Golf Training Aids
Golf training aids have become vastly popular with golfers everywhere. Golfers of all ages and skill levels are constantly looking for ways to help them improve their scores and reduce their handicaps.
The playing professionals have the talent and coaching to help them hit massive drives off the tee straight down the fairway, or consistently drop putt after putt in the hole. But, for the average golfer, we have to use a variety of proven training aids to help us lower our scores.
All of the TV and magazine ads for golf training aids can be quite overwhelming for the average person looking to improve their golf game. Training aids come in every form and fashion, from the Medicus Dual Hinge Driver, to Footjoy socks to help keep your feet comfortable.
But don’t fret, it’s really not as overwhelming as it appears. Although you may be tempted to buy every golf training aid in sight, it’s not necessary or practical, unless of course money is no object. The more prudent option would be to look at your overall golf game and decide what training aids would benefit your particular golf game.
For example, if you’re driving the golf ball long and straight but you’re having problems with your chipping, you may want to purchase a chipping aid. A product like the Chip Mate Net, or Chip-N-Pitch will help you achieve much better accuracy.
If you’re having problems driving the golf ball and keeping it in the fairway, consider the Medicus Dual Hinge Driver. This tool works great for those who may be slicing the golf ball.
There are also many PGA pros who endorse various golf training aids as well. Most of these products are of very high quality and will provide the needed help for your golf game.
Vijay Singh, the winner of several of golf’s majors, advertises and uses the Speed Stik. This training device is a golf shaft that measures your swing speed and helps you quicken your swing speed. This in turn will allow you to improve the distance of your drives. Ernie Els, another winner on the PGA tour, uses the Tempotimer. This device wraps around your golf club and will also improve your golf swing.
If you’re having difficulty with your entire golf swing, whether off the tee or near the green, you might want to consider looking at the 8 Board. This particular training aid will help optimize the swing plane for your individual stroke.
While various PGA playing pros advertise golf training aids, you may want to consider talking with the golf teaching pros in your area. They use several different training aids on a daily basis as part of their profession. These teaching pros are an excellent source for advice on what may work for your particular need and what may not.
Several putting aids are also available such as the Eyeline Putting Laser, as well as Path Pro. These are a couple of golf training aids that are endorsed by P.G.A. Professionals of America. Their job is to find the best training aids available for their students.
Golf equipment is not the only training aids available. There are also fitness routines, mental and physical programs and other methods of building the body and mind to improve your golf game. These are also considered to be golf training aids. Tiger Woods is big on physical fitness. He has helped lead the way in golf fitness for the past 10 years.
The golf training aids industry is huge. Several billions of dollars are spent each and every year in this industry. The Internet has been immensely popular as an advertising medium for training aids. Websites are everywhere that sell all sorts of golf aids.
So, if you’re looking to improve your golf game and lower your scores, then take a good look at all of the various training aids available. Get one that suits your needs and your game. You’ll be glad you did!
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Golf.
Getting in the Zone
On August 15, 2004 Vijay Singh won the 86th PGA Championship.
In an interview earlier that day Singh said, ‘My focus two months ago was the wrong thing.
I was focusing so hard to get to the No. 1 spot that I started not focusing on my own game.
Every time I teed it up, I didn’t want to play bad. I started making simple mistakes.
Now, I am totally focused on what I am doing, my game, and not worried about the rankings…it doesn’t bother me at all.’
Singh’s experience is what we are all seeking on the golf course: to be free of our need to be good enough.
Freedom from this fear has many names: the zone, the zen moment, enlightenment.
Exceptional performers understand how to be present on the golf course. They move through the golf course fully responding to whatever the moment requires of them.
They are one with the ball, one with what they are doing, one with the Now — the present moment.
Re-training Your Mind
Getting in the zone sounds simple, and it is.
Simple…but not easy.
Freeing yourself from the fear of inadequacy and failure means re-training your mind.
This is why the Dahlai Lama is so peaceful. Since the age of 4, he’s been training his mind towards enlightenment.
You can do the same.
Mental Toughness Exercise
Play the next round of golf by yourself. In addition to your score card, take a pocket notebook.
Play the round as you normally do, only this time listen to your mind each time it pays attention to your ego (the part of you that wants recognition) instead of the game itself.
Here are some typical thoughts you might have:
“Why do I always fluff my approach shots?
Why do I always land that bunker?
Why can’t I get more distance on my drives?”
Don’t attempt to stop your mind; simply listen in. When you hear your mind move its attention to the score, the outcome of your shots, or winning, write down these thoughts.
The greater part of your fearful thinking in golf is involuntary and automatic.
When you shine the light of consciousness upon it with self-awareness, it cannot help but wither.
I’ll talk to you again soon.
Your friend,
Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown is a professional speaker, author, and coach
who helps people achieve their aspirations using mental toughness. Visit her golf site at http://www.golfgamesecrets.com
Odds On Tiger
Las Vegas Hilton golf specialist and oddsmaker Jeff Sherman had one important duty to tackle Sunday before he could focus on Super Bowl chores: Adjusting Masters odds on Tiger Woods after golf’s 29-year-old superstar boosted his record for the year to two-for-two by winning the Dubai Desert Classic.
“It’s a smooth start of the year for him,” Sherman said.
Located in the United Emirates Republic half-a-world away and many time zones ahead of Las Vegas, Dubai annually draws golf’s top players — at a price.
Some sports books had Woods linked up to Super Bowl XL in betting propositions.
Woods received a $3 million appearance fee, far more than he earned for winning the $5.4 million tournament.
“I lowered him to 9/4,” said Sherman, who had Woods at 5/2 at the start of 2006.
Phil Mickelson remained the 7/1 second choice and Vijay Singh was still the 10/1 fourth selection.
Ernie Els dipped to 8/1 from 9/1.
Retief Goosen remained 15/1, Sergio Garcia dropped from 25/1 to 20/1; Jim Furyk and Chris DiMarco are 25/1.
Longest shot on the board is 1991 champ Ian Woosnam at 1000/1; two-time green jacket winner Tom Watson is 500/1, along with Craig Stadler.
Woods, recent purchaser of a $38 million Florida oceanfront mansion with his wife, Elin, will be seeking his fifth victory at Augusta, where he is defending champ.
Sherman has posted a prop that asks how many majors Woods will win in 2006.
Zero is 3/2, one is 5/4, two is 3/1, three is 15/1 and four (grand slam) is 40/1.
Woods has indicated he plans to play six times leading up to the Masters, including this week in Los Angeles.
The Masters is slated April 6 through 9.
Lynda Collins is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League.
Read all of her articles at http://www.procappers.com/Lynda_Collins.htm.
