Free Useful Golf Info

Golf Swing Aids Aren’t Effective If…

2011-10-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf swing aids are rampant! Every golfer has dozens of them gathering dust in their garages or closets. How many wives have threatened a “clearing out” of these contraptions? If you are feeling me…keep reading.

Have you purchased golf swing aids only to use them once or twice and not see improvement? Isn’t this an everyday occurrence for golfers? I see and hear this all the time, and yet golfers will continue to spend hundreds of dollars by the ‘latest/greatest’ gimmick.

I don’t know if they (golfers) think they will find the “one” training aid that will change their game forever; or they are just trying to take the easy way out?

Either way, the main reason most golf swing aids don’t help is because you are not working on what’s causing your swing faults. You! Your machine (body) dictates your outcome! There’s no way around it!

What your body is capable of in that moment is the result you’ll get.

How many times have you wished you could make a bigger backswing but can’t? How often do you walk off the course with a sore back? How many times did you have a good front nine only to blow up on the back nine and shoot your normal score?

The above results were because of the “physical” issues within your body. Until you realize this and take a different approach to your golf improvement program, you’ll be a frustrated golfer for a long time.

In my opinion, there are a couple of golf swing aids that are effective when you incorporate them with your new golf training program. One is the medicus. This is a fantastic golf swing aid that gives you instant feedback. Swing it too fast or out of plane and the shaft breaks at the hinge.

Another golf swing aid I like is the weighted golf club. I swing mine everyday and boy does it loosen me up and strengthen my golf swing muscles.

Other than the above golf swing aids, there are dozens and dozens of ones that are a total waste of money. Save your money and work on you! The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll stop buying the latest, greatest golf swing aids.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing training site - Perform Better Golf.

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The golf swing is a physically demanding movement. Until golfers realize this, their pursuit of the perfect swing will never be achieved. Mike Pedersen is President/CEO Perform Better Golf which offers golf training dvds, manual and equipment. Get Mike's free Fit To A Tee ebook by subscribing at http://www.performbettergolf.com

The Power Exercise In The Golf Swing

2011-10-06T18:48:00.001-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

It is a proven fact that any power exercise will have a tremendous impact in a persons’ golf swing and golf game in general. In fact any strength exercise will have an impact on the golf game.

However golf specific power exercises will tend to have an even larger impact in your golf swing. To start with they will tend to be less strenuous and more concentrated on the specific muscles that you use during the golf game.

What is more many golf specific power exercises specifically targeted at making a major improvement in your golf swing can be performed in the comfort of the home, office or even while travelling, maybe in some hotel room somewhere.

The power exercise in the golf swing that can also tremendously improve on the enjoyment of the game by eliminating pain even as your body is strengthened to play a better game.

For example the following powerful, but simple exercise has helped many golfers gain more endurance to play golf the whole day with endurance and get rid of the usual nagging lower back problems that are extremely common on the course.

This power exercise in the golf swing also makes such a tremendous difference in your strength that you have to try it to believe and experience the impact yourself.

This power exercise in the golf swing is done by lying flat on the ground on your stomach with your hands at your sides. You then raise your chest and upper body as well as arms and legs as high as you can.

You do this so that your stomach supports the weight of your entire body. Hold the position and go for a count of 10. Doing this simple exercise for 2 sets daily will completely eliminate your low back pain for good. That is if it has been caused by golf.

There are a number of other power exercises in the golf swing that can make a tremendous impact on any golf game.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Functional Flexibility Is The Desire Of Every Golfer

2011-10-06T18:47:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Functional flexibility for golf is an important element. Quite often there are a lot of feelings of inadequacy, more so physical inadequacy, on the golf course.

Most golfers wish that they were a lot stronger than they are and yet still be able to have functional flexibility. Most golfers realize deep inside that flexibility and strength are important for good golf.

Yet these feelings and desire need not remain just that, any golfer can take action and dramatically improve on their functional flexibility and strength.

Any golfer can ensure that the next time they set foot on the course to play their beloved game, they will be brimming with confidence and not inadequacy.

Actually both strength and functional flexibility go together and the two cannot be divorced from one another. Weak muscles will tend to be very stiff, the opposite of flexibility.

So in other words, it is true to say that by building up strength, a golfer will almost automatically be improving their functional flexibility.

But let me make it clear here that there is a huge difference between building muscles and enhancing strength. When developing strength for golf, all good golf exercise programs will involve working with dumbbells which a lot of people associate with muscle and body building.

The truth of the matter is that in golf, dumbbells are used to build strength, and not muscles, by lifting much lighter weights up and down, more times than a bodybuilder does.

The sessions are also much shorter than those of a body builder who have to spend most of the day in the gym lifting extremely heavy weights to build their muscles. Actually it is true that building muscles will tend to bring in stiffness and the very opposite of functional flexibility.

A good golf exercise training program must also include stretch exercises which are a great help in attaining functional flexibility for golf.

It is the functional flexibility gained from weight training and stretches that can greatly improve the golf swing of any golfer. Actually the greater the functional flexibility for golf...the better the golf swings.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

How To Achieve A Full Golf Swing

2011-09-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

A full golf swing is the desire of every golfer. You know that a full golf swing is needed to produce maximum clubhead speed and ultimately distance…but do you know how to accomplish it effectively?

You’ve probably heard your golf teaching pro say, “you’re not getting a full golf swing”, but has he told you how to get it? It’s easy to analyze, but much harder to come up with a solution…until now.

You see…a full golf swing is impossible to achieve if you do not have a higher level of golf-specific strength and flexibility. Let me say that one more time.

“A full golf swing is impossible to achieve if you do not have a higher level of golf specific strength and flexibility”.

Let’s look at these so-called “requirements”, for you to see I’m not just blowing smoke.

A full golf swing is considered a 90 degree shoulder turn, with a 45 degree hip turn. This is what we read in all the analysis’ of the golf swing.

Achieving the above physical components in your golf posture proves almost impossible for the senior golfer who has declining physical abilities.

Are you in this category?

Are you a 50-70 year old golfer who has lost a ton of yards off the tee and watched your scores get higher and higher?

If so, don’t you think if you did a simple, “in-home” golf performance program you’d see dramatic improvements in your body’s ability to make a bigger, even “full golf swing”?

To achieve this doesn’t mean hitting more balls at the range or taking more lessons. In fact, you can eliminate hitting balls altogether for a short time while you get your body back in tip-top shape.

When you do, the next time you go out to practice or play, you will be shocked!

That full golf swing you’ve dreamed about will happen without you even thinking about it. Your body will do it because it has been ‘trained’ properly.

A Quick Tip – you’ve got to focus on your rotational strength and flexibility to make a full golf swing! You can even do this sitting in your chair. Reach around the back of your chair and rotate your upper body, while leveraging your opposite arm against the chair. This is a simple, yet very effective rotational stretch you can do all day long.

You don’t need fancy, expensive equipment to improve your physical abilities, but a simple and effective program will do wonders for achieving your full golf swing.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

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Use A Golf Training Club To Quickly Improve Golf Swing Speed

2011-09-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Using a golf training club is one of the most effective ways to increase golf swing speed and power. You can’t get anymore golf –specific than using a golf training club.

There are many golf training clubs on the market and new ones coming out every year; but the one I’m talking about is a weighted golf training club. When you can literally mimic your athletic movement with resistance, you stand the make the biggest improvement…and quickly.

The goal of most strength coaches and trainers is to come up with exercises that closely resemble that particular athletic movement, but with some for of resistance. It could be handweights (dumbbells), medicine balls, tubing, or even a stability ball.

The direct impact on a golfers swing using a golf training club is an almost immediate increase in driving distance. This is because you are training your golf muscles during the movement, through the same (or even bigger) range of motion, with many repetitions.

A secondary benefit of using a golf training club that’s weighted is promoting an increase in backswing and follow through range of motion. This equates in more power at impact. Golfers are always trying to find ways to improve golf flexibility and power; and this is one way to do it.

Using a golf training club won’t be the cure to all your physical ailments and limitations, but will give you a head start on swinging with higher clubhead speed.

Just think about it! Swinging a golf training club won’t improve hamstring flexibility, nor will it strengthen your lower back. There are many specific areas of the body that don’t get worked when swinging a golf training club.

This is where you would do specific golf exercises, stretches and drills to isolate those weak areas to greatly improve your overall golf performance and prevent future injuries.

Another benefit of a golf training club that’s weighted is a quick warm up before you hit balls at the range or even play. Swinging it 20-30 times will quickly get your golf muscles prepared to hit balls more effectively.

Just beware! When you swing it before practicing or playing, you’ve got to swing your regular clubs, and hit balls with them, to make sure your sequence of motion is correct, before you hit the course.

As you can see, there are many benefits of using a golf training club; so go out and get one. They are a great training aid as part of your ‘off-season’ training program.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

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More Muscles Than You Think Are Used In the Golf Swing

2011-09-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

While most golfers are aware of the fact that the muscles in the lower part of the body are used in the golf swing, many are not aware of just how important these muscles are to the consistent execution of the perfect golf swing.

Many do not even realize how imperative it is that muscles used in the golf swing are exercised and kept in tip top condition. Actually, if this is not done, it becomes extremely difficult to for anybody to enjoy the game as too many factors stand in the way of a golfer who does not exercise.

For example a common complaint amongst many golfers on the course is that of pain in the lower back which is usually aggravated by golf. This pain is especially evident after longer sessions on the course.

How can any golfer improve golf swing, let alone have any hope of enjoying the game with such a nagging, persistent pain? Yet this problem is easily solved by simply strengthening lower back muscles used by doing certain exercises.

The result is that there is a higher level of endurance which will also have a tremendous impact on the golf swing of any golfer. There is actually a very simple exercise to achieve this which can be done from the comfort of your home and without having to go into a gym or special exercise area.

Muscles used in the golf swing include some in the lower leg as well as those higher up like the hamstring which is crucial in accomplishing the perfect golf swing.

It is a proven fact that muscles used in the golf swing that are not exercised and conditioned on a regular basis with the correct exercise, will usually not respond to the correct golfing techniques.

Without being conditioned to obtain the necessary stamina and staying power it is unlikely that muscles used in the golf swing will be able to deliver the required performance

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

The Secret To Golf Swing Consistency

2011-09-09T01:12:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf swing consistency is the goal of every golfer. You know you can hit that one in a million shot that you talk about at the 19th hole…but how about making that shot happen more often?

The are many aspects to golf swing consistency that can make it seem overwhelming and unachievable…but there is one aspect that every golfer should consider, that will have a dramatic impact on golf swing consistency.

We know golfers hit hundreds of balls every week. They take lessons with some success, but not 100% satisfaction. It’s fun buying new clubs, but did they really make a difference? Did you lower your score by 4-6 strokes?

When trying to achieve a higher level of golf swing consistency, the mechanical component comes in to play. But digging a little deeper will get you to the ‘real’ answer to your lack of golf swing consistency.

If it’s not hitting more balls…or taking more lessons…or buying more equipment what could it be? What’s left to work on? Am I getting warm yet? Are you following where I’m going with this? We’ve just eliminated what seems like everything haven’t we?

We haven’t! There is ONLY one thing left! Your BODY! Your “golfing machine”. The one and only thing that can make a direct and almost immediate impact on your golf swing consistency and power.

When you step onto the golf course, do you feel like your body moves efficiently during your golf swing? Do you feel like you can make a full turn with minimal tensions? Can you stay in balance throughout your entire golf swing for 18 holes?

If you answered no to any of the above…it’s time to “get it going!” It’s time to become a “golf athlete!” No longer will you step onto the tee box and feel like an out-of-shape, has-been. You’re going to have an intensely higher level of confidence, and your golf performance will show it.

When you get your body moving better, your golf swing mechanics and golf swing consistency will happen naturally. You won’t have to stress out about it. You can let it go and just play.

It’s time for a new approach to your golf improvement…and it starts now!

You will reach new levels of performance and golf swing consistency.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing training site - Perform Better Golf.

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What Causes Golf Back Pain?

2011-09-09T01:10:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Why it that back pain is such a common complaint in golf and amongst golf players on any course?

Does golf back pain have something to do with the game or do most players bring back pains acquired elsewhere into the game?

While it is true that there are golfers who started having back pains and related problems long before they set foot on the course, there is clear evidence that golf does cause back pain, especially to those who do not exercise and condition their bodies for the game.

One reason is that many of the back pains are aggravated by playing the game for long periods.

So why do many golfers continue to suffer in silence and yet simple golf specific exercises can permanently cure a golf back pain for good? The following powerful, but simple exercise has helped many golfers gain more endurance to play golf the whole day without experiencing the usual nagging lower back problems that are extremely common on the course.

This golf back pain exercise also does an excellent job in adding endurance and strength to the muscles and usually makes such a tremendous difference in your strength that you have to try it to believe and experience the impact for yourself.

This exercise that cures golf back pain is done by lying flat on the floor on your stomach with your hands at your sides. You then raise your chest and upper body as well as arms and legs as high as you can. You do this so that your stomach supports the weight of your entire body. Hold the position and go for a count of 10. Doing this simple exercise for 2 sets daily will completely eliminate your low back pain for good.

Keeping yourself golf fit by getting involved in a good golf specific exercise program will keep any golfer free from golf back pain.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Golf Exercise For A Great Game And New Body In 2006

2011-09-09T01:08:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf exercise is mainstream thanks to Tiger, Annika, Larry Nelson and all the top tournament golfers who are doing it and seeing fantastic results from it.

You are a “golfing athlete!” And ALL athletes work on their “machines”.

Why wouldn’t you?

Participating in a golf exercise program that works on all your personal, physical limitations is the approach you need to take.

Every golfer has different physical needs, and they should be at the top of your golf exercise program list.

This is the year you’re going to make it happen! 2006 will be your year! No more excuses. No more reasons not to do it. Just one thing on your mind.

Playing BETTER golf and feeling like you did years ago.

The “use-it-or-lose” phrase is SO true. The human body declines rapidly in both strength and flexibility if you don’t keep up with it.

Don’t you feel like you’ve lost these two key components for optimal golf performance? It’s a natural occurrence, but you can do something about it!

It’s called “golf exercise”.

Exercise that’s specific to the demands the golf swing puts on your body…and there are many.

Just getting in your golf posture takes a higher level of both strength and flexibility in your hamstrings. Just getting in your posture! Now how about making a decent swing? It’s not going to happen if your body is broken.

I don’t like to sugar-coat things. I like to wake people up and get them going asap! That’s the only way.

I don’t want to say I’m not empathetic, but “crap-or-get-off-the pot”.

A fitter body and better game aren’t going to happen on their own. You’ve got to start your golf exercise program right now.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf exercise site - Perform Better Golf.

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Golf Swing Release...How Important Is It

2011-09-09T01:06:00.001-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

An optimal golf swing release has a lot to do with the way the golfer controls their body and makes use of their muscles right from the back swing to the impact and follow through.

And the muscles involved are not just those in the arm. The feet, knees, hamstring, hips and spine are all very important in achieving a good golf swing release.

The perfect golf swing release will happen with one coordinated and smooth movement. The fact is that it always looks a lot easier on the outside than it really is.

The truth of the matter is that it is not easy, whatever the golf gurus tell you. It is something that requires a lot of work on your part in preparation as well as training, right from your body and muscles so as to be able to execute the perfect golf swing release.

It is important to know that your entire body fights you violently and resists every effort on your part to achieve proper timing for your golf swing.

This is simply because the golf swing movement does not come naturally to the body. Kicking a soccer ball or swinging a baseball bat comes much more naturally to the body that a golf swing.

Want golf exercises do is they strengthen the muscles and body so that the golf swing feels much more natural and faces less resistance from the body.

This is the reason why doing the right golf exercise program will play a central and key role to helping you get the golf swing release you know you are capable of.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Why Exercise Is Crucial In Achieving The Correct Golf Swing

2011-09-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Achieving the correct golf swing is the magic key that will open all the doors to better and more enjoyable golf.

However the correct golf swing becomes very difficult to pull off for one simple reason. And that is the fact that the body usually violently resists it. The reason is because the correct golf swing is a set of movements that the body finds extremely unnatural and uncomfortable. Thus the muscles all struggle to find comfort in the body and in the process a golfer finds it extremely difficult to achieve the correct golf swing with any degree of consistency.

Exercise has a tremendous effect in helping the body and all the muscles involved to find more comfort in the unnatural correct golf swing movements. In fact any exercise that will strengthen the numerous muscles necessary for the correct golf swing will have an impact. There are quite a number of muscles that are used in the correct golf swing. They range from muscles in the feet to the lower leg and right up to the hamstring and hip muscles. The lower back is an extremely important part of the body in executing the correct golf swing.

We then move up to other muscles in the back arms and neck.

A golf specific-exercise program will be much less strenuous and much more effective in helping a golfer to achieve consistent execution of the correct golf swing. This will usually involve both strength exercises as well as stretch exercises.

Another aspect that tends to interfere with the performance of a golfer is tiredness and fatigue after a brief session on the course. Golf is actually a sport that demands a lot of energy contrary to what many people believe. If your body is not conditioned, what will tend to happen is that your game will deteriorate as you continue playing.

Playing good golf will only happen when the body has enough endurance to last a long session of golf. Exercises play a major role in helping to achieve this and ensuring consistent correct golf swing techniques.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Golf Equipment Isn't Working

2011-09-09T01:01:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf equipment doesn't work? Did that catch your attention? I hope so. Now keep reading.

Just the other day I was watching the Golf Channel and they were talking yet again about the latest and greatest drives and irons. This golf equipment (new technology) that has gotten totally out of hand, is making these companies a ton of money.

Why?

Because they prey on vulnerable, frustrated golfers looking to play better through golf equipment.

Here’s my beef!

It’s not working! I don’t care what these companies say…I see golfers everyday, buying new golf equipment and STILL not playing any better. It’s a known fact that the average golf handicap has not gone down in over 20 years!

It’s NOT the equipment that’s going to improve your game…it’s YOU!

You swing that club. You show up to the range or course. It all depends on your current physical condition how well you will swing…and especially for 18 holes.

Is that registering with you yet?

How many new clubs have you bought lately? Did it allow you to play better…consistently? Be honest. Don’t let your pride answer that question. Just state the facts. Are your scores lower? Do you swing with better consistency?

These are questions to constantly ask yourself to make sure you are seeing progress. If you’re not…then save your money and get working on YOU!

It’s always fun to see the new golf equipment that’s coming out…but your game is dependant on your physical capabilities, not compensations with golf equipment.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Fitness For Golf Isn’t Just For The Pros

2011-07-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Fitness for golf is a common term on the television these days. I’m sure you’ve heard it a few times. The secret is out. Fitness for golf has come to the forefront of total golf performance.

Golfers have heard it enough. The golf swing is a physically abusive movement to the human body…unless you take the time to prepare for it.

I was watching the Golf Channel (I do that frequently) the other day, with Tiger on. He said it perfectly.

He said, “it would be absurd to think a football player, basketball player or baseball player wouldn’t physically work on his body to play better golf. Why wouldn’t a golfer do the same thing?”

I was sitting there saying, “thank you Tiger”…fitness for golf is here to stay.

If it takes the Number One golfer in the world to convince you…then I’m all for it.

How many times have you walked off the course or practice range with a twinge or two in your body? How about when you got home? Did it get worse?

What’s that tell you?

I hope you realize how important fitness for golf is, in not only helping your prevent injury, but utilize your true potential to it’s fullest.

Doesn’t it make sense to improve your flexibility AND strength to hit longer drives that go straighter? Doesn’t it also make sense to improve your fitness for golf as you get older…to slow down the aging process?

Don’t look at it as “work”, “sweating” or “effort”. Look at it as “playing your best game ever!”

You will continue to hear about fitness for golf, when it comes to performing better golf.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Golf Swing Exercises Can Add Power Quickly

2011-07-17T07:40:00.001-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf swing exercises are the missing link to adding tremendous power to your golf swing quickly. To be able to execute an effective golf swing...golf swing exercises will enhance your bodies abilitiy to move throughout the required ranges of motion...enabling you to hit drives you know you are capable of.

The other reason why golf swing exercises are so important is in the fact that a golf swing by its’ very nature is a very unnatural and awkward movement of the body and muscles. It therefore stands to reason that the body will usually resist the golf swing action and this is why it appears to be so difficult to master.

However when you implement golf swing exercises to strengthen and condition the relevant muscles, the golf swing becomes less awkward to the body.

Let us now take a closer look at the movements involved in a golf swing so that we come up with the most effective golf swing exercises that will impact most dramatically on the quality of your game.

The golf swing is actually a turn back (rotate) and turn through (rotate). Most of the movement is pure rotational in nature. This means doing golf swing exercises like a seated twist holding a dumbbell straight out in front of you is a very effective exercise in strengthening and conditioning the muscles used in the golf swing.

Be careful not to use very heavy weights in this golf swing exercise. 3-5 pound dumb bells are ideal. Remember that a golf club is not heavy in fact it weights less than a pound.

Repeating golf swing exercises like this as many times as you can within a 30-minute session without straining yourself. Do remember to warm up before you begin the session and also to warm down when you are through.

Warming up ensures that you do not start with your muscles cold. Stretches involving the muscles that you are going to use can also be extremely useful before you go into these golf swing exercises.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing trainer site - Perform Better Golf.

Lower Your Golf Score off The Course

2011-07-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

To lower your golf score, you’ve got to put some time in. This is the main reason golfers quit the game. Golf is a very challenging game that requires intense concentration, skill, and many physical attributes.

One approach to lower your golf score is one that is off the course and does not involve swinging a club, taking lessons or buying more gimmicky training aids.

The approach I’m talking about is working on your “machine” to produce a repeatable golf swing for 18 holes. Are you currently capable to maintain a mechanically sound swing for the entire round? If you are honest in answering that question, I’ll bet your answer is no.

The biggest frustration I hear from golfers all over the world is they hit balls, take lessons and have the latest/greatest equipment and still can’t lower their golf score. In regards to golf improvement, the above scenario has eliminated everything but the MOST important component.

Your BODY!

Golf is an athletic movement that requires strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, stability, timing and many other elements. If your body is physically limited…you’ll have a minimal chance at playing to your potential.

Just think if you put 20 minutes into a golf training routine in your home with minimal equipment. No grunting. No groaning. No pain. Just simple golf exercises that will make a dramatic, and almost immediate impact on your golf game and score.

I have seen so many “so-called” fitness books and videos that show golfers using machines in a gym. This is not what I’m talking about. And this is not golf fitness training. Anytime you sit on a machine that isolates one muscle group, you will not improve your game.

What I’m talking about is using hand weights, a stability ball and some exercise tubing with handles. All very inexpensive and perfect for improving your golf game. The only catch is you need the right exercises to go along with this affordable equipment.

I’ve heard horror stories of golfers who have lifted weights and said their game got worse. This is a problem! You’ve got to do exercises that will train your body to make a stable, mechanically sound golf swing for 18 holes.

Once you realize golf is an athletic sport that requires both golf-specific strength and flexibility, you’ll become a believer in training your body off the course to lower your golf score.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

This article is free for republishing

Strengthening Your Golf Swing Muscles Will Greatly Improve Your Golf Game

2011-07-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf swing muscles? Is there such a thing? You didn’t think they were important or existed did you? But I’m sure when you’ve gone home after a round of golf with a sore back you were reminded very quickly, you do in fact have golf swing muscles.

Having been a certified conditioning professional for over 20 years and the last 10 with golfers exclusively…I can tell you with one hundred percent confidence there is definitely a muscular component to the golf swing. And if the muscles have not been trained to work in a specific sequence, with minimal tension and maximum power, the expected results will not be achieved.

What are the important muscles involved in the golf swing? There isn’t one or two of them. The body moves sequentially throughout the golf swing. But through research and years of training, I can say without a doubt that the muscles of your core are the most important. Followed by the hamstrings and glutes.

The rest of the muscle groups are supportive to the golf swing, which doesn’t mean they are any less important, just not as critical to improving power and consistency.

Let’s briefly break down your main golf swing muscles and their role in the golf swing.

Shoulders: Support the golf at the top of the swing and also add clubhead speed as an extension of the core.

Upper Back: Maintenance of spine angle for ease of turning on backswing and follow through.

Lower Back: Critical in maintaining of golf posture during the swing and even putting.

Glutes: Helps maintain flex in hips and also athletic, “golf squat” position for a powerful swing base.

Quadriceps: Allows for ease of maintaining consistent knee flex and golf posture for a repeatable swing.

Hamstrings: The KEY muscle group in producing an effective, optimal and repeatable golf posture for eighteen holes.

Core: The engine to the golf swing. Produces maximum power from the pivot. Stored energy from the torque created on the backswing, to unleash into impact.

This is a very brief overview of your golf swing muscles. As you can see, if these muscles don’t have a higher level of both strength and flexibility, they will not allow you to achieve your true golf potential.

Hopefully you will be motivated to look into a golf conditioning program to strengthen these golf swing muscles.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing trainer site - Perform Better Golf.

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Choosing a Golf Club

2011-07-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

by: jay moncliff

Cast Iron Golf Club

The cast iron golf club is made from cast iron and the majority of the weight of the golf club is around the perimeter. Because of this the sweet spot is larger and this type of golf club is really great for beginners or those who have trouble making full contact.

Forged Iron Golf Club

The forged iron golf club is generally used by professionals simply because of its design and function. The center of the golf club is the center of gravity and the front of the club is a bit heavier. If you are an experienced player then you might consider a forged iron golf club.

Also, you will need to choose a size for your golf club as well from standard to midsize or oversized.

The standard club is smaller, so the sweet spot is as well. Generally professionals and advanced players use a standard club.

Midsize golf clubs are great because they have a bigger sweet spot and are a bit larger than the standard golf club. Average players frequently use midsize golf clubs because they are easy to control and have a larger sweet spot.

Oversized golf clubs are generally used by seniors and individuals who have a hard time hitting the ball straight on. The one problem with these clubs is they can be difficult to control. The bonus, a huge sweet spot so when you make contact your ball goes further!

About The Author:
Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.golfclubsreviews.info a website specialized on Golf, resources and articles. This site provides updated information on Golf. For more info on Golf visit: http://www.golfclubsreviews.info

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Golfing Products… And What you Need To Know Before Purchasing

2011-07-17T07:30:00.001-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

In recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of golfing products available in the market. Most notably golfing products that are supposed to dramatically improve one’s game, virtually overnight.

Smart entrepreneurs have cashed in on the fact that almost every golfer is constantly looking for a way to improve their game and reduce their handicap.

The result is that so many golfing products have flooded the market and the results have been predictable. You will come across many golfers who have garages filled with golfing products that did not help them in any way to improve on their game.

Although golfing products can be very useful in helping a golfer’s game, the problem is being able to find the right one for you. There are a few questions that you should ask yourself before going for any golfing product.

Does the golf product address a certain weakness in your game? It is important for you to understand what specific golf weakness in your game that the golfing product you wish to purchase addresses.

It is not a good idea to go for just any improvement golfing product without being very specific as to what your objectives is.

The other key question to ask is if the golfing product involves exercise to strengthen and condition muscles that you require to correct your golf weakness? If your golfing product does not do this, then chances are very high that it will be a dud.

It is also useful to take advice from the experts concerning the particular golfing product or products that you would like to go for. With the rise of the World Wide Web, there is plenty of expert advice available online for free.

All you need to know is where to find it. So there should be no excuse for failing to seek expert counsel on the golf products you intend to purchase.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his proper golf swing site - Perform Better Golf.

How Timing The Golf Swing Is So Critical To Consistent Shots

2011-07-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen
Timing the golf swing is extremely critical. It is not possible to complete a good golf swing or execute the perfect golf swing without getting your timing right.

Exercise plays a vital part in helping a golfer get their timing of the golf swing right. This is because timing involves the co-ordination of both the mind and the body.

It is useless to get it all right on your mind when your body and the muscles are not prepared to obey instructions and follow through. There is no way you will get the timing of the golf swing right without the co-operation of your body and muscles.

Many times a golfer understands and grasps the golf swing technique but execution ends up being very poor because the flabby weak muscles are not able to take the strain and pressure that is necessary for good and perfect timing when it comes to the golf swing.

There are many golf exercise programs these days, and that is why one needs to be careful when selecting the particular program that they want to join.

To improve the timing of your golf swing, you will require both stretch exercises and strength exercises. The whole aim of the exercise will be to improve on the strength of your golf muscles and at the same time to ensure that you retain enough flexibility to execute consistently good golf wings.

The timing of your golf swing is a critical part of your game and so as to ensure that you continue to improve and thus enjoy this wonderful game it is important that you get involved in a good golf exercise program.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

The golf swing is a physically demanding movement. Until golfers realize this, their pursuit of the perfect swing will never be achieved. Mike Pedersen is President/CEO Perform Better Golf which offers golf training dvds, manual and equipment. Get Mike's free Fit To A Tee ebook by subscribing at http://www.performbettergolf.com

A Lower Body Golf Swing Can Generate Maximum Power

2011-06-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

The perfect lower body golf swing involves the legs to a very large extent and it is therefore true to say that exercise that conditions these parts of the body will have a positive impact on the quality of the golf swing.

This truth is obvious when you take a closer look at the lower body golf swing. During the backswing, the feet, knee and hamstring muscles are extremely important. The rest of the lower body golf swing movement will usually require a lot of participation of the hip and lower back.

Thus no good golf exercise program designed to improve the golf swing will avoid the lower back. In fact some golfers are puzzled at first when they see some of the golf specific exercises which concentrate on the hamstring and lower parts of the body.

They may initially feel that too much emphasis is being placed on this lower part of the body. Actually too much emphasis can hardly be placed on the lower body when it comes to the golf swing. This is because that is precisely where most of the golf swings happen.

In the past, even when golfers though of a little exercise, their emphasis was always on the upper part of the body, rather than on the lower body, when thinking about improving their golf swing.

Times have changed and today every genuine golf exercise program will usually place a lot of importance and emphasis on the muscles on the lower body for the sake of the golf swing.

These lower body golf swing exercises will involve both stretching exercises as well as strength-building exercises that will usually involve weight training.

A good program should include a wide range of different exercise and you should also be able to use various golf aid gadgets to correct weaknesses in your golf swing.

By strengthening your lower body golf swing you will always feel more confident and better prepared to perform a more powerful golf swing.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his proper golf swing site - Perform Better Golf.

The golf swing is a physically demanding movement. Until golfers realize this, their pursuit of the perfect swing will never be achieved. Mike Pedersen is President/CEO Perform Better Golf which offers golf training dvds, manual and equipment. Get Mike's free Fit To A Tee ebook by subscribing at http://www.performbettergolf.com

Golf Exercise And Stretch Program For Total Golf Performance

2011-06-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf exercise and stretch. This is a combination I use in all of my golf fitness programs both online and with my personal golf clients. It’s the ultimate combination to improve the golfers swing quickly and efficiently.

A fitness program for golfers that does not incorporate a golf exercise and stretch is doing more harm than good. Golfers need that blend of dynamic strength specific to the golf swing and the range of motion to hold it for 18 holes.

So many times I hear a golfer mention stretching only. This is a big mistake! Stretching without strengthening does not equal permanent range of motion improvements. An over-stretched muscle that doesn’t have strength opens up the possibilities for injury.

That is why golf exercise and stretch is the key. For every golf exercise, there is an appropriate stretch. Taking this approach will create a powerful swing with less tension and stress put on the body.

An example of golf exercise and stretch is doing a back hyperextension for strength, and then lying on your back, grabbing your knees and pulling them into your chest to stretch your back. That would be a perfect combination for your lower back.

This is how your entire golf exercise program should be laid out. And notice, it’s never just one or the other. It’s both!

If you ever come across a golf fitness trainer who doesn’t incorporate both…run! That’s not the program for you. Any professional should mention both topics, not just one or the other.

So hopefully you have gained a little knowledge as to a golf exercise and stretch program.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Golf Injury Prevention

2011-06-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

A golf injury is one of the most common issues with all amateur golfers. But having adequate strength and flexibility of muscles and joints and participating in effective training technique, can also prevent a golf injury.

Well-conditioned limbs and joints that are under control when the stresses of the swing are encountered will greatly reduce risk of a golf injury.

If your body motion is out of control when you execute the swing, the muscles and tendons have little room for error. The result is likely a tear or strained tendon or ligament…keeping you off the course indefinitely.

The golf swing is a complicated movement (skill). In order to maximize your distance and power, you must have a high level of flexibility (range of motion) and force in the joints involved. This would include the shoulders, back and hips.

And when looking at the areas of a golf injury, the above mentioned areas are at the top of the list. Go figure!

Keep in mind that with an above average level of strength and flexibility and swing technique, you will not only reduce the occurrence of a golf injury, but also enhance the quality of your game.

Many golfers think they are generally healthy and able to play a round of golf without a golf injury…however, I have heard and read dozens of times where a golfer gets injured on the course…swinging a golf club. Has that happened to you or a golfing buddy?

Somewhere I read a statistic from 10 years ago. There was over 39,000 golf injuries treated in emergency rooms back in 1995! Wow! That’s unbelievable! How about all the injuries that weren’t reported or that were treated by the golfer himself? Or how about the chronic golf injuries the golfer ‘lives with’ just to be able to play golf?

These are numbers from 10 years ago! I wonder what they are now? I’m here to tell you golf is a physical sport and without the proper training, you’ll be added to that number mentioned above.

I don’t think it’s a tough sell to say that participating in a golf strength and flexibility program will help you avoid a golf injury.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing trainer site - Perform Better Golf.

The golf swing is a physically demanding movement. Until golfers realize this, their pursuit of the perfect swing will never be achieved. Mike Pedersen is President/CEO Perform Better Golf which offers golf training dvds, manual and equipment. Get Mike's free Fit To A Tee ebook by subscribing at http://www.performbettergolf.com

Improve Your Golf Swing by Improving Your Tempo

2011-06-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

by: Sean Cochran

We have all heard the word tempo in relation to the golf swing. Announcers on television speak of the “great” tempo Ernie Els has in his golf swing. What does tempo mean to the amateur and their golf swing?

Tempo in the Golf Swing

Tempo in the golf swing is a combination of many parts. Tempo is part timing in all aspects of the golf swing. It is part sequencing of each position within the golf swing, and it is part “feel”. Putting all these golf swing parts together creates tempo in your own golf swing.

Interconnecting each phase of the golf swing; address, take-away, backswing, transition, downswing, impact, and follow through is one part of tempo, Performing each of these phases with the correct timing is also tempo. And finally “feel” for the clubhead is part of tempo.

We can probably say tempo is the end goal of all our practice and time spent on our golf swing. Once we have developed tempo in the golf swing, there is definitely a level of mastery within it.

How Do We Develop Tempo in the Golf Swing?

A great question that does not have a simple answer: Developing tempo in the golf swing is a task that requires patience, practice, and time. There really are no short cuts to developing it within your golf swing. One practice session at the driving range will not do it. The use of a single training aide will not get you there. The implementation of a golf fitness program will not achieve this task on its own.

I say this because developing a PGA Tour type golf swing requires a “basket of tools” in your arsenal. Developing tempo and a silky smooth golf swing requires you to:

§ Receive proper instruction on the fundamentals of the golf swing

§ Maintain a consistent practice schedule with your golf swing

§ Use swing drills to develop every as of your golf swing

§ The possible implementation of training aides into your practice sessions

§ Implementing of golf fitness program to develop your body around the golf swing.

The “basket of tools” listed above put together can lead you to developing great tempo in your golf swing. It requires a comprehensive approach in which no short cuts can be made. Let’s take a look at the bullet points above to get a better understanding of how to go about this process.

Proper Instruction in the Mechanics of the Golf Swing

Learning the fundamentals of the golf swing is key to developing tempo. This can be achieved through quality instruction. This will allow your body to learn the nuances of the swing. This is the first step in developing tempo.

Consistent Practice of the Golf Swing

As they say practice makes perfect. In order for your body to learn and be able to repeat to proper mechanics of the golf swing, you must practice on a consistent basis. The body learns biomechanical movements through repetition. The golf swing is no different. Repetition through proper practice session is the second key to developing tempo.

Swing Drills to Develop the Golf Swing

The golf swing as a whole is one of the most intricate athletic movements to perform. In its entirety, it is a very difficult movement to perform and master. It is best when learning the golf swing to break it down into parts. Breaking the golf swing down into segments allows you more easily to master each phase of the swing. This is accomplished through the implementation of golf swing drills. Swing drills break the swing down into manageable parts.

Training Aides in Association with Your Golf Swing Drills

Training aides assist the body in developing the golf swing. Think of training aides as “training wheels” on a bicycle. They simply help your body learn certain movements and positions associated with the golf swing.

Implementing a Golf Fitness Program

Your body swings the golf club and performs the biomechanics of the golf swing. In order to perform the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. It is necessary for your body to have certain levels of flexibility, balance, endurance, strength, and power. If your body is lacking any of this aforementioned list learning the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly will be very difficult. A golf fitness program is the final key to developing tempo in your golf swing.

Summary

To summarize the development of tempo in your golf swing requires a “basket of tools”. Tempo requires; proper instruction on the golf swing, consistent practice of your golf swing mechanics, the utilization of swing drills, training aides, and a golf fitness program. Put all of these aspects together and a golf swing with tempo will be yours.

Sean

About the Author
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2008 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

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Get Fit For Golf To Play Your Best

2011-06-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Fit for golf is a term you should have heard by now. It’s all over the television and now becoming mainstream with amateur golfers wanting to reach their full potential. Golfers are now realizing there is a fitness component to golf, and are seriously considering getting fit for golf.

It may sound like an oxymoron, but tell me if you’ve ever hurt yourself playing golf. How about a strained lower back? Or, a sore shoulder after playing? The list of injuries from swinging a golf club is a mile long.

This would defend the point that getting fit for golf is NOT an oxymoron, but in fact a necessity, if you want to end the frustration, and play like you know you are capable of.

Golf is a ‘physical’ game that puts a tremendous amount of stress on the body. Muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints pay the price if your golf muscles are not strong enough to withstand the forces from swing at up to 100 mph.

Think about that!

You swing a 3 foot implement at up to 100 mph, while maintaining a very dynamic body position. That’s physically impossible unless you’ve got the muscular strength and flexibility to achieve these swing mechanics.

Look at putting! How often have you practiced for only 5-10 minutes and your lower back was killing you? You know what the culprit was? Tight hamstrings and a weak lower back. Golfers who are fit for golf don’t experience this. They can practice putting for an hour and not feel it.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

How about hitting out of deep rough? How many times did you leave the ball right where it was when you started? Or if you did advance it, your wrist was killing you after that?

This would not happen if your were fit for golf!

You’ve got to take a look at the facts! Golf is ‘physical’. Golf takes a tremendous amount of strength and flexibility. Golf causes injuries to body’s that are out of shape. Golf is frustrating when you are the shortest hitter in your foursome. Golf can make you crazy!

Stop the insanity…and Get Fit For Golf!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf fitness training site - Perform Better Golf.

This article is free for republishing
The golf swing is a physically demanding movement. Until golfers realize this, their pursuit of the perfect swing will never be achieved. Mike Pedersen is President/CEO Perform Better Golf which offers golf training dvds, manual and equipment. Get Mike's free Fit To A Tee ebook by subscribing at http://www.performbettergolf.com

What Should Be Your Golf Training Priority

2011-06-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Pedersen

This is a question that is often asked for the simple reason that knowing one’s golf training priority will enable them to improve their game within the shortest possible time.

To answer it correctly a golfer needs to know what their particular area of weakness is. For example if they tend to slice the ball in their golf swing then their golf training priority should be exercises that address that particular weakness in their game.

Other times a golfer will have a nagging back problem which refuses to go away despite medication. Many times the back pain will be in the lower back and will usually be aggravated by playing golf.

The golf training priority of such a golfer is to get golf specific exercises that will give them endurance and strength. The exercise must also be targeted directly at the lower back.

There is in fact such an exercise which I have described in several of my other articles. The result of this exercise is that the pain will disappear and the golfer will be able to hit the ball on the course and enjoy playing golf virtually the whole day without the discomfort and pain that previously occurred or was aggravated whenever they previously played a round of golf.

Many times your golf training priority exercises may involve the use of dumb bells. However this is not as strenuous as it may sound as the exercises are geared to wards building strength and not muscles and usually much lighter weights will be used.

To be able to fully understand what your golf training priority is, it is useful to consult with golf exercise experts who will usually recommend a program that will do miracles to your golf game.

It is important that your golf-specific exercise program starts with the correct golf training priority for you and your game.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

The golf swing is a physically demanding movement. Until golfers realize this, their pursuit of the perfect swing will never be achieved. Mike Pedersen is President/CEO Perform Better Golf which offers golf training dvds, manual and equipment. Get Mike's free Fit To A Tee ebook by subscribing at http://www.performbettergolf.com