts aimed at reducing the twisting of the clubhead at impact; however, these tend to be stiffer along their length as well. Most recently, many brands have introduced stiff-tip shafts. These shafts offer the same flex throughout most of the Shaft, in order to attain the "whip" required to propel the ball properly, but also include a stiffer tip, which cuts back drastically on the lateral torque acting on the head.[citation needed]

Widely overlooked as a part of the club, the shaft is considered by many to be the engine of the modern clubhead. Shafts range in price from a mere US$20 to over US$1200. Current graphite shafts weigh considerably less than their steel counterparts (sometimes weighing less than 50 grams (1.8 oz) for a driver shaft), allowing for lighter clubs that can be swung at greater speed. Within the last ten years[when?], performance shafts have been integrated into the clubmaking process. Performance shafts are designed to address specific criteria, such as to launch the ball higher or lower or to adjust for the timing of a player's swing to load and unload the shaft at the correct moments of the swing for maximum power. Whereas in the past each club could come with only one shaft, today's clubheads can be fitted with dozens of different shafts, creating the potential for a much better fit for the average golfer.[citation needed]

Grip

In modern times, the grip has undergone a number of iterations. The large variety of models makes it far easier than in the past for a discriminating golfer to find a comfortable model.

Grip rules

According to the rules of golf, all club grips, with the exception of the putter, must have a circular cross-section. The putter may have any cross section that is symmetrical along the length of the grip through at least one plane. Grips may taper from thick to thin along their length (and virtually all do), but they are not allowed to have any waisting (a thinner section of the grip surrounded by thicker sections above and below it) or bulges (thicker sections of the grip surrounded by thinner sections). Minor variations in surface texture (such as the natural variation of a "wrap"-style grip) are not counted unless significant.

Regripping

Advances in materials have resulted in more durable, longer-lasting soft grips, but nevertheless grips do eventually dry out, harden, or are otherwise damaged and must be replaced. Replacement grips sold as do-it-yourself kits are generally inexpensive and of high quality, although custom grips that are larger, softer, or textured differently from the everyday "wrap"-style grip are generally bought and installed by a clubsmith.[citation needed]

Regripping used to require toxic, flammable solvents to soften and activate the adhesive, and a vise to hold the club steady while the grip was forced on. The newest replacement kits, however, use double-sided tape with a water-activated adhesive that is slippery when first activated, allowing easier installation. Once the adhesive cures, it creates a very strong bond between grip and shaft and the grip is usually impossible to remove without cutting it off. Note that the grip is sometimes lubed for easier removal.

Hosel

The hosel is the portion of the clubhead to which the shaft attaches. Though largely ignored by players, hosel design is integral to the balance, feel and power of a club. Modern hosels are designed to place as little mass as possible over the top of the striking face of the club, which lowers the center of gravity of the club for better distance.

Clubhead

Each head has one face which contacts the ball during the stroke. Putters may have two striking faces, as long as they are identical and symmetrical. Some chippers have two faces, but are not legal. Page 135 of the 2009 USGA rules of golf states:[2]

"The clubhead must have only one striking face, except that a putter may have two such faces if their characteristics are the same, and they are opposite each other."[2]

Page 127 of the USGA rules of golf states:[3]

"A putter is a club with a loft not exceeding ten degrees designed primarily for use on the putting green."[3]

Therefore, any double sided club with a loft greater than 10 degrees is not legal.[2][3]

Ferrule

The decorative trim ring, usually black (It may have additional trim colors), that is found directly on top of the hosel on many woods and irons.

Regulations

The ruling authorities of golf, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA), reserve the right to define what shapes and physical characteristics of clubs are permissible in tournament play. Many recently developed woods have a marked "trampoline effect" (a large deformation of the face upon impact followed by a quick restoration to original dimensions, acting like a slingshot), resulting in very high ball speeds and great lengths of tee shots. As of 1 January 2008, the USGA and R&A have settled on a regulation that limits the acceptable "trampoline effect" to a coefficient of restitution (COR) – a measurement of the efficiency of the transfer of energy from the club head to the ball – of .830.[4]

Other large scale USGA rulings involve a 1990 lawsuit, and subsequent settlement, against Karsten Manufacturing, makers of the PING brand, for their use of square, or U-grooves in their immensely popular Ping Eye2 irons. The USGA argued that players who used the Eye2 had an unfair advantage in imparting spin on the ball, which helps to stop the ball on the putting greens. The USGA utilizedJohn L. Saksun, founder of Canadian golf company Accuform Golf, as a consultant to set up methods of measuring the unique grooves and determining PING's compliance with the rulings.[5] Saksun, by proposing a cost-effective solution to help PING change the design of subsequent Eye2s, saved PING hundreds of millions. PING subsequently withdrew their US$100 million lawsuit against the USGA. Ping’s older clubs were "grandfathered in" and allowed to remain in play as part of the settlement.[6] Today, square grooves are considered perfectly legal under the Rules of Golf. However, the USGA has determined that square grooves are illegal in elite-level competition.[7] According to the USGA, as January 1, 2010, professional golfers on one of the top tours, or those attempting to qualify for one of the three Open Championships, will need to be utilizing new conforming wedges (those without square grooves).[8][9] Moreover, those who plan to qualify for any other USGA championship will need new conforming wedges by 2014. In addition, this regulation might include amateur events as well. Casual golfers may use square groove wedges (and clubs) until at least 2024.

References

^ http://www.lindgolf.com/buying-guide/wedges

^ a b c USGA rules of golf, p 135.

^ a b c USGA rules of golf, p 127.

^ Stachura, Mike (2002-10). About-face: the USGA's final edict on COR should end the confusion over which drivers conform and which do not. Golf Digest, October 2002. Retrieved fromhttp://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HFI/is_10_53/ai_93487351.

^ Weeks, Bob (2007-02-16). Grooves: the new rules battleground. SCOREGolf: The Voice of Canadian Golf, 16 February 2007. Retrieved from http://scoregolf.com/blog/bob-weeks/2007/February/Grooves-the-new-rules-battleground.cfm.

^ Diaz, Jaime (January 29, 1990). "Accord Is Reached On U-Groove Irons". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-11-22.

^ Potter, Jerry (March 12, 2007). "Club grooves limitation sought". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-11-22.

^ a b http://www.mygolfspy.com/usga-2010-groove-rule/

^ http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1596949,00.html

Bade, Edwin. The Mechanics of Sport. A.G. Elliot, New York, 1952. Gibson, Kevin H. The Encyclopedia of Golf. A.S. Barnes, New York, 1958. Bruce, Ben and Evelyn Davies. Beginning Golf. Wadsworth Publishing, California, 1962. Cheatum, Billy Ann. Golf. W.B.

Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 1969. Cochran A.J. Science and Golf II: Procedures of World Scientific Congress of Golf. M.R. Farally, London, 1994. Cook, Kevin. Driven: Teen phenoms, Mad Parents, Swing Science and the Future of Golf. Gotham Books, New York, 2008. Concannon, Dale. The Original Rules of Golf. Bodleian Library, Oxford, 2009. Evans, Webster. Encyclopaedia of Golf. St. Martins Press, New York, 1971. Ford, Doug. Getting Started in Golf. Sterling Publishers, New York, 1964.

Golf course

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A golf course consists of a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick (pin) and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes. Some, however, only have nine holes and the course is played twice per round, while others have 27 or 36 and choose two groups of nine holes at a time for novelty and maintenance reasons. Additionally, par-3 courses also exist, consisting of nine or 18 holes, all of which are a Par 3. Many older golf courses, often coastal, are golf links, of a different style to others. For non-municipal courses, there is usually a golf club based at each course, and may include a pro shop.

Teeing area

Tee for the first hole at The Links at Spanish Bay

The first section of every hole consists of what is known as the teeing ground, or tee-box. There is usually more than one available box for a player to place their ball, each one a different distance from the hole. They are generally as level as feasible, and most are slightly raised from the surrounding fairway. The most common tee areas, in increasing order of length from the hole, are the ladies' tee, the men's tee, and the championship tee. Other common tee-boxes include the junior tee, closer to the hole than the ladies' tee, and the senior tee, generally between the ladies' tee and the men's tee. In tournaments, golfers generally tee off from the box one level further from the "normal" box for their class (men use the championship tee, ladies use the senior or men's tee, and juniors use the ladies' tee).

Each tee box has two markers showing the bounds of the legal tee area. The teeing area spans the distance between the markers, and extends from two-club lengths behind the markers up to the markers themselves. A golfer may play the ball from outside the teeing area, but the ball itself must be shot from within the area.^[1] A golfer may place his ball directly on the teeing ground (called hitting it "off the deck"), a manufactured support known as a tee, or any natural substance such as sand placed on the teeing surface.

Fairway and rough

Typical doglegs. On the left side: "dogleg left", on the right side: "double dogleg"

After the first shot from the tee (teeing off), the player hits the ball from where it came to rest toward the green. The area between the tee box and the putting green where the grass is cut even and short is called the fairway and is generally the most advantageous area from which to hit. The area between the fairway and the out-of-bounds markers and also between the fairway and green is the rough, the grass of which is cut higher than that of the fairway and is generally a disadvantageous area from which to hit. On par three holes the player is expected to be able to drive the ball to the green on the first shot from the tee box. On holes longer than par threes players are expected to require at least one extra shot made from the fairway or rough.

While many holes are designed with a direct line-of-sight from the tee-off point to the green, some holes may bend either to the left or to the right. This is called a "dogleg", in reference to a dog's knee. The hole is called a "dogleg left" if the hole angles leftwards, and a "dogleg right" if the hole angles rightwards. Sometimes, a hole's direction can bend twice, and is called a "double dogleg".

Just as there are good quality grasses for putting greens, there are good quality grasses for the fairway and rough. The quality of grass influences the roll of the ball as well as the ability of the player to 'take a divot' (effectively, the ability to hit the ball into the turf and compress it). The fairways on prestigious tours, like the PGA Tour, are cut low, making it harder for players to compress the ball. Mow heights influence the play of the course; for example, the grass heights at U.S Open events are alternated in order to make the golf course difficult. One example of this is the infamous roughs at U.S Opens, which are often 3 to 5 inches tall depending on how close to the fairway or green the said height will be. This makes it harder for a player to recover after a bad shot.

Some variants of grass used for fairways and roughs are bent grass, Tifway 419 Bermuda grass,^[2] rye grass, Kentucky bluegrass, and Zoysiagrass. As in putting green grass types, not every grass type works for every climate type.

Hazards

Main article: Hazard (golf)

Water hazard, sand trap, and dense vegetation on the 13th hole at Ridgefield Golf Course, CT

Many holes include hazards, which may be of three types: (1) water hazards such as lakes and rivers; (2) man-made hazards such as bunkers; and (3) natural hazards such as dense vegetation. Special rules apply to playing balls that fall in a hazard. For example, a player may not touch the ground with his club before playing a ball, not even for a practice swing. A ball in any hazard may be played as it lies without penalty. If it cannot be played from the hazard, the ball may be hit from another location, generally with a penalty of one stroke. The Rules of Golf govern exactly from where the ball may be played outside a hazard. Bunkers (or sand traps) are shallow pits filled with sand and generally incorporating a raised lip or barrier, from which the ball is more difficult to play than from grass. As in any hazard, a ball in a sand trap must be played without previously touching the sand with the club.

Putting green

The 18th green at Pebble Beach Golf Links

To putt is to play a stroke on the defined putting surface. Usually, this stroke is played on the green with a putter where the ball does not leave the ground. Once on the green, the ball is putted (struck with the eponymous flat-faced club to roll it along the ground) toward the hole until the ball falls into the cup.

The grass of the putting green (more commonly just green) is cut very short so that a ball can roll long distances. The most common types of greens for cold winter, but warmer (not extremely warm i.e. Southern United States) are bent grass greens. These are considered the best greens because of their ability to be cut to extremely low heights, and their ability to be grown from seed. Bent grass does not have grain, which makes it superior as a putting surface; however, bent grass often gets infested with poa annua, which is a costly and time consuming weed. Augusta National is one of many golf courses to use these types of greens; the original design of Augusta National did not have bent grass greens, however, in the 1980s, the controversial decision was made that changed the greens to bent grass, from Bermuda.

This has affected the speed and playing of Augusta National. Another type of grass common for greens is TifDwarf Hybrid Bermuda (other variants exist, but TifDwarf is one of the most common, or simply Bermuda grass. This type of grass is more common in places that do not have cold winters, yet have very warm summers (such as the southern portion of the United States, and the southwestern states). A green is generally established from sod which has had the soil washed off of it as to avoid soil compatibility problems and then laid tightly over the green, rolled and topdressed with fine sand. Another common and more economical approach for establishing a putting green is hybrid Bermuda spriggs, which are the stolon of the grass which are raked out at the sod farm and laid out on the green to establish. The best greens are always established vegetatively and never from seed.

A downside to Bermuda greens is the cost of maintenance, and the existence of grain (The growth direction of the blades of grass affects the ball's roll and is called the grain of the green). The slope or break of the green also affects the roll of the ball. The cup is always found within the green and must have a diameter of 108 millimeters (4.25 in) and a depth of at least 10 centimeters (3.94 in). Its position on the green is not fixed and should be changed daily by a greenskeeper in order to prevent excessive wear and damage to the turf. The cup usually has a flag on a pole positioned in it so that it may be seen from a distance, but not necessarily from the tee; this flag-and-pole combination is called the pin or less commonly the flagstick.

Putting greens are not all of the same quality. Generally, the finest-quality greens are well kept so that a ball will smoothly roll over the closely-mowed grass. Excess water can be removed from a putting green using a machine called a water hog. Golfers describe a green as fast if a light stroke to the ball makes it roll a long distance; conversely, a slow green is one where a stronger stroke is required to roll the ball the required distance. The exact speed of a green can be found with a stimp meter. By collecting sample measurements, golf courses can be compared in terms of average green speed. It is, however, illegal by the Rules of Golf to test the speed of a green while playing by rolling a ball on it, feeling or rubbing the green.

Par

Mark Bostic Golf Course

Most courses have only par three, four, and five holes, though some courses include par six holes. Typical distances for the various holes from standard tees are as follows.

Men

Par 3 – 250 yards (230 m) and below
Par 4 – 251 to 450 yards (410 m)
Par 5 – 451 to 690 yards (630 m)
Par 6 – 691 yards (632 m) or more

Women

Par 3 – 210 yards (190 m) and below
Par 4 – 211 to 400 yards (370 m)
Par 5 – 401 to 575 yards (526 m)
Par 6 – 575 yards (526 m) or more

Harder or easier courses may have longer or shorter distances, respectively. Terrain can also be a factor, where a long downhill hole might be rated a par four, but a shorter uphill or treacherous hole might be rated a par five. Professional tournament players will often encounter longer Par 3 holes (up to 290 yards) and longer Par 4 holes (up to 520 yards).

Other areas

Some areas of the course are designated as ground under repair ("G.U.R."), where greenskeepers are making repairs or where the course is damaged. A ball coming to rest in this spot may be lifted, then played from outside the G.U.R. without penalty. Certain man-made objects on the course are defined as obstructions (i.e. distance posts, gardens, etc.), and specific rules determine how a golfer may proceed when their play is impeded by these.

Driving range

Main article: Driving range

Practice range with 43 tees (20 covered)

Often, there is a practice range or driving range, usually with practice greens, bunkers, and driving areas. Markers showing distances are usually included on a practice range to benefit the golfer. There may even be a practice course (often shorter and easier to play than full-scale golf courses), where golfers practice to measure how far they can hit with a specific club or to improve their swing technique.

Design

A specialty of landscape design or landscape architecture, golf course architecture is its own field of study. Some golf course architects become celebrities in their own right. The field is represented by the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the European Institute of Golf Course Architects and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects.

Golf match at Columbia Country Club, Washington, D.C. area 1910-20.

While golf courses often follow the original landscape, some modification is unavoidable. This is increasingly the case as new courses are more likely to be sited on less optimal land. Bunkers and sand traps are almost always artificial, although other hazards may be natural.

The layout of fairways follows certain traditional principles, such as the number of holes (nine and 18 being most common), their par and number of chosen par types per course. It is also preferable to arrange greens to be close to the tee box of the next playable hole, to minimize travel distance while playing. Combined with the need to package all the fairways in a compact square or rectangular land plot, they tend to form an oppositional tiling pattern. In complex areas, sometimes two holes share a single tee box. It is also common for separate tee-off points to be positioned for men, women, and amateurs, each one respectively lying closer to the green.

A successful design is as visually pleasing as it is playable. With golf being an outdoor form of recreation, the strong designer is an adept student of natural landscaping, understanding the aesthetic cohesion of vegetation, water bodies, paths, grasses, stonework and woodwork, among other things.

A special design of golf course is the "executive" golf course (also known as a "par-3" course). This course differs from standard courses in that the majority of holes are Par 3 holes, with one or two Par 4 holes added and sometimes (though rare) a Par 5 hole. The executive course is designed for beginner or older golfers and those who lack the time to play a round on a standard course.

Environmental impact

Environmental concerns over the use of land for golf courses have grown over the past fifty years. Specific issues include the amount of water and chemical pesticides and fertilizers used for maintenance, as well as the destruction of wetlands and other environmentally important areas during construction. The UN estimates that golf courses use about 2.5 billion gallons/9.5 billion liters of water daily. Many golf courses in the world are irrigated with non-potable water and/or rainwater. In 1988, the US Environmental Protection Agency prohibited the use of Diazinon on golf courses and sod farms because of negative impact on bird species.

These, along with health and cost concerns, have led to research into more environmentally sound practices and turf grasses. The golf course superintendent is often trained in the uses of these practices and grasses. This has led to significant reduction in the amount of chemicals and water used on courses. The turf on golf courses is an excellent filter for water and has been used in communities to cleanse grey water, such as incorporation of bioswales.

Environmentalists and other activists continue to oppose golf courses for environmental reasons, as they occasionally impede corridors for migrating animals and sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife, though courses frequently become havens for native and non-native creatures.

A result of modern equipment is that today's players can hit the ball much farther than previously. As a result, out of a concern for safety, golf course architects have had to lengthen and widen golf courses. This has led to a ten percent increase in the acreage required to build them. At the same time, water restrictions placed by communities have forced courses to limit the amount of maintained turf grass. While most modern 18-hole golf courses occupy as much as 60 hectares (150 acres) of land, the average course has 30 Ha (75 acres) of maintained turf. (Sources include the National Golf Foundation and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America GCSAA.)

Deer on a golf course.

Golf courses can be built on sandy areas along coasts, abandoned farms, strip mines and quarries, deserts and forests. Many Western countries have instituted environmental restrictions on where and how courses can be built.^[3]^[4]

In some parts of the world, attempts to build courses and resorts have led to protests, vandalism and violence. Golf is perceived by some as elitist, and thus golf courses become a target for popular opposition. Resisting golf tourism and golf's expansion has become an objective of some land-reform movements, especially in the Philippines and Indonesia.

In the Bahamas, opposition to golf developments has become a national issue. Residents of Great Guana Cay and Bimini, for example, are engaged in legal and political opposition to golf developments on their islands, for fear the golf courses will destroy the nutrient-poor balance on which their coral reef and mangrove systems depend.

In Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in arid regions, golf courses have been constructed on nothing more than oil-covered sand. Players may use a roller on the "greens" to smooth the intended path before putting. In Coober Pedy, Australia, there is a golf course that consists of nine holes dug into mounds of sand, diesel and oil, with no grass anywhere on the course. Players carry a small piece of astroturf from which they tee the ball. In New Zealand it is not uncommon for rural courses to have greens fenced off and sheep graze the fairways. At the 125-year-old Royal Colombo Golf Club in Sri Lanka steam trains, from the Kelani Valley railway, run through the course at the 6th hole.

Extreme golf is played on environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional courses. A cross between hiking and golf, the course layout exposes players to a wide range of natural obstacles and challenging terrains.

Based on the growing popularity of the U.X. Open Alternative Golf Tournament the extreme golf course features un-mowed meadows and forest instead of fairways, with "goals" scored on temporary greens (a circle 6 metres (20 ft) in diameter).^[5]

golf

2011-01-04T00:54:00.001-08:00

Golf is a precision club-and-ball sport, in which competing players (golfers), using many types of clubs, attempt to hit balls into each hole on agolf course while employing the fewest number of strokes. Golf is one of the few ball games that does not require a standardized playing area. Instead, the game is played on golf "courses," each of which features a unique design, although courses typically consist of either nine or 18 holes. Golf is defined, in the rules of golf, as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules." Golf competition is generally played for the lowest number of strokes by an individual, known simply as stroke play, or the lowest score on the most individual holes during a complete round by an individual or team, known as match play.

Origin

The origin of golf is unclear and open to debate. Some historians^[3] trace the sport back to the Roman game of paganica, in which participants used a bent stick to hit a stuffed leather ball. One theory asserts that paganica spread throughout Europe as the Romans conquered most of the continent, during the first century B.C., and eventually evolved into the modern game.^[4] Others cite chuiwan("chui" means striking and "wan" means small ball) as the progenitor, a Chinese game played between the eighth and 14^th centuries.^[5] A Ming Dynasty scroll dating back to 1368 entitled "The Autumn Banquet", shows a member of the Chinese Imperial court swinging what appears to be a golf club at a small ball with the aim of sinking it into a hole. The game is thought to have been introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages. Another early game that resembled modern golf was known as cambuca in England and chambot in France.^[6] This game was, in turn, exported to the Low Countries, Germany, and England (where it was called pall-mall, pronounced “pell mell”). Some observers, however, believe that golf descended from the Persian game, chaugán. In addition, kolven (a game involving a ball and curved bats) was played annually in Loenen, Netherlands, beginning in 1297, to commemorate the capture of the assassin of Floris V, a year earlier.

The modern game originated in Scotland, where the first written record of golf is James II's banning of the game in 1457, as an unwelcome distraction to learning archery.^[7]

Golf course

A golf course consists of a series of holes, each with a teeing area that is set off by two markers showing the bounds of the legal tee area, fairway, roughand other hazards, and the putting green surrounded by the fringe with the pin (flagstick) and cup. Different 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 tee-off point to the green, some of the holes may bend, either to the left or to the right. This is called a "dogleg", in reference to a dog's knee. The hole is called a "dogleg left" if the hole angles leftwards and vice versa; sometimes, a hole's direction can bend twice and 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 18 holes.^[8]^[9]

Early Scottish golf courses were primarily laid out on links land, soil covered sand dunes directly inland from beaches.^[10] This gave rise to the term golf links, particularly applied to seaside courses and those built on naturally sandy soil inland.

The very first 18 hole golf course in America was located on a sheep farm in Downers Grove, Illinois in 1892. The golf course is still situated there.

Play of the game

Every round of golf is based on playing a number of holes in a given order. A round typically consists of 18 holes that are played in the order determined by thecourse layout. On a nine-hole course, a standard round consists of two consecutive nine-hole rounds. Playing a hole on a golf course is initiated by putting a ball into play by striking it with a club on the teeing area (also called the "tee box" or simply "the tee.") When this initial stroke (or "shot") is required to be a long one due to the length of the hole, it is usual (but not required) for a golfer to suspend (or "tee") the ball on a tee prior to striking it. A "tee" in this last sense is a small peg which can be used to elevate the ball slightly above the ground up to a few centimeters high. This elevation is at the discretion of the golfer. Tee pegs are commonly made of wood but may be constructed of any material; the ball may even be "tee'd" on a mound of grass or dirt (at one time a small pile of sand placed by the golfer was routinely used and sand was provided at teeing areas for golfers' use).

When the initial shot on a hole is a long-distance shot intended to move the ball a great distance down the fairway, this shot is commonly called a "drive." Shorter holes generally are initiated with "shorter" clubs. Once the ball comes to rest, the golfer strikes it again as many times as necessary using shots that are variously known as a lay-up, an approach, a "pitch," or a chip, until the ball reaches the green, where he or she then putts the ball into the hole (commonly called "sinking the putt"). The goal of getting the ball into the hole ("holing" the ball) in as few strokes as possible may be impeded by obstacles such as areas of long grass called rough (usually found alongside fairways) which both slows any ball that contacts it and makes it harder to advance a ball that has stopped on it,bunkers ("sand traps"), and water hazards.^[8] In most forms of gameplay, each player plays his or her ball until it is holed.

Players can walk or drive in motorized carts over the course. Play can be done either singly or in groups and sometimes accompanied by caddies, who carry and manage the players' equipment and who are allowed by the rules to give advice on the play of the course.^[12] A caddies' advice can only be given to the player or players for whom the caddy is working, and not to competing players.

Rules and regulations

The rules of golf^[13]^[14] are internationally standardised and are jointly governed by The R&A, spun off in 2004 from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (founded 1754), and the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The underlying principle of the rules is fairness. As stated on the back cover of the official rule book: Play the ball as it lies, play the course as you find it, and if you cannot do either, do what is fair.

There are strict regulations regarding the amateur status of golfers.^[15] Essentially, anybody who has ever received payment or compensation for giving instruction, or played golf for money, is not considered an amateur and may not participate in competitions limited solely to amateurs. However, amateur golfers may receive expenses which comply with strict guidelines and they may accept non-cash prizes within the limits established by the Rules of Amateur Status.

In addition to the officially printed rules, golfers also abide by a set of guidelines called golf etiquette. Etiquette guidelines cover matters such as safety, fairness, pace of play, and a player's obligation to contribute to the care of the course. Though there are no penalties for breach of etiquette rules, players generally follow the rules of golf etiquette in an effort to improve everyone's playing experience.

Penalties

Penalties are incurred in certain situations. They are counted towards a player's score as if there were extra swing(s) at the ball. Strokes are added for rule infractions or for hitting one's ball into an unplayable situation. A lost ball or a ball hit out of bounds result in a penalty of one stroke and distance. (Rule 27-1) A one stroke penalty is assessed if a player's equipment causes the ball to move or the removal of a loose impediment causes the ball to move. (Rule 18-2) If a golfer makes a stroke at the wrong ball (Rule 19-2) or hits a fellow golfer's ball with a putt (Rule 19-5), the player incurs a two stroke penalty. Most rule infractions lead to stroke penalties but also can lead to disqualification. Disqualification could be from cheating, signing for a lower score, or from rule infractions that lead to improper play.^[16]

Equipment

Golf clubs are used to hit a golf ball, Each club is composed of a shaft with a lance (grip) on the top end and a club head on the bottom. "Long" clubs, which have a lower amount of degreed loft, are those meant to propel the ball a comparatively longer distance and "short" clubs, a higher degree, a comparatively short distance. Typically, the actual physical length of each club is longer or shorter, depending on the distance the club is intended to propel the ball. The "driver" is the largest-headed and "longest" club. Woods are slightly shorter but still comparatively large-headed clubs, used for long-distance fairway shots. Woods are now typically made of metal; the traditional name "woods" remains in general use but is gradually being replaced by the term "fairway metal." Next shorter in length are the irons, the most numerous and versatile class used for a wide variety of shots. Hybrid (golf) clubs which embody characteristics of both woods and irons in varying degrees, are increasingly being used in preference to long irons in many places because they are easier for the average golfer to use. Last but not least, putters are used to roll the ball across the green into the cup.

A maximum of 14 clubs is allowed in a player's bag at one time during a stipulated round. The choice of clubs is at the golfer's discretion, although every club must be constructed in accordance with parameters outlined in the rules. (Clubs which meet these parameters are usually called "conforming.") Violation of these rules can result in disqualification.

The exact shot hit at any given time on a golf course, and which club is used to accomplish the shot, are always completely at the discretion of the golfer; in other words, there is no restriction whatsoever on which club a golfer may or may not use at any time for any shot.

Golf balls are spherical, usually white (although other colours are allowed), and minutely pock-marked by "dimples" that decrease aerodynamic drag by decreasing air turbulence around the ball in motion, thereby allowing the ball to fly farther.^[17]

A tee is allowed only for the first stroke on each hole, unless the player must hit a provisional or replay his or her first shot from the tee.

Many golfers wear golf shoes with metal or plastic spikes designed to increase traction, thus allowing for longer and more accurate shots. A golf bag is used to transport golf clubs. Golf bags have several pockets designed for carrying equipment and supplies such as tees, balls, and gloves. Golf bags can be carried, pulled on a two-wheel pull cart or harnessed to a motorized golf cart during play. Golf bags have both a hand strap and shoulder strap for carrying, and sometimes have retractable legs that allow the bag to stand upright when at rest.

Stroke mechanics

Golfers start with the non-dominant side of the body facing the target. At address the body and club are positioned parallel to the target line. The feet are commonly shoulder width apart for middle irons and putters, narrower for short irons and wider for long irons and woods. The ball is positioned in the center of the players stance for short irons and putters, more to the front for middle irons and even more for long irons and woods. The golfer chooses a grip. The golfer chooses a golf club and stroke appropriate to the distance:

The drive is used on the tee box to tee off long distances.
The approach is used in long to mid distance shots
The chip is used for relatively short distance shots around the green. The goal of the chip is to land the ball safely on the green allowing it to roll out towards the hole.
The putt is used in short distance shots on or near the green. The goal of the putt is to get the ball in the hole or as close to the hole as possible.

Scoring and handicapping

Par

Main article: Par (score)

A hole is classified by its par; the number of strokes a skilled golfer should require to complete play of the hole.^[8] For example, a skilled golfer expects to reach the green on a par-four hole in two strokes (This would be considered a Green in Regulation or GIR): one from the tee (the "drive") and another, second, stroke to the green (the "approach"); and then roll the ball into the hole in two putts for par. A golf hole is either a par-three, -four or -five, rarely -six.^[18]

The key factor for classifying the par of a hole is the distance from the tee to the green. A typical par-three hole is less than 250 yards (225 metres) in length, with a par-four hole ranging between 251 and 475 yards (225–434 metres), and a par-five hole being longer than 475 yards (435 metres). Although uncommon, par-six can stretch well over 650 yards (595 metres).

The gradient of the course (uphill or downhill) can also affect the par rating. If the tee-to-green distance on a hole is predominantly downhill, it will play shorter than its physical length and may be given a lower par rating; the opposite is true for uphill holes. Par ratings are also affected by factors such as the placement of hazards or the shape of the green, which can sometimes affect the play of a hole by requiring an extra stroke to avoid playing into hazards.^[19]

Eighteen hole courses may have four par-three, ten par-four, and four par-five holes, though other combinations exist and are not less worthy than courses of par 72. Many major championships are contested on courses playing to a par of 70, 71, or 72. Additionally, in some countries, courses are classified according to their play difficulty, which may be used to calculate a golfer's playing handicap for a given course (cf. golf handicap).^[20]

Scoring

In every form of play, the goal is to play as few strokes per round as possible. A "hole in one" (or an "ace") occurs when a golfer sinks his ball into the cup with his first stroke (a drive from the tee). Common scores for a hole also have specific terms.^[8]

Numeric term	Name	Definition
−5	Ostrich	five strokes under par
−4	Condor	four strokes under par
−3	Albatross	three strokes under par
−2	Eagle	two strokes under par
−1	Birdie	one stroke under par
E	Par	equal to par
+1	Bogey	one stroke over par
+2	Double bogey	two strokes over par
+3	Triple bogey	three strokes over par
+4	Quadruple bogey	four strokes over par

Basic forms of golf

Match play

In match play, two players (or two teams) play each hole as a separate contest against each other. The party with the lower score wins that hole, or if the scores of both players or teams are equal the hole is "halved" (tied). The game is won by the party that wins more holes than the other. In the case that one team or player has taken a lead that cannot be overcome in the number of holes remaining to be played, the match is deemed to be won by the party in the lead, and the remainder of the holes are not played. For example, if one party already has a lead of six holes, and only five holes remain to be played on the course, the match is over. At any given point, if the lead is equal to the number of holes remaining, the match is said to be "dormie", and is continued until the leader increases the lead by one hole or ties any of the remaining holes, thereby winning the match, or until the match ends in a tie with the lead player's opponent winning all remaining holes. When the game is tied after the predetermined number of holes have been played, it may be continued until one side takes a one-hole lead.^[8]

Stroke play

In stroke play, the score achieved for each and every hole of the round or tournament is added to produce the total score, and the player with the lowest score wins. (Stroke play is the game most commonly played by professional golfers.) If there is a tie after the regulation number of holes in a professional tournament, a playoff takes place between all tied players. Playoffs are either sudden death or employ a pre-determined number of holes, anywhere from three to a full eighteen. In sudden death, a player who scores lower on a hole than all of his opponents wins the match. If at least two players remain tied after such a playoff using a pre-determined number of holes, then play continues in sudden death format, where the first player to win a hole wins the tournament.

Other forms of golf

Skins

In a skins game, golfers compete on each hole, as a separate contest. Played for prize money on the professional level or as a means of a wager for amateurs, a skin, or the prize money assigned to each hole, carries over to subsequent holes if the hole is tied (or halved). If you come to the end of the round and there are still skins left over, play continues until the final skin has been decided.

Stableford

Under the Stableford system the player gains points for the score achieved on each hole of the round or tournament (1 point for a bogey, 2 points for a par, 3 points for a birdie, 4 points for an eagle). The points achieved for each hole of the round or tournament are added together to produce the total points score. The player with the highest score wins.^[8]

Team play

A foursome (defined in Rule 29) is played between two teams of two players each, in which each team has only one ball and players alternate playing it. For example, if players A and B form a team, A tees off on the first hole, B will play the second shot, A the third, and so on until the hole is finished. On the second hole, B will tee off (regardless who played the last putt on the first hole), then A plays the second shot, and so on. Foursomes can be played as match play or stroke play.^[21]
A four-ball (Rules 30 and 31) is also played between two teams of two players each, but every player plays his/her own ball and for each team, the lower score on each hole is counted. Four-balls can be played as match play or stroke play.^[22]

There are also popular unofficial variations on team play:

In scramble (also known as ambrose or best shot), each player in a team tees off on each hole, and the players decide which shot was best. Every player then plays his/her second shot from within a clublength of where the best shot has come to rest, and the procedure is repeated until the hole is finished. In a champagne scramble, each player in a team tees off on each hole. The best drive is used and all players play their own ball from this spot. In best ball, each player plays the hole as normal, but the lowest score of all the players on the team counts as the team's score.^[23]
In a greensome, also called modified alternate shot, both players tee off, and then pick the best shot as in a scramble. The player who did not shoot the best first shot plays the second shot. The play then alternates as in a foursome.^[24]
A variant of greensome is sometimes played where the opposing team chooses which of their opponent's tee shots the opponents should use. The player who did not shoot the chosen first shot plays the second shot. Play then continues as a greensome.
There is also a form of starting called shotgun, which is mainly used for tournament play. A shotgun start consists of groups starting on different holes, allowing for all players to start and end their round at the same time.

Handicap systems

Main article: Handicap (golf)

A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer's ability to play golf over the course of 18 holes. Handicaps can be applied either for stroke play competition or match play competition. In either competition, a handicap generally represents the number of strokes above par that a player will achieve on an above average day (i.e., when playing well).

In stroke play competition, the competitor's handicap is subtracted from their total "gross" score at the end of the round, to calculate a "net" score against which standings are calculated. In match play competition, handicap strokes are assigned on a hole-by-hole basis, according to the handicap rating of each hole (which is provided by the course). The hardest holes on the course receive the most handicap strokes, with the easiest holes receiving the least handicap strokes.

Calculating a handicap is often complicated, but essentially it is representative of the average over par of a number of a player's previous above average rounds, adjusted for course difficulty. Legislation regarding the calculation of handicaps differs among countries. For example, handicap rules may include the difficulty of the course the golfer is playing on by taking into consideration factors such as the number of bunkers, the length of the course, the difficulty and slopes of the greens, the width of the fairways, and so on.

Handicap systems are not used in professional golf. Professional golfers often score several strokes below par for a round and thus have a calculated handicap of 0 or less, meaning that their handicap results in the addition of strokes to their round score. Someone with a handicap of zero or less is often referred to as a scratch golfer.

Popularity

Golf course on the western coast of India.

In 2005, Golf Digest calculated that the countries with most golf courses per capita, starting with the best endowed were: Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Canada, Wales, United States, Sweden, and England (countries with fewer than 500,000 people were excluded). Apart from Sweden, all of these countries have English as the majority language, but the number of courses in new territories is increasing rapidly.

The most notable example of this phenomenon is China. The first golf course in the People's Republic of China opened in 1984, but by the end of 2009 there were roughly 600 in the country. Jack Nicklaus, who in late 2009 had either designed or had plans to design 35 courses in China, claimed in October of that year that China had plans to build 1,400 public courses in the next five years (currently, only a small number of China's courses are public), although a Chinese golf industry insider called Nicklaus' claim "bullshit".^[25] For the last several years, development of new golf courses has been officially banned, but the number of courses has nonetheless tripled since 2004; the "ban" has been easily evaded with the government's tacit approval simply by not mentioning golf in any development plans.^[25]

In the United States, the number of people who play golf 25 times or more per year decreased from 6.9 million in 2000 to 4.6 million in 2005,^[26] according to the National Golf Foundation. The NGF reported that the number who played golf at all decreased from 30 to 26 million over the same period.^[26]

Professional golf

Main article: Professional golfer

The majority of professional golfers work as club or teaching professionals (pros), and only compete in local competitions. A small elite of professional golfers are "tournament pros" who compete full time on international "tours". Many club and teaching professionals working in the golf industry start as caddies or a general interest in the game, finding employment at golf courses and eventually moving on to certifications in their chosen profession. These programs include independent institutions and universities, and those that eventually lead to a Class A golf professional certification.

Instruction

Indoor putting green for practice and instruction

Main article: Golf instruction

Golf instruction involves the teaching and learning of the game of golf. Proficiency in teaching golf instruction requires not only technical and physical ability, but also knowledge of the rules and etiquette of the game. In some countries, golf instruction is best performed by teachers certified by the Professional Golfers Association. Some top instructors who work with professional golfers have become quite well-known in their own right. Instructors use a combination of physical conditioning, mental visualization, classroom sessions, club fitting, driving range instruction, on-course play under real conditions, and review of videotaped swings in slow motion to teach golf.

Golf tours

Main article: Professional golf tours

There are at least twenty professional golf tours, each run by a PGA or an independent tour organization, which is responsible for arranging events, finding sponsors, and regulating the tour. Typically a tour has "members" who are entitled to compete in most of its events, and also invites non-members to compete in some of them. Gaining membership of an elite tour is highly competitive, and most professional golfers never achieve it.

The most widely known tour is the PGA Tour, which tends to attract the strongest fields, outside the four Majors and the four World Golf Championships events. This is due mostly to the fact that most PGA Tour events have a first prize of at least US $800,000. The PGA European Tour, which attracts a substantial number of top golfers from outside North America, ranks second to the PGA Tour in worldwide prestige. Some top professionals from outside North America play enough tournaments to maintain membership on both the PGA Tour and European Tour.

The other leading men's tours include the Japan Golf Tour, the Asian Tour (Asia outside Japan), the PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Sunshine Tour (for Southern Africa, primarily South Africa). The Japan, Australasian, Sunshine, PGA, and European Tours are the charter members of the trade body of the world's main tours, the International Federation of PGA Tours, founded in 1996. The Asian Tour became a full member in 1999. The Canadian Tour became an associate member of the Federation in 2000, and the Tour de las Américas (Latin America) became an associate member of the Federation in 2007. The Federation underwent a major expansion in 2009 which saw 11 new tours become full members—the Canadian Tour, Tour de las Américas, China Golf Association, the Korea Professional Golfers' Association, Professional Golf Tour of India, and the operators of all six major women's tours worldwide. The OneAsia Tour, founded in 2009, is not a member of the Federation, but was founded as a joint venture of the Australasia, China, Japan, and Korean tours. The charter members of the Federation, as well as the Asian, Canadian and OneAsia Tours, offer points in the Official World Golf Rankings to players who place sufficiently high in their events.

Golf is unique in having lucrative competition for older players. There are several senior tours for men 50 and older, the best known of which is the U.S.-based Champions Tour.

There are six principal tours for women, each based in a different country or continent. The most prestigious of these is the United States based LPGA Tour. All of the principal tours offer points in theWomen's World Golf Rankings for high finishers in their events.

All of the leading professional tours for under-50 players have an official developmental tour, in which the leading players at the end of the season will earn a tour card on the main tour for the following season. Examples include the Nationwide Tour, which feeds to the PGA Tour, and the Challenge Tour, which is the developmental tour of the European Tour. The Nationwide and Challenge Tours also offer Official World Golf Rankings points.

Men's major championships

Tiger Woods

Main article: Men's major golf championships

The major championships are the four most prestigious men's tournaments of the year. In chronological order they are: The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship(referred to in North America as the British Open) and the PGA Championship.^[27]

The fields for these events include the top several dozen golfers from all over the world. The Masters has been played at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia since its inception in 1934. It is the only major championship that is played at the same course each year.^[28] The U.S. Open and PGA Championship are played at courses around the United States, while The Open Championship is played at courses in the UK.^[29]^[30]^[31]

Prior to the advent of the PGA Championship and The Masters, the four Majors were the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur, the Open Championship, and the British Amateur.

Women's major championships

Lorena Ochoa; the recently retired number one female golfer, pictured here in 2007.

Main article: Women's major golf championships

Women's golf does not have a globally agreed set of majors. The list of majors recognised by the dominant women's tour, the LPGA Tour in the U.S., has changed several times over the years, with the last change in 2001. Like the PGA Tour, the (U.S.) LPGA^[32] has four majors: the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA Championship, theU.S. Women's Open and the Women's British Open. Only the last of these is also recognised by the Ladies European Tour. The other event that it recognises as a major is the Evian Masters, which is not considered a major by the LPGA (but is co-sanctioned as a regular LPGA event). However, the significance of this is limited, as the LPGA is far more dominant in women's golf than the PGA Tour is in mainstream men's golf. For example, the BBC has been known to use the U.S. definition of "women's majors" without qualifying it. Also, the Ladies' Golf Union, the governing body for women's golf in the UK and Republic of Ireland, states on its official website that the Women's British Open is "the only Women's Major to be played outside the U.S."^[33] For many years, the Ladies European Tour tacitly acknowledged the dominance of the LPGA Tour by not scheduling any of its own events to conflict with the three LPGA majors played in the U.S., but that changed in 2008, with the LET scheduling an event opposite the LPGA Championship. The second-richest women's tour, the LPGA of Japan Tour, does not recognise any of the U.S. LPGA or European majors as it has its own set of majors (historically three, since 2008 four). However, these events attract little notice outside Japan.

Senior major championships

Main article: Senior major golf championships

Senior (50-and-over) men's golf does not have a globally agreed upon set of majors. The list of senior majors on the U.S.-based Champions Tour has changed over the years, but always by expansion. The Champions Tour now recognises five majors: the Senior PGA Championship, the United States Senior Open, the Senior British Open Championship, The Tradition and the Senior Players Championship.

Of the five events, the Senior PGA is by far the oldest, having been founded in 1937. The other events all date from the 1980s, when senior golf became a commercial success as the first golf stars of the television era, such as Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, reached the relevant age. The Senior British Open was not recognised as a major by the Champions Tour until 2003. The European Seniors Tour recognises only the Senior PGA and the two Senior Opens as majors. However, the Champions Tour is arguably more dominant in global senior golf than the U.S. LPGA is in global women's golf.

Events

Pet Services Are A Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry

2010-11-14T18:06:00.001-08:00

Pet Services Are A

Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry

by: Thaddeus

Collins

There are many of us who consider our pets as part of the family, and

this is evidenced by a recent statistic that states 65% of all U.S.

homes own at least one pet. Along with this increase in pet ownership

comes the need for services tailored for our pet’s comfort. And, because

of this trend, pet services have grown into a multi-billion-dollar

industry that encompasses a wide range of services from pet supplies to

recovery services aimed at returning our lost pets.

The largest industry leader is still pet supply, and companies like

PetCo and PetSmart are the leading forces, providing everything from pet

foods to grooming. Companies like these have evolved because their

services are based on the growth of the pet population, and our need to

make our pets feel like a family member. This focus has driven the

industry from a single section in discount and grocery stores into a

wide range of businesses that are tailored at pampering our pets.

One of the services that have grown out of this industry are pet sitting

services that will, as the title implies sit for your pet like a baby

sitter sits for you children. These services can range from kennels with

all the amenities that will pamper your pet while your on extended

absences, to small home services that sit for your pets while your at

work. The cost for the services can range from a few dollars per hour

for basic sitting services to a few thousand dollars for the more posh

kennel services that cater to your pets’ every need.

Then there are the specialty service that have become popular by their

use in movies and television commercials, and the most recognized of

these is the pet walking services. Pet walking services became popular

in movies of cosmopolitan life in the inner city, and this service has

grown ever since. Another popular service, but not as glamorous is the

poopey scooper service, that effectively keeps our streets clean. And,

with the recent laws that have been enacted regarding this issue, this

service is becoming ever popular.

And finally there are services that have become popular with the growth

of the internet; one type of service that is growing is the pet recovery

field. This service helps pet owners recover their pets by providing a

place to list their pet in advance, so when the lost pet is found, the

owners contact information can be retrieved. One company that also

includes a free pet identification tag with registration is

RecoveryPets.Com and their website is located at

http://www.recoverypets.com, and this enables the finder to quickly find

the lost pets’ owner by knowing exactly what site visit.

Because of these specialty services our pets are more pampered and

secure, and if the pet ownership population continues to grow, we will

see an increase in the number of services dedicated to our pets, and the

continued growth of this multi-billion dollar industry.

How to Save Money on Wedding and Baby Shower Favors

2010-11-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

How to Save Money on

Wedding and Baby Shower Favors

by: Criss

White

Planning on having a wedding or baby shower soon? Getting favors is a
nice way of saying thank you to your guests for coming. Here are some
tips for saving money when purchasing baby shower or wedding favors.

1) Buy extras off other people - Oftentimes, people get too many favors
for their occasion. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry. Once
the celebration is over, however, these people may be willing to sell
you their leftover favors at a sharp discount. If you don't know anyone
personally, then look in the classifieds in both local and national
papers as well as online auction sites like ebay.

2) Buy in bulk and sell the leftovers - Sometimes you will be able to
save money by buying in bulk. You can sell the extras to other people.
If you know other people that are having weddings or baby showers, then
you can combine your orders and benefit from lower costs and possibly
bulk purchase incentives like free shipping.

3) Make your own favors - If you are crafty, then you can make your own
favors. Purchase all the materials at your local craft shop or online.
Since you are making them from scratch, you can customize and
personalize as well. People will appreciate the effort that went into
making your own favors.

4) Find a craftsman - If you find a local craftsman or artist, then
there is a chance that you can get a great price from them for your
favors. Another possibility is an art student that is still in school.
They will usually work for less money than a full time professional.

5) Flea markets and thrift shops - Flea markets and thrift shops are
great places to locate bargain items. Also check out closeouts, store
sales, garage sales, and live auctions. Oftentimes, you can also
negotiate prices with these vendors.

As you can see, there are many ways to save money when shopping for
gifts for your guests. Follow these tips and you are sure to save money
or favors and supplies for your wedding, baby shower, or any other
special occasion.

About the author:

Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics
for baby and pregnancy websites. See Cheap
baby shower favors(www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/cheap.htm) and Inexpensive
baby shower favors(www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/inexpensive.htm) for
affordable baby shower supplies. Note: If you find this article useful,
you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your newsletter as
long as the credits and resource box remain in tact and the hyperlinks
are active.

How to Make Your Own Refrigerator Magnets

2010-11-14T18:02:00.001-08:00

How to Make Your Own tor Magnets

by: Criss

White

There are several types of refrigerator magnets that you can make with a
little effort and the right materials. Below are some ideas for making
magnets for gifts or just for fun.

1. First you need to gather the needed ingredients. The easiest magnets
to make are flat magnets that you print out on your printer. These
magnets are great for personalized favors and gifts. You will need
special magnet sheets that are designed to be printed on, which should
be available at most office supply stores as well as online.

2. If you are artistic, then you can draw your own images and scan them
into your computer. Or you can draw them using a paint program. If not,
you can do a search for free clip art and images, which should turn up
plenty of images that you can use. These images can be imported into a
word processor.

3. Next, you can insert the desired text. To make sure the text is
readable, insert a box with solid background into the picture. This is
where you will insert your personalized text.

4. Finally, print out your magnets on your color printer. If you don't
have a color printer, then you local copy shop should be able to print
these out for you for a reasonable fee.

5. You can also make three-dimensional magnets by using plaster of paris
and cookie or soap molds. Fill the molds with the wet plaster and insert
a circular magnet into the wet plaster. Cookie cutters can also be used
instead of molds.

6. Once the plaster dries, the magnets can now be painted. Other types
of decorations can be used as well, like glitter. Once the paint dries,
you will have a lovely keepsake item or gift that will last for years.

In summary, with a few cheap ingredients and a little time, anyone can
make their own refrigerator magnets. Enjoy!

About the author:

Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics
for baby and pregnancy websites. See Save
the date baby shower magnets(www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/pe007.htm)
for more magnet ideas and Baby
Shower Magnets - Favors (www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/magnets.htm)
for other related baby shower supplies. Note: If you find this article
useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your
newsletter as long as the credits and resource box remain in tact and
the hyperlinks are active.

How to Make Your Own Soap Favors for Weddings and Baby Showers

2010-11-14T17:58:00.001-08:00

How to Make Your Own

Soap Favors for Weddings and Baby Showers

by: Criss

White

Want to make soap as a gift for your party guests? Here are some simple

tips for making soap gifts and favors:

1. There are literally hundreds of different ingredients that can be

used for soap making. Basically, you will need the following - soap

chips or soap base, essential or fragrance oil for scent, and colorants.

You will also need a soap mold and a pot to melt the soap in.

2. The easiest way to make soap is to take an already made bar of soap

and melt it down. The bar will already have all the ingredients you need

in it. You can then pour the soap into a mold of your choice or shape it

as desired. Or you can use a cookie cutter or knife to shape it while it

is still warm.

3. If you are using raw ingredients, simply pour and mix them in the

mold of your choice.

4. Heating - Make sure to heat the soap slowly to prevent combustion or

degradation of smell. 130°F - 155°F is a good general range, although

there are slight variations depending on what ingredients you use. Try

not to leave the soap unattended for long periods of time while heating.

5. Scent - You won't need too much fragrance oil to scent your soap

because scented oil is generally highly concentrated and strong. 0.5-1oz

of oil is sufficient to scent a whole pound of soap. The amount you use

will depend on the strength of the oil, which varies based on the scent.

Mix the oil in with the soap while heating.

6. Coloring - Once again, you will probably not need to much coloring

agent. Add a few drops at a time and watch the color change.

7. Mold selection - You can select molds that are themed to your

occasion or just use a standard bar mold. For weddings, angels, hearts,

and wedding cakes are popular shapes. For baby showers, baby carriages,

bottles, and Disney characters are some common themes. The soap can also

be carved. If you use a standard bar mold, you can still add

personalized themed tags.

8. Finishing touches - After your soap is made, seal it inside a

cellophane bag, organza bag, or gift box. Add a favor charms,

personalized tag, and message and you have a nice favor for your guest.

Generally, you will want soaps that are 1oz - 3oz in size. These gifts

will be used by your guests and are a simple, but effective way to say

thank you.

About the author:

Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics

for baby and pregnancy websites. See Baby

Shower Soap Favors(www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/bb.htm) for more soap

favor ideas and Make

Your Own Baby Shower Favors (www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/make-your-own.htm)

for other related baby shower supplies. Note: If you find this article

useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your

newsletter as long as the credits and resource box remain in tact and

the hyperlinks are active.

SATELLITE TV BY DISH NETWORK DEALS A BLOW TO UNHAPPY MARRIAGES

2010-11-14T17:56:00.001-08:00

SATELLITE TV BY DISH

NETWORK DEALS A BLOW TO UNHAPPY MARRIAGES

by: Edward

Jerin

You might be surprised to know that television is one of the main causes

of domestic disputes in America. Either the husband is so ensnared by a

NFL game that causes the wife to nag him about work around the house, or

the wife is so infatuated with Brad Pitt that she grapples with the

husband for the remote control. These are but a few of the instances

when television spells trouble for the marriage, and when fact is

actually stranger than fiction.

Hence, we MIGHT conclude that if there is a way to reconcile seemingly

conflicting television habits, then it can also be a way to reconcile

marital differences.

DirecTV DVR by Tivo is a revolutionary product . On one hand, you have

the excellent digital quality and a splendid abundance of channels

offered by DirecTV, the leader in satellite television broadcasting. On

the other, you have Tivo, hailed as the invention that actually changed

the face of television viewing. DirecTV DVR by Tivo , being the best

thing that has ever happened to our television enjoyment, can also be

more efficient than most marriage counselors in the land.

DirecTV DVR by Tivo, with its dual tuners, can record two shows at the

same time. It could also allow you to watch one live feed, while

recording the other. At home, the spouses no longer have to argue

between watching Tom Cruise or the Hawaiian Tropic girls The wife could

indulge on some masculine charms while the husband records the

fascinating young ladies for future viewing.

DirecTV DVR by Tivo also promises 35 hours of storage.That means that

the family can take a two week road trip to visit the in-laws and nobody

will miss a single episode of their favorite TV show. Everything they

want to watch will be waiting safely for their return. .

Additionally, DirecTV DVR allows users to pause a live feed, something

considered impossible in the past. That means that he can freeze the

game while he pays for the pizza, or she can put her show on hold while

helping herself to a snack in the kitchen. Nothing has to be missed! The

husband can simply freeze an NFL game to comply with the wife’s wishes

that he tends to their six-month old baby .

If he knows she goes gaga over the mere sight of Keanu Reeves, he could

simply program the DirecTV DVR to search the schedules by the actor’s

name and the box would automatically record all the shows where that

actor makes an appearance. that ought to earn a few brownie points!

Lastly, our happy couple could simply celebrate a peaceful evening

together while enjoying the crystal clear quality of digital broadcast

as enhanced by the DirecTV DVR. They could laugh and cry together, while

savoring each other’s company with a loving embrace. Though marriage

counseling professionals might frown as they begin to lose business,

DirecTV DVR by Tivo could prove to be the best thing marriage has ever

seen.

From Penny Pincher to " Coupon Queen "

2010-11-14T17:54:00.000-08:00

From Penny Pincher to "

Coupon Queen "

by: Melissa

Garcia

You've heard the the old saying"Nothing in life is free" right? Well not

anymore. My name is Melissa Garcia and I am a mother of two children

,Taylor my daughter and Ryan my son. I got married in 1995 and we

decided to have our first child 6 months after.Thats when my husband and

I decided that I was going to be a stay at home mom. My husband bought

us a computer and soon we got the internet. Boy did that open a whole

new world to me! I soon started chatting with moms who clipped

coupons,sent in refunds and frequented freebie boards.

My husband thought I was silly. The first month I would save over half

on my grocery bill, the second month I was bringing home receipts

showing him how I got stuff free at the grocery store. I think he must

have feel out of his chair when the third month came along and I came

home and the store actually had to pay me to shop there (sitting here

laughing and reminicing all these memories while writing this).

Well friends and relatives start asking how are you doing this? So of

course I got them started and then eventually started my own website

online! My site started out small but quickly grew to over 2,000 people

now both men and women and we are growing larger everyday.

Everything is growing so quickly that even my children have stepped into

help. My children set down with me and help me sort, staple & cut my

coupons. They are learning the value of saving money. Of course daughter

is picking up on it faster than my my son. Ryan will say mom can we get

that and Taylor will say "Not unless mom has a coupon for it" LOL!! I do

alot for people and Im very envolved in my childrens activities. Im one

of those people who can't say no LOL and sometimes I feel stressed and

under appreciated. I know there are other people out there like me and

that is another reason why I started this website. Everyone I know calls

me the "Coupon Queen".. My husband is so proud of me that he carries a

picture around of me standing next to my free stuff!!.Why even our local

news station has called me to do SEVERAL interviews which you can see at

http://www.channeloklahoma.com (do a search for coupon queen) My dream

now is to go on the "Oprah Show"!!!

We will be starting some coupon classes and also hope to get involved

with the battered womens shelters soon!! We hope this gets you as much

enjoyment and money savings tips as we do!!

ABOUT OUR SITE:

On our site you can learn how to get FREE stuff from Major companys

online with no strings attached!! My mailbox is always filled with

goodies. Also did you know there are online sites that will give you

FREE Gift Certificates just for registering and visiting there online

merchants, no purchase necessary!! I have gotten FREE gift certificates

to places like, Toys r us, Target, Walmart, and TJ Maxx.

I tell people how to look for offers in grocery stores from major

companies offering free stuff like FREE Movie Tickets just for sending

in upc's from their products.Dont forget getting your groceries at 70 to

80% off using coupons! We show you how to get the best deals!

We also have a shoppers alert board Where people post about good deals

they find online like office max offering a $20 off any $20 purchase you

just pay shipping. Target is one of our favorites. We teach women how to

REALLY shop targets clearance section. We are usually the first ones to

find the deals as sometimes we find out about stuff thats on clereance

before its even marked!!! You should see my gift closet. I already have

most of my Christmas shopping done!! We help each other out when we find

an amazing clearance sale like $60 karioke machine that I got for $9 or

the $100 pokemon gameboys that were not marked clereance but rang up $10

or $15!!!!!

Oh and you cant forget saving money around the home. We have remedies

you can make at home like Homemade baby wipes and dryer sheets.Learn how

to make your household items last longer. I also talk about sweepstakes!

I have won a trip to Cancun and San Antonio.I have won birthday partys

for my daughter, 2 cases of cereal ,$100 in groceries and many other

items!! My family and friends call me the FRUGAL QUEEN!!!!

Kathie is our Technical Liason and Graphics Coordinator and with out her

I don't know what we'd do. So if you like what you see give Kathie a

hollar & let her know!!!

Anyone can be a " Frugal/Coupon Queen " and we'll show you how!! And

don't forget when you get all those good deals don't forget to donate to

you local shelter!!!

To find out more go to: http://www.morestealsanddeals.com

About the author:

Melissa Garcia

CouponQueenofok@aol.com

Edmond,Oklahoma

You may use this article for free for non profit as long as you keep its

authenticity and you email me to let me know where it will be posted or

published as I would love to let my readers know.I have a pic that would

go great with this article if you'd like to email me for it.

Why cockatiel is the best pet bird for the beginner

2010-11-14T17:46:00.001-08:00

Why cockatiel is the

best pet bird for the beginner

by: Tanin

Eh Boon

Why cockatiel is the
best pet bird for the beginner

by: Tanin
Eh Boon

By Tanin Eh Boon from www.pet-cockatiel.com

Cockatiel bird have been kept and breed successfully in many countries
all around the world. Cockatiel bird can be considered as the most
widely kept parrot other than parakeet or budgie (budgerigar). Lots of
research or expert of cockatiel emerge and many keeper have lots and
lots of knowledge of cockatiel bird and their care.

I prepared this topic especially for newcomer birds enthusiast who still
unable to make the decision about what species of parrot that they would
like to buy. Well, there are lots and lots of parrot out there in the
market. Some is very good for petting but some may not. However, for
many people who haven’t own any pet parrot or any pet birds, many will
feel that parrot will be the same, with good personality, very friendly,
good talker, a cuddle creature and a good friend when we are lonely.
However, in fact it is not. Some parrot may be very nippy (bite) and
rude, some parrot will tend to attached to only one person (and rude to
other people), some parrot may not talk at all, while some other species
may not give permission to anyone to cuddle them.

Okay, now we may go the some of the reason why in my opinion, cockatiel
is one of the best pet bird for the beginner. Having said this, I didn’t
mean that beginner should only keep cockatiel or cockatiel is the only
choices – the pet bird enthusiast actually have other option, lots of
them but that is only if they are willing to learn more about the
species that they choose or interested in.

Price

Price can become major obstacle for the pet bird or pet parrot
enthusiast to own their dream bird. Since price of a parrot can range
from few buck up until ten of thousand dollar, price is sometime a
critical in deciding which parrot that the new comer should choose.

In Malaysia and I believed it happen to many other countries all around
the world, price of a cockatiel is not expensive. Price may be different
based on the colour mutation of the cockatiel and whether the cockatiel
is handfed or parent fed. Normally parent fed cockatiel is cheaper than
handfed cockatiel. This is because for handfed cockatiel, the breeder
have to spent more time, effort and cost to feed the baby, while for
parent fed cockatiel, the breeder didn’t have to put extra effort to the
bird and definitely they will have lower cost.

If we compared price of a pet cockatiel ( a good, healthy handfed baby
cockatiel which can make good pet) with other species with similar
quality (healthy and handfed baby birds) of the bigger parrot , the
price is totally different. For the beginner, I think the price of a pet
cockatiel is reasonable (even it is not the cheapest).

Noise level

Personally I think all parrot will make some noise. Some of them will
have rough squak while some other may have melodies whistling. However,
for the normal rule the bigger the parrot it is more likely that they
able (able but not necessary they will do) to make higher level of
noice. I highlight this topic up because I understand that not everyone
have the priviledge to own a very big house (and area) which will able
to prevent the noice from their parrot to disturb their neigbhour.

In many occasion, new comer in pet bird or pet parrot keeping fall in
love with their dreamed parrot in the first sight or from their reading.
They may heard or read about the parrot ability from books or from
internet or they may have some friend who have this species of parrot
and the parrot able to ‘speak’ (mimic) or perform some trick. However,
many fail to realise that different people will have different level of
tolerance towards noice level. For some people, they are okay with the
noise that their parrot have (in the morning, afternoon and evening and
sometimes all day until middle of the night). We also should consider
this with the people live around us a.k.a our neigbhour.

Cockatiel will create some noise or whistling sound every now and then
especially in the morning and late afternoon. However, if only one
individual cockatiel is kept, the noise level that they able to create
is not much and still at minimal level compared to other bigger parrot.
Cockatiel also didn’t have high pitch sound like lovebirds. They also
normally not always ‘sing’ like budgie do. Generally one can keep
cockatiel in all type of house – whether it is an apartment, a single
house, a link house (terrace house) or a bungalow.

Talking abilities

Generally many parrot will able to mimic. This is not happen to every
individual birds but lots of them do. The main different among one
species and other is clearity of their voice. Normally big parrot will
be easier to train to talk and will have clearer voice. Among the best
talker known at this time is African Grey Parrot, Eclectus parrot and
Amazon parrot. Cockatoos and macaw family also talk but they are not
rank in the top talker bird.

In small parrot category, cockatiel is one of the parrot that have the
ability to talk (mimic). Many will learn how to say ‘hello’ and some
other phrase which will depend on the training given by the owner. Based
on my reading, the species of parrot that hold the records of most
vocabulary ( english word) is budgies! strange right ? I believed that
many people will think it should be from big parrot family.

I have raised many baby cockatiel and most of them have gone to other
good house. There are one individual who currently own by one of my
friend which able to mimic ‘hello’. This particular cockatiel name
‘Cupid’, and is less than a year when he mimic that word. If the
cockatiel is a handfed baby, they are friendly and more trainable. They
are more likely to mimic if the owner spend proper time with them
everyday.

Good personality

Human have kept parrot since long time. However, in early stage most of
the parrot is from wild caught. Only few that is captive breed. Later,
aviculturist is growing and more parrot are produce in captivity. I
believed now some of the species that we keep today is totally from
captive breed stock and not from wild cought anymore. However, most of
the parrot is still exotic and their personality is either still similar
to their cousin in the wild or they are still not domesticated. I
believed that there are many parrot out there in the market that didn’t
have good personality or friendly behaviour.

As far as my experience with my cockatiel, which I believed is more than
100 individual bird (many of them have been sent to good home), I think
cockatiel have good, calm and friendly personality. Cockatiel rarely
bullies other birds even from smaller species. (provided that they are
house in good home and good environment). They normally not charge to
people to bite.

Cockatiel also not very moody whereby if the cockatiel is tame, it will
be tame. I mean it will not act like a ‘good boy’ in front of you and
bite you if you didn’t look at them! Yes, some parrot do this… when you
look at them they may stay still but once you didn’t look they come and
bite you and they bite hard! Having said this, if the cockatiel is not
tame, they will still bite us if we try to catch him.

Cockatiel rarely have mean personality. Most of the cockatiel is
friendly, (but some individual is more friendly than other). Handfed
cockatiel will still become a tame pet birds even after few year we put
them in breeding stock. However, it must be given some time to be used
to us again.

Small and compact in size.

Many people likely to be attracted to large bird or parrot. Obvoiusly
because they are big and look so elegance. But while these species of
parrot look very elegance, they also need lot of space to live happily.
For some species of parrot, ten of feets of avairy is their minimum
requirement for them to able to perform a healthy lifesyle. Therefore,
in many cases many people will prefer to keep smaller species which
similair behaviour or pet quality.

Cockatiel didn’t need a very big cage to live happily. A cage of about 3
feet is somehow can make the birds flip their wings and stay healthy.
Their cage also didn’t have to be very strong as they are not so
destructive. When they are outside their cage, they are also didn’t
create any damage to the furniture.

To conclude, there are lots of pets parrot in the market. However, for
the beginner I still recommend smaller species of parrot or birds. In
these smaller species, definitely cockatiel bird is one of the best
option that they should consider.

Okay, now we may go the some of the reason why in my opinion, cockatiel
is one of the best pet bird for the beginner. Having said this, I didn’t
mean that beginner should only keep cockatiel or cockatiel is the only
choices – the pet bird enthusiast actually have other option, lots of
them but that is only if they are willing to learn more about the
species that they choose or interested in.

Price

Price can become major obstacle for the pet bird or pet parrot
enthusiast to own their dream bird. Since price of a parrot can range
from few buck up until ten of thousand dollar, price is sometime a
critical in deciding which parrot that the new comer should choose.

In Malaysia and I believed it happen to many other countries all around
the world, price of a cockatiel is not expensive. Price may be different
based on the colour mutation of the cockatiel and whether the cockatiel
is handfed or parent fed. Normally parent fed cockatiel is cheaper than
handfed cockatiel. This is because for handfed cockatiel, the breeder
have to spent more time, effort and cost to feed the baby, while for
parent fed cockatiel, the breeder didn’t have to put extra effort to the
bird and definitely they will have lower cost.

If we compared price of a pet cockatiel ( a good, healthy handfed baby
cockatiel which can make good pet) with other species with similar
quality (healthy and handfed baby birds) of the bigger parrot , the
price is totally different. For the beginner, I think the price of a pet
cockatiel is reasonable (even it is not the cheapest).

Noise level

Personally I think all parrot will make some noise. Some of them will
have rough squak while some other may have melodies whistling. However,
for the normal rule the bigger the parrot it is more likely that they
able (able but not necessary they will do) to make higher level of
noice. I highlight this topic up because I understand that not everyone
have the priviledge to own a very big house (and area) which will able
to prevent the noice from their parrot to disturb their neigbhour.

Baby Shower Planning and Hosting

2010-11-14T17:31:00.001-08:00

Baby Shower Planning

and Hosting

by: Criss

White

Planning and organization are crucial to hosting a successful baby

shower. Below are some important topics to consider when planning:

1) Who will host the shower?

The person that plans and hosts the shower can be anyone, but is usually

someone who is close to the new or expecting mother. Normally, a close

friend or family member will do all the preparations, but sometimes the

new mother will help as well, particularly with the guest list.

Sometimes a small group of friends can plan the event together.

In the event of a surprise baby shower, planning must occur more

carefully and invitations should be sent out in secret. In this

circumstance, people who are not as close to the new mother will be

involved in acquiring supplies and getting the word out.

2) Who should be invited?

Be sure to invite all the mother's friends and family to the event. If

planning a surprise party, make sure that everyone you tell helps spread

the word. A close friend or family member may know most of the mother's

friends, but it can also be helpful to ask co-workers and other friends

to make sure that no one is left out.

Also, men are increasingly being included in these parties. An all

women's shower can be different than a shower with both men and women,

so the planner should consider these things as well.

If other young children will be in attendance, then make sure to plan

events for them too. Not planning for children is a common oversight

that adults make when planning parties of this nature. Baby shower games

are a fun way for both children and adults to celebrate.

3) Where and when should the shower occur?

The party should be held at a location that is comfortable to the new

mother. Oftentimes, the most common place to host a party is at a

friend's or family member's home. In this case, the mother will not have

to worry about cleaning up afterwards.

Sometimes, the party is hosted at the mother's place. This can be

convenient as well because the mother doesn't have to go anywhere.

Friends of the mother can help with the clean up afterwards.

For larger baby showers, banquet halls or other locations can be rented.

Other places include parks, restaurants, catered dining rooms, or

anywhere else that might be appropriate. It is okay to plan things

differently as long as the mother and everyone else has a good time.

Most baby showers occur several weeks before the baby is due. Sometimes

showers occur after the baby is born, which allows the guest to see the

new baby. When to have the baby shower is entirely based on the

preferences of the host and the mother.

Most showers occur on the weekends. Saturday is a popular day for these

parties. They can occur in the afternoon or evening, depending on

various factors, like people's schedules and how much you want to spend.

Generally, dinner parties are more expensive than hosting lunch.

4) What activites should be planned?

There are many games and activities that can be planned in advance to

make a baby shower memorable. Baby themed games are a fun way for

everyone to celebrate a new baby. Do a search for "baby shower games" on

the internet and you will find many games, some of which you can

purchase and some that are free.

A short speech of congratulations is also a nice surprise for the new

mother. If such a speech occurs, it is usually from a close friend or

family member. A good time for congratulations is before eating lunch or

dinner.

Finally, make some time before, between, and after events for everyone

to mingle with the new or expecting mom.

5) What kind of food is appropriate?

The food at the party does not necessarily have to be baby-themed,

although that can be a nice touch. The most common baby-themed food is

baby shower diaper cake. Your local bakery can also make other items

like cookies and pastries in the shape of baby blocks, pacifiers, rubber

ducks, and other baby items. Or you can make them yourself. Most

importantly, make sure to pick food that everyone will enjoy.

If you are hiring a caterer, then be sure to ask them about their ideas

and experiences with baby showers. They may have some creative ideas

that you may not have thought about.

6) Decorations and party favors.

Your local party supply store will probably have plenty of decorations

for your baby shower. Specifically themed decorations can also be

purchased online.

Buying party favors for your guests is always a nice way to say thank

you for coming. These gifts for your guests can range from themed

candies to more expensive keepsakes, including personalized items.

Special prizes can also be given out for game winners or other people

who have been important in the mother's life and during the pregnancy.

7) During the party.

Greet the guests when they arrive and have others help out if necessary

to make sure everything runs smoothly. And finally, don't forget to have

fun after all the planning and preparation.

How to Make Personalized Candle Gifts from Ordinary Candles

2010-11-14T17:29:00.001-08:00

How to Make

Personalized Candle Gifts from Ordinary Candles

by: Criss

White

If you are looking for a fun gift to make for any occasion, then

personalized candle making may be something you would like to consider.

There are many ways to make personalized candles, depending on how much

time and money you are willing to spend. With just a little extra time

and effort, you can make a personalized candle out of an otherwise

ordinary candle gift that the lucky recipient will love.

1. The simplest way to make a personalized candle is get a normal candle

at your local candle store. Even general retail stores like Walmart

sometimes have candles for sale. Candles come in all shapes and sizes,

but almost any candle can be personalized.

2. Anything smaller than a tea light will be difficult to personalize.

For tea light candles, you can normally purchase a big bag for a low

price. These candles are great as favors for guests at a wedding or baby

shower. The easiest way to personalize is to use either a graphics

program on your computer or a word processor. We'll stick with the Word

processor since it is easier. First, draw a circle the same dimensions

as the lid on the tea light, or better yet use a circular label sheet.

Then select a nice font, like cursive script or Corsiva. You can enter

then names and date of the event into the circle. Print out a sample on

plain paper to make sure the look and size is right. Once you have the

desired result, you can print your tea light label stickers. Finally,

apply the sticker onto the top of the tea light.

3. For jar candles, you can create a square-shaped personalized label.

Since you have more area to work with, you can download free graphics

from the Internet. Search the web for "free clip art" and download the

images you want. Once again print out a sample on plain paper and then

print the label. If you don't have a color printer, you can go to a

local copier and they can make a nice label for you. Stick the label on

the jar. Now you have created a unique gift personalized just for that

special person.

4. For tall pillar candles, you can get those engraved at an engraving

shop (look in the phone book under engravers). The artwork and text can

come in different colors. If you are artistic, you can even buy

candle-engraving kits online and do it yourself.

5. How about those 1oz votive candles? For a professional looking gift,

get cellophane bags and colored ribbon. Wrap the candle in the cello bag

and tie it up with the ribbon. Then attach a personalized tag to the

ribbon. These candles can also be engraved.

6. If you can make candles, then there are limitless possibilities. You

can use different fragrances oils to create scented candles. You can use

embeds for decoration. Cookie cutters and molds are also useful for

designing the right shape.

In summary, you can take an ordinary store candle and make it a very

special gift with just a little more effort. Your friends and loved ones

will cherish these gifts for years to come.

A Complete Guide For Parents To Choose The Best Toys For Their Children

2010-11-14T17:27:00.000-08:00

A Complete Guide For

Parents To Choose The Best Toys For Their Children

by: Eugen

Lisov

Do you remember how it was when you where a child? What was your main

activity? Was it working? Of course not. Your main activity was playing.

You had no concerns. You needed toys and your parents where supposed to

provide you with them. They had to find toys you wouldn’t throw away and

believe me, it wasn’t easy for them.

Now you are a parent and you are in the same situation as your parents

years ago. You’re looking for toys that your child will like. That’s why

you must know how to choose the right toys. My parents made one common

mistake: they would buy me toys that they considered wonderful. But

usually, when they would give me the toy, I would either consider it too

girlish or too boring. It wasn’t fun for them to see how a toy they

bought for me to play with would stay forgotten in my closet.

How to find out what’s the right toy for your child?

Just watch your child closely to determine his preferred activities,

skills level, preferred band(s) and movie(s), and so on. Based on these

observations you can get a clue on what types of toys your child would

prefer. For instance, if your child loves the movie Lord of the Rings, I

bet that he’ll also like Lord of the Rings toys… (

http://www.child-toys-guide.com/lord-of-the-rings-toys.shtml )

Now don’t just go into the first toy shop and buy the first Lord of the

Rings toy you find. Observations aren’t enough. There are some other

very important factors you must consider. Adding them into the equation

helps ensure you that your child will have lots of fun with the toy

you’ll choose to buy for him.

Here are the factors you must consider when choosing toys for your

child:

• Child’s age – This is very important. If you buy toys too advanced for

your child’s age, chances are that he might get injured. Toy

manufacturers struggle to make their products as safe as possible, but

if you don’t follow their recommendations, your child may suffer. On the

other hand, if you buy toys made for children with age under that of

your child, he will consider them too boring. The best thing is to

choose toys designed precisely for your child’s age. Here are two

articles that will help you choose toys for babies (

http://www.child-toys-guide.com/baby-toys.shtml ) and toys for toddlers.

( http://www.child-toys-guide.com/toddler-toys.shtml )

• Child’s gender – This is exactly what I said above that my parents

bought me toys that I considered to be girlish. I’m a boy, but the same

is with girls too. Any detail that may make the toy look as for the

other gender than that of your child will make the toy undesired.

• Toys your child’s friends play with – When your child is playing with

his friends, watch to find out if he manifests interest in any of his

playmate’s toys. If he does, then it’s very likely that he would like to

have a toy similar the one his friend has.

• Sometimes, a child tells his parents what toy he likes or wants, thus

saving them from a lot of hard work. But don’t count on this. Some

children aren’t very keen to talk with parents unless they really want a

certain toy.

• Safety – This is the most important factor you must consider whenever

you need to decide what toy you should buy for your child.

Unfortunately, this is also the most overlooked one. Usually, parents

forget to check if the toy they choose for their children are safe.

• Is the toy educational? – It’s a good thing if the toys you choose for

your child can help him develop new skills.

And please remember that the age difference between you and your child

is of at least 20 years. The fact that you liked a toy when you were a

child does not mean that your child will love it too. Children from

different generations like different types of toys

Make sure you offer the toy to your child in the appropriate manner!

When you offer the toy to your child, don’t do it in a “Here’s your toy.

Now go and play with it” manner. If you do it this way, that toy won’t

mean a thing to your child. Rather, try to make a game. Hide the toy

somewhere where the child can easily find it, and encourage him to look

for it. Laugh with your child, search for it together… And when the he

finds the toy, don’t just let him play by himself. Get involved in your

child’s play. Make that the fun of a lifetime. A parent is a child’s

first and best friend.

Being a Mom - Reflections on Mother's Day

2010-11-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

Being a Mom -

Reflections on Mother's Day

by: Susanne

Myers

;

Being a Mom – Reflections on Mother’s Day

Since my daughter was born a little over 2 years ago, Mother’s Day has

been a very special day for me. After all, I had carried her for 9

months and spent countless sleepless nights taking care of her to earn

the title “Mother”.

But this year I really started thinking about my mom. This Mother’s Day

I feel a completely new level of gratitude and respect for my Mom. I

have gained a much better understanding of what she went through and how

much she scarified to raise me.

Let’s take a little closer look at what “Mom” did and does for you.

Pregnancy

Remember those first few months of pregnancy with the excitement,

anxiousness and – who could forget it- the morning sickness? Your Mom

went through all of that as well, and she did it without being able to

access every conceivable piece of information about pregnancy online and

without all the early tests we have now to ensure us that everything is

fine with our baby.

Mom also shared the kicks to the bladder and the backaches that come

later in pregnancy. And don’t forget about labor. Well, who could forget

labor? Mom’s been there, done that as well. And she probably did it with

a lot less medicinal help than we did!

Infancy

Then the real joy of motherhood begins - no sleep for months, midnight

feedings and endless diaper changes. Could you imagine surviving without

disposable diapers? I couldn’t, but somehow my Mom managed to wash

millions of dirty cloth diapers while taking care of me.

I am sure she also got the same words of advice from everyone around her

about how to properly care for the little infant and worried about all

the possible germs the baby could be exposed to with everyone wanting to

hold her.

Toddler

Just like you, Mom eventually made it through your infancy and met the

toddler version of you. When I recently complained about my daughter’s

“terrible two’s” to my Mom, she just laughed and told me it was payback

for all my tantrums when I was my daughter’s age.

Did she worry as much as I did about picking the right time to wean her

off the bottle, the pacifier, to get her potty trained? Did she go

through all the heartbreak and crying, and - as far as potty training

goes - the mess that comes with it? I am sure she did. And like any good

mother, we both supported the first attempts at independence. So what if

my daughter decides to wear rain boots with her summer dress? I feel

sure there is a picture of me somewhere in a very similar outfit.

Preschooler

So you and your Mom finally make it past the terrible twos. By now, if

not earlier, you are probably torn between kids and career. If your Mom

is anything like mine, she ran into the same problem. Should you stay

home and be there for the kids 24/7, or should you continue to work to

be able to afford the kind of things you want to be able to give your

kids?

At this stage Moms also spend a lot of time getting their kids ready for

school. All along you have probably been reading to your child, teaching

her numbers and colors, just like your own mother did.

School

Your kids may or may not be in school yet, but even if they aren’t, I am

sure you can relate to making sure your child gets to school on time

every morning, helping with homework and various school projects and

attending school functions. Your Mom was probably there with you every

step of the way too. She shared your joys and pains. She comforted you

when the other kids made fun of you, just like you will with your kids.

I feel sure you have many more special memories about your Mom that you

haven’t thought about in years. Why don’t you pick up the phone and call

her? Spend some time with her. If you take the time and make the effort,

you will find a great friend in your mother if you are not already at

that point in your relationship. Take her on a “girls-day-out”. Go

shopping, have lunch and get some pedicures together. Just enjoy her

company and don’t forget to thank her for all she has done for you.

After all, you wouldn’t be the great woman you are today without her.

They say there is a great woman behind every successful man, but there

is also a wonderful mother behind every great woman.

Happy Mother’s Day.

The 411 on Natural Colic Remedies

2010-11-14T17:12:00.000-08:00

The 411 on Natural Colic Remedies

by: Jacqueline Courtiol

Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell you that colic is one of the most excruciating experiences ever imaginable. Nothing is worse than seeing one’s baby in pain and not being able to help take it away. Finding relief for colic quickly becomes a top priority. There are many different colic remedies that may come to the rescue for your particular baby. Each baby is unique and may only respond to some or a combination of colic remedies. Unfortunately, parents may have to use the old trial and error method to determine which provide the greatest amount of relief for their little colic sufferer. One thing is certain, the days of waiting it out are long gone for those determined to find an answer. There is no need to suffer needlessly along with baby. If you have tried all proper feeding and burping techniques and baby is still crying, try the following list of the most effective remedies available:

1 Music / Sound - Traditional lullabies, classical music composed for infants and heartbeat/womb CDs are very popular external remedies that relax many babies suffering from colic. You can find some particularly good ones at the Slumber Sounds web site. Some parents have had great success by placing baby in car seat on top of running dishwasher, washing machine, dryer or near running vacuum cleaner. A gentle shhhhhhhing sound in the ear can work magic, as can soft whispers and humming or singing.

2 Diet - Bottle fed babies with colic may show improvement if switched to a different formula, such as soy. The mothers of breastfed babies may have to pay close attention to their own diet to make sure that babies are not having negative reactions to certain foods. Try eliminating the following common culprits one at a time for a week to see if there are any signs of improvement for baby: dairy, caffeine, chocolate and gas-producing foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, peppers, melons, tomatoes, citrus fruits, beans and peanuts.

3 Gripe Water - Be sure to check the ingredients before buying a gripe water. Many claim to be natural but include artificial ingredients and preservatives. Colicky infants’ digestive systems certainly do not need any of these potential irritants. Some gripe waters are not very helpful. There is a new, very effective and safe gripe water on the market, which you can purchase online at

http://www.coliccalm.com

4 Warm Aromatherapy Bath / Massage - Add a few drops of lavender to a warm bath and follow with the soothing touch of massage. Focus massage on the tummy area to relieve painful trapped gas. You can research baby massage techniques on the web or pick up a book on the subject. A good one to try is The Practical Art of Baby Massage by Peter Walker. You can buy lovely lavender, chamomile and fennel massage oils specifically designed for baby massage on the Web. There is also a popular baby massage tool called Snukkles which may work well for you.

5 Swaddling - Babies are often soothed when swaddled or held close to a parents chest and heartbeat since they are reminiscent of the comfort and safety of the womb. Newborn babies are soothed in nurseries with swaddling. Techniques on folding soft, stretchy blankets are easy to learn. Find instructions and diagrams online or pick up a book/ magazine on the topic. A good ready-made wrap to try is SwaddleMe. It is easy to find on the Web.

6 Motion - Walking, rocking and movement are very comforting to most infants. The good old rocking chair may be all it takes. Some parents have been known to push stroller or drive around in car until baby falls asleep. Try putting baby in an infant chest carrier or sling so that your hands can be free. Walk with baby facing down across arm with hand under abdomen, applying gentle pressure. This position is often referred to as the colic hold. Many babies like to be outdoors. Almost all babies love swings. Try a combination of the above to see what helps soothe baby the best.

Baby Cold Symptoms and How to Give Care

2010-11-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

Baby Cold Symptoms and How to Give Care

by: Leroy Chan

Remember how miserable you felt when you last had a cold? Can you imagine what your baby must feel when he experiences a cold for the first time?

Viruses are responsible for causing colds. Infected people spread the viruses when they sneeze or cough nearby healthy people. The virus gets into the nose and throat where it multiplies.

What Are The Symptoms?

When your baby has a cold, there will be a number of symptoms. He will be sneezing and have a runny nose. He may have a sore throat and it may be difficult for him to swallow. His glands may become swollen.

He may not feel like eating much and he could become irritable. A cough may develop. He may get a slight fever or have a body temperature of 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If your baby is three months old or less and has cold like symptoms, you should contact a pediatrician immediately. Cold like symptoms in a baby three months old or less are misleading and could lead to a serious ailment.

On the other hand, if your child is more than three months old you should contact a doctor if you notice that he is breathing loudly and his nostrils expand out with each breath. His nails or lips are becoming blue. His mucus is thick, runny and green. He has a cough that hasn’t gone a way for more than a week. His ears ache. His temperature is more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. He has become more drowsy or grouchy.

How to Care For Your Baby

Medical experts tell us there is no cure for the common cold. However, there are ways to alleviate the miserable symptoms your baby undergoes.

Make sure he gets plenty of rest and extra fluids. If he has a fever, give him acetaminophen or if he’s older that six months he may take ibuprofen (but don’t give it to your baby if he is dehydrated or continuously vomiting).

If your child has a cough and is under three years old, don’t give him a cough suppressing medicine unless it was prescribed by a

pediatrician. Coughing rids the lower respiratory tract of mucus.

If your baby has nasal congestion, you can use a rubber suction bulb to draw out the mucus from his nostrils. If the mucus is too thick, you can apply saline nose drops to soften the mucus before extracting with the bulb. A humidifier can also be used in the baby’s room to help liquefy the nasal secretions.

Concluding Thoughts

The best way for your baby to avoid a cold is to not have him near people who are infected. But if your baby gets a cold, the best thing you can do is make it comfortable for him. Soon his cold symptoms will disappear and he’ll be back to health, that is, until the next episode. But by now you’ll be ready for that, won’t you?
To learn more about newborns and what you can expect during your baby’s first year visit

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Being a Mom - Reflections on Mother's Day

The 411 on Natural Colic Remedies

Baby Cold Symptoms and How to Give Care