Golf etiquette is something that you must learn when you want to play golf. If you’re joining a club for the first time or switching to a new one, the rules are generally the same and it’s important to understand what to do and how to act on the course.

The 90 degree rule is used to stop golf carts causing damage to the fairway. You turn off the cart path by 90 degrees to where your ball lies and this makes it the shortest route to your next shot. Another rule is the “cart only path”, which is to keep the carts away from the lush grass and stop any damage. This keeps the course looking great and acting the way it should when it comes to bounces and taking your next shot. As the environment of a golf course needs to stay consistent and be regularly maintained, following these two rules ensures that the golfing experience is the same for everyone.

Driving a cart is just like driving any other vehicle. You should be calm, make way for others, be aware of what is going on around you and be respectful to other golfers who are lining up their next shot. Stay away from wet grass as it is more easily damaged with a cart, and keep clear of bunkers, grass mounds, tee decks and greens. Even though golf carts are almost silent, any change in the golfer’s peripheral vision can ruin their swing and shot so keep this in mind when you’re travelling around the course.

Over the years that Ecco golf shoes have been sold, they consistently show their durability and reliability on the golf course. Being able to withstand lots of walking, yet have the stability and traction for straight forward or awkward shots, and backing those features up with supreme comfort, there is little doubt that Ecco golf shoes are currently the best in the business, and have been for some time.

Sporting Tri-sport Eclipse cleats, you have the most comfortable grip and stability you need for big drives, yet the shock absorbing mid-sole helps with the comfort for walking and standing. Buying any footwear depends on the size and shape of your feet, but with Ecco golf shoes they come in an array of sizes including those for broader feet, and many golfers feel that their game improves from the added traction and comfort that they provide. It’s rare that one brand could fit the needs of a variety of different people and golfers, but the Ecco golf shoes do just that.

If you’re after some new golfing footwear that is reliable, comfortable, strong, durable and provides extra traction and stability, then Ecco Street Golf Shoes should definitely be on your short list. Try some out and see how they fair on the fairways.

Just as the double-handed backhand in tennis became popular in the mid-80s, the long putter, belly or chin putter is making headway in the golfing world. Brad Faxon is the most-known golfer for using a long putter after his years of playing with a normal size putter, but made the switch as it gives a little more control throughout the whole putting movement.

Ernie Els is also making the switch to the long putter to try and rekindle some silverware from yesteryear and having missed a couple of easy puts that would have seen him in the Frys.Com Open, he’s taken a stand for his short game. While some, including Ernie, think the long putter isn’t completely legal or in-keeping with the game of golf, it’s definitely handy and can bring a new wave of composure to his game and obviously others.

Some feel that it the “Sam Torrence” putter is too far gone to be made illegal and that if everyone else is “cheating” then they should follow suit. The general consensus is that for short to medium puts, the longer shaft is ideal for keeping control of the ball, weight and swing thanks to the pendulum effect it brings. For longer puts, many find that the belly putter is less effective for distances of 20ft+ but that could be down to the closed peripheral effect that a belly putter has it is naturally brings your head down. As far as the legality is concerned, the tungsten steel head screws and fibreglass shafts have changed the way we play golf now, so what is a few feet on the end of your putter?

Golfing equipment can range dramatically in price and performance, and there are so many different products and accessories available that you can have in your golf bags that it can be a bit confusing and daunting. So what is the basic equipment you should have in your golf bags this spring?

A typical golf bag will consist of clubs (1 driver, 2 woods, 2 wedges, and a putter), golf balls, wooden tees, some pencils, some small coins to use as a ball marker, a jacket, sunscreen, and a towel. It all sounds fairly straight forward, right? Well it certainly doesn’t have to be confusing. What brand of club should I buy? How much should I spend on each club? What type of club is right for me? Here are some basic clubs a regular golfer might like to have in their golf bags this coming season.

The driver, also known as the wood, is the club used to tee off at each hole. The driver has the lowest loft of all woods and offers the greatest distance and lowest height. Nike’s SQ MachSpeed STR8-FIT driver is a great driver for the average golfer. Retailing at under £200 this driver features aerodynamic engineering for greater speed through the air, STR8-FIT adjustability for the gaining the distance you need, and the Tour proven square stability technology for great responsiveness and accuracy on impact.

The next golf clubs required are woods, and the most common are the 3 wood and the 5 wood. A wood is a club used to hit long distances, with a large head. Although called a ‘wood’ the clubs these days are usually made from steel. Woods have differing angles at which they hit the ball, in general the lower the height of the ball, the further distance it will travel. A 3 wood has a loft of between 15-18 degrees, and a 5 wood has a loft of between 20-22 degrees. The Mizuno JPX800 collection is a great range of woods. They offer Mizuno’s Ultimate Dynamic Stability technology giving greater accuracy and ball speed on your long drive, no matter if you hit the sweet spot directly or not. They also feature a bevelled leading edge meaning you have maximum club head speed across the turf.

A small selection of wedges are required, the most used wedges are a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a lob wedge. Wedges are similar to irons, but are more specialised for specific shots required. The pitching wedge offers the lowest loft angle of all the wedges. The sand wedge is self explanatory; it is used to get out of a sand bunker. A lob wedge offers a greater loft angle of around 60 degrees. Cobra’s Big Trusty Rusty wedges are a great set of wedge golf clubs at a very reasonable price, under £100 per wedge. They are made with 100% raw unplated stainless steel which is designed to rust with time and use offering a more improved feel. They are specifically designed for maximum spin and forgiveness.

Last, but certainly not least is the putter. The Letter’s Golden Goose 3 putter is available to purchase for under a £100 and with its highly complex milling process to create the face pattern means the ball rolls accurately off the face plate, giving you the maximum in control of distance and accuracy of shot.

Winter is a great time to take a cheap golf holiday with many courses around the world still basking in sunshine and bargains to be had with both flights and accommodation. So if you got a new set of clubs for Christmas or your New Year’s resolution was to finally get that handicap down then you’ll be thinking about booking a golf break in the New Year.

So here are some of the best places in the world to get away from it all in the New Year and perfect your swing. There’s something to suit all styles whether you’re after sun-drenched courses or classic links play…

Northwest Ireland

Never too hot and rarely too cold, even in winter, Ireland is always a stunning place to play golf and Northwest Ireland remains the cheapest place to stay and play. For a more authentic experience of Ireland consider staying in a smaller, family-owned Irish inn or bed & breakfast. There are plenty dotted around Ireland’s golf courses and you’ll be able to appreciate the famous Irish hospitality at its best.

Check out Carne Golf Links (also known as Belmullet), a world class links course. Located in the far north-west of Ireland and framed by the Atlantic Ocean this spectacular course charges just €35 a day green fees during January and February.

Established in 1895, Galway Golf Club is another special course on which to perfect your game. Green fees are just €30 and for that you’ll be able to enjoy 18 challenging holes accompanied by lovely views over parts of Galway Bay.

Jacksonville, Florida

Known as Florida’s ‘First Coast of Golf’, Jacksonville in Northeast Florida is one of the best places in the States to play golf. It isn’t as warm as south Florida, but temperatures are never uncomfortably cold plus off-season weather brings cheaper golf and there are cheap lodging options aplenty. With more than 30 golf courses to choose from in a 75-mile stretch it’s fair to say that Jacksonville is a true golfer’s paradise!

Try The Champions Club at Julington Creek, carved into beautiful Florida wetland it winds through majestic woods and lakes offering challenging play for all abilities. If you play during the week in twilight hours (after 5pm) then rates are as low as $28.

Windsor Park Golf Club is located only minutes from Jacksonville International Airport and features sculpted, rolling fairways and dramatic elevations, things you would expect from a championship course. However you may not expect the excellent prices, play after 3pm on a Sunday and you’ll pay just $34.

The Algarve

Widely regarded as the hidden gem of European golf, Portugal continues to grow in popularity for golfing breaks thanks to its great choice of courses and year round good weather. There is also plenty of accommodation options and plenty of cheap flights to and from the UK. The Algarve in particular is becoming as synonymous with golf breaks as it is for beach holidays, you could even combine the two to keep the whole family happy!

No golfing trip to the Algarve is complete without a round on Quinta de Cima, a championship-style course of great character. Running throughout the stunning layout is a series of lakes connected by a stream which the architect has skilfully incorporated as an added challenge to all who play here. Twilight golf is available daily from 2pm for just €50 and they also offer an unlimited golf package with a stay at the Robinson Club Quinta da Ria Hotel from €489 per person.

As soon as the architect of Vale de Pinta golf club saw the land on which the course was to be built he declared it “God given” for golf. A challenging course for golfers of all standards, Vale de Pinta has rightfully earned its place as one of the best designed courses in Europe. Green fees are agreeable too costing €65 for a round you’ll never forget.

Belek, Turkey

Turkey may not be the first destination you think of when it comes to golf but it has a growing reputation amongst golfing enthusiasts thanks to some spectacular courses and an extraordinarily benign climate, even in low season. Belek is definitely the place to head to as it’s only 45 minutes from Antalya airport so easily accessible for those who want to jump straight from the plane to the fairway. Consider an all-inclusive package where all drinks and meals are included; your hotel should be happy to book tee times for you as well as offering great discounts.

LykiaLinks Antalya is a real work of art, full of undulating dunes and commanding views of the Mediterranean Sea. Beware the prevailing winds on the four holes on the coastline though, they call for a truly Scottish-style ‘punch and run’ repertoire of shots!

Not for the faint-hearted, Sueno’s Pines Course is a serious challenge. Long holes and tight fairways require an expert touch and with the whole course being heavily wooded be prepared to lose a ball or two.

Canary Islands

Wherever you travel to in the Canary Islands you’ll enjoy a fantastic climate and, perhaps more importantly, plenty of opportunities to improve your handicap. There are plenty of travel agents providing cheap golf holidays in the Canary Islands by combining the best quality green fees with affordable accommodation and car hire. Here are two courses that you simply must try:

Tecina is one of the most spectacular courses in the Canary Islands, occupying a sensational cliff top setting within a former banana plantation on the south side of the small island of La Gomera. The truly unique aspect of Tecina is that it plays like a ski slope, descending a steep slope which gives the golfer an experience of almost continuous descent.

Or you could try Maspalomas on Gran Canaria. The course sits next to the busy resort of Playa del Ingles with a spectacular undulating sea of sand dunes situated between the fairways and the coastline.

As well as researching the destination, it is important to look into the additional costs associated with golf holidays. Will it be cheaper to hire clubs out there or would it be better to bring your own? Airline charges for additional items such as golf clubs can be confusing and misleading which is why Purple Parking has compiled the golf baggage allowances of the most popular airlines. The page also contains an infographic on how to pack your golf clubs safely so that you protect your clubs from any damage whilst they are transported.

If you choose to take your golf clubs away with you remember to book your parking in advance for the most competitive rates. Purple Parking has competitive rates when flying from some of the most popular airports, such as Heathrow.

Seriously though, golfing is a great activity. There are many private golf clubs with good membership figures. Many beginners do begin on public golf courses until they are sure that they will continue to play on a long term basis. It is important for every determined player who wants to improve their game that they have good quality golf clubs and obviously, a substantial golf bag in order to carry the clubs.

A very popular brand is the Mizuno Aerolite range of products which are competitively priced and an ideal purchase for everyone. More specifically, the Mizuno Aerolite golf bag is available in several different options giving the purchaser the ideal golf bag for his clubs.

Every golfer needs to have high quality clubs and the golf bag needs to be really sturdy and well made to ensure that the clubs and accessories, gloves, balls etc are kept safely. There are many people who play golf as a hobby and thoroughly enjoy their Saturday or Sunday morning game. With good quality clubs and bag he can only blame himself for his score.

If you are interest in the Mizuno Aerolite range, find out more at GolfworX.

There have been many reports of late about the prevalence of back injuries affecting golfers. It is easy to understand, that because of the stance taken by a golfer that there may be injuries caused as a result. Every person who has back problems can’t of course, blame the pain purely on golf. Back pain is the single highest reason for workers being away from their jobs.

The major problem is that everyone struggling with bad pain may have different types of pain in many alternative areas of the back. It really can’t be generalised. However, improving physical fitness, under the instructions of a qualified doctor, may well improve the situation.

Many golfers start to notice that they have problems after playing the game for a little while. The more enthusiastic they become, the more the back pain kicks in, but in many situations, the golfer doesn’t connect the golf and the pain in the back. The two items are independent as far as the golfer is concerned.

It is only when he contacts his doctor, and the question is asked “have you taken up any new hobbies” that the patient comments that he has recently started playing golf. In some instances, the problem with the back may not be connected to the golf at all, but may be a completely separate issue.
The doctor will be able to advise on the best method of helping the golfer, and he may even send him along to the local hospital to have a couple of x-rays taken to confirm that there isn’t a more sinister problem.

In the vast majority of cases, there won’t be any lasting damage, particularly if the patient went to the doctor soon after he realised the difficulties he was experiencing. However, when any symptoms arise which aren’t recognised it is well worth contacting your General Practitioner.

Many enthusiasts of golf are involved with the social side of the sport nearly as much as playing golf itself and for those people who live alone, meeting friends in the club house can be a pleasant way of spending a couple of hours.

Then there are the other golf enthusiasts who have high-powered jobs and enjoy their time at the golf club as a method of winding down after a few busy days. There are of course, many different groups of people who are involved with golf in one capacity or another.

It isn’t much fun being a golf widow, and for that reason, wives and partners have started to learn how to play, so that at least they are able to be involved and have the opportunity to catch up what has been happening all week.

Whatever the reason for wanting to play it is essential to have good quality clubs and a smart cart bag in order to carry not only the clubs, but many additional accessories. Particularly good examples of this are the Sun Mountain H2NO Bags which are ideal for all weathers as they are waterproof. This must be extremely important to every golfer who must dread the thought of the weather changing and everything in their existing golf bag becoming soaking wet.

The Sun Mountain H2NO Cart Bag is extremely competitively priced and is available with a range of accessories making it the perfect golf cart for every enthusiastic player.

Majorca welcomes thousands of visitors to its Mediterranean shores every year, drenched in natural beauty and adorned in sunshine throughout the year the Island makes a fantastic destination for golfing holidays. With 21 courses dotted around the Island, there is a course for every 17 km squared as well as a rich golfing culture for all visitors. With six courses directly in the vicinity of Capital City Palma and less than 10km from the Airport, the Island is coherently designed to accommodate golfers wanting a short break or wanting to play a round when holidaying in Majorca.

Son Muntaner

Son Muntaner meanders through Majorca’s beautiful landscape and highlights just how beautiful this region is. The course is fairly long at 5,968m in length so it is recommended that players take advantage of buggy rental. Situated closely to the Bay of Palma, the course is perfectly located for those on holidays in Majorca because of its proximity to the Palma and the Airport. It is also one of three courses superbly run by the reputable Arabella Resorts. With daily maintenance on the course visitors will be inspired by the kept greens and carpet fairways.

Water is the main feature of this course, fantastic water hazards are strategically placed on the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 14th hole. The course is suitable for all levels of golfer and with its hilly terrain and bunkers it provides an enjoyable challenge.

Shot Saver: Hole 2 – This par 5 is long and narrow, with water to the right and out of bounds to the left accuracy is your main concern. You can afford to short and safe while approaching the green, think Par and work your way from there.

Son Gual

Son Gual has recently been awarded exclusive championships status, and comes with a growing reputation in the international Golf scene. Ian Woosnam has compared the greens to Augusta National, the high praise detailing the quality of the golf on offer. This course is far more suited to players of medium to high ability because the course offers a stern test of your golfing abilities, and the green fees of €150 to match Son Gual’s exclusive championship status. The course offers wide fairways that sit naturally in its rolling landscape, visitors should expect to find pacey greens.

Shot Saver: Hole 18 – A monster of a Par 5 needs to be managed carefully, with a stream to the left of the tee a solid tee shot is needed. This is a hole for the big hitters, so conserve your energy and take the hole in parts.

Alcanada

This picturesque course is situated towards the north of Palma and in the tourist friendly resort of Alcudia. Alcanada golf course rests effortlessly within its environment, players are faced with subtle natural hazards and fairway bunkers, as well as sumptuous views of the bay of Alcudia. At 6,499 metres in length the course is long, but with a largely flat terrain it is not a struggle to complete the course. Alcanada is a complete golfing complex, visitors can brush up on their swing at the golfing academy or indulge in the culinary delights of the traditional Majorca restaurant.

Shot Saver: Hole 5 – With the flat ground on the course it is possible to hit long and true. This Par 4 has a viscous dog leg to the right, so make the most of the flat terrain and hit left. This will also set you up well for approaching the green, there is absolutely no space to the right so start left and keep that way until you are safely on the green.

Majorca is a great destination for short breaks as well as longer holidays. Golf is highly recommended for holidays to Majorca.

A golf enthusiast of any standard will understand the importance of good irons in developing one’s game. Whatever your golfing ability if you are someone who plays regularly, investing in a high-class set of irons is known to bring a game on leaps and bounds, none more so than the Wilson’s Ci11 range.

As a golfing brand, Wilson is world renowned for manufacturing top of the range golf clubs for players at all levels of the game, the Ci11 irons are commonly regarded as the best-performing clubs off all-time from a company used to winning top awards on a regular basis. These clubs are the third generation of Wilson C (Control) range and come on the back of the previous generations ‘Best in Class’ awards in Golf Magazine’s annual Play Test issue.

Wilson Ci11 irons are the ideal choice of clubs for better players looking to take the next steps in game improvement. It beautifully combines the performance and style synonymous with the brand and the black PVD head has been added to minimise the appearance of the head. The club comes made from 431 stainless steel material, and Wilson has re-engineered the exoskeleton so that weight is re-distributed away from the club face and towards the heel and toe of the club. A one-piece soft response insert helps to dampen vibrations for optimum feel when striking the ball, even on off-centre hits.

The Ci11 irons come in three different shaft options and come tested and recommended by Padraig Harrington. You can purchase your set of Ci11’s from the Golfworx website and choose the option of custom fitting as-well as making a tidy saving on RRP.