Watch as Jamie Sadlowski Breaks the Golf Channel Simulator

While warming up on the set of The Golf Fix, Long drive champ Jamie Sadlowski breaks the Golf Channel simulator again!

Does he do it with a driver? 

NO - this time the Canadian professional long driver, golfer and ice hockey player from St. Paul, Alberta smashes the simulator with just a 7-iron!

Sadlowski and the longest drivers in the world will attempt to qualify and compete in the RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP, which will air live on Golf Channel from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 30.


"The championship golf tee would be placed in a section of seats that will accommodate thousands of fans. A special platform will be constructed in the grandstand on turn four approximately 75 feet above the track, setting up a straight shot to the natural grass infield. Finalists will be competing on a 50-yard grid that stretches well over 400 yards," mentioned Art Sellinger, CEO and owner of LDA.

See below in this YouTube.com video what most golfers only dream of accomplishing...that is hitting a 7-iron so long that they don't NEED a driver!






The Golf Fix Airs Mondays at 7PM ET on The Golf Channel 
I think it would be a great idea for Michael Breed to invite ME appear on The Golf Fix, don't you? ...Let Golf Channel know!!

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners, @GolfChannel and on our Facebook page.

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Why Replace Your Long Irons with Hybrid Golf Clubs?

Having trouble hitting your long golf irons? Perhaps it is time to consider buying a hybrid or two to replace clubs that no longer serve you well on the course. One of the most negative mental images is to believe, in advance, that you will mis-hit a club in your bag.

Why consider a hybrid? This combination club is a unique blend of iron and wood and has a bigger head which makes off-shots less of a regular occurence. I have already replaced my 4-iron with a similar-distance hybrid and my confidence level soars when I pick it out of the bag.

That being said, Golf for Beginners has put together a short list of the top hybrids on the market and a few golf tips to get you comfortable with your new clubs.


TOP GOLF Game Improvement HYBRID CLUBS

Adams Idea Tech V4 HybridsInstead of listing the top golf hybrid clubs for more advanced players, I thought it would be better to opt for a few choice golf clubs that should improve an average players' game.


1. Adams Idea Tech V4 Hybrids: Considered the easiest-to-hit hybrids that Adams Golf has engineered, Adams Golf website says, "same CT of a driver, which delivers higher ball speeds, more forgiveness and more distance."
Ping i20 hybrids


2. Although Ping Golf considers all of their hybrids as "game improvement" clubs, the Ping i20's were given a "thumbs-up" on Golf Digest's 2012 Hot List for their forgiveness compact head and low CG.


Golf Tips for Hitting Your New Hybrids

1. GolfOutletUSA.com states, "When choosing a hybrid you should always stick to one where the shaft is similar in length to your current irons. Also stick to a hybrid where the shaft is made from the same material as your other clubs, this will ensure you’re not having to change your swing every time you use a new club.  Also choose a club that is aesthetically pleasing to you, this will build up your confidence."

2. Paula Creamer carries no golf club longer than a 5-iron, having replaced her longer irons with hybrids so she is an expert on how to hit a hybrid! Creamer says that, since the shaft of the hybrid is only slightly longer than the corresponding iron, it is important to hit the hybrid like an iron, not a wood.


Paula Creamer hitting hybrids

"Play the ball in the middle of your stance, and keep your weight centered. Your hands should be in line with the ball, and your shoulders, hips and feet should be square to your target. As you take the club back and swing through, make sure to hit the ball with a descending blow--do not use a sweeping motion, as you would with a fairway wood." ...Paula Creamer

3. Finally, after you have tried them out on the driving range and believe that your new hybrid golf clubs are truly easier-to-hit than your long irons (which is probably the reason you tucked them into your old clubs bag in the first place), your confidence will soar. A hybrid golf club will help you achieve a higher ball trajectory with a nice, slow --- smooth --- swing which will help ensure solid contact more often.


Voice your opinions on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on Facebook.


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Want to Play Golf? Three Tips for Beginners

If you've dabbled in a few rounds of golf, or if you've never played but have friends, family or a partner who is an avid golfer, you might be seriously thinking about getting into the sport. And, there are plenty of reasons to try out this "sport that will last you a lifetime"...if you're truly interested.

Golf is a uniquely flexible sport – you can play a few holes or stretch out the fun over the whole day.

Golf can be a social experience with a group of friends, or a chance to get a few hours by yourself on the course trying to beat your best. It's a sport that can be enjoyed by young and old, men and women, in any level of competition. And finally, there's a certain inexpressible joy in experiencing the rolling countryside, the song of birds and the clunk of a neatly aimed putt.

Golf is not that hard to get into and to appreciate. Here are three tips to help anyone to get started:

1. Find a Golf Course:

Get Into Golf Map

There are nearly two thousand golf courses in England (with the number of golf courses worldwide in 2008 at over 35,000) and you're bound to know one in your area. If you're interested, you can find a taster session near you – many are free to try and you get equipment provided as well.

Once you think that golf is the sport for you, why not book a few lessons: there's no better way to discover the rules, etiquette and skills required to become a talented golfer than to have a qualified instructor show you the ropes. Depending on your preferences and comfort level, you can book a one-to-one session or learn as part of a group.

If there's not a conveniently-located course near you, or if you don't have the time initially to practice as often as you'd like, you can try visiting a pitch-and-putt or driving range to practice your skills. Super-twilight golf is also a fun way to play a few holes without having to struggle through a four-plus hour round.

2. Get The Equipment!

At some point, if you're even half-way serious about playing golf, you'll want to purchase your own set of clubs. This is a big undertaking, so don't rush into it! Ask your instructor for advice on the best clubs to suit you, book yourself in for a an in-depth club fitting, or, at the very least, see what the staff at your local golf store can do to help you find clubs which are forgiving and right for your game. You are allowed fourteen golf clubs in your bag but try to pick the ones that work best for you.

Spend according to your enthusiasm. If you've become a regular player, you'll just end up frustrated if you don't go for the best quality clubs you can afford – conversely, if you only get to go a few times a year, it won't hurt to save money on a second-hand pair of clubs if you don't want to stretch.

3. Dress to Impress!

Golf Clothing should blend fashion-forward style with comfort.

When you play your first few rounds, all you really need is something flexible and comfortable, but as you get more serious as a golfer it's important to pick out the right clothing. You can layer your clothing to ensure you're able to adapt to all conditions, stripping down to a shirt for warm weather or donning a waterproof jacket in more inclement conditions.

Holly Aitchison_Bunker Mentality


Choosing a few good pairs of golf trousers and shorts are essential too, combining protection from the elements, comfort throughout the course and unrestrained mobility through the swing. Plus, of course, for the fashion-conscious, golf clothes can be a whole new avenue of expression, with styles that change from year to year.



Thanks to Bunker Mentality for these Golf Tips for Beginners.
Like Bunker Mentality Golf Modern British Golf Wear on Facebook and on Twitter @BunkerNews


photo credits: GetIntoGolf.org, Bunker-Mentality.com


Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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how to improve my golf drive

how to improve my golf drive

Marc Solomon: How To Make A Consistent Golf Swing With Your Driver

The Driver is the name of the game. There's nothing more satisfying than walking off the 18th green knowing that you hit your Driver well all day. In fact, there are times that I play golf just because I want the adrenaline rush that accompanies hitting great drives on the golf course.
To put it bluntly - you need to hit your Driver well to have fun on the golf course. Yes, you can hit your Driver well and still not score well on the golf course. Though, it's very difficult to score well if you're hitting your Driver poor - tee shot after tee shot.
So saying that - let's talk about your Driver and how you can start experiencing the euphoria of great drives. Let's start out with a little quiz:
When hitting your Driver - should you try to:
A) Swing harder than you swing your pitching wedge
B) Swing easier than you swing your pitching wedge
C) Swing with the same amount of effort as you swing your pitching wedge
Answer C
So, if your Driver is holding you back - it could be caused by the effort you're putting into swinging your golf club. We often have many Golfers coming to see us either swinging way too hard with their Driver or (and this may surprise many of you) we see almost as many Golfers swinging way too easy with their Driver.
We see the greatest improvement from our Golfers when they learn and understand that if they put the same amount of effort into swinging your Driver as you do with your pitching wedge - that you'll see incredible improvement in a short time.
Why is this?
Well, let's start with the swinging too hard problem that many face tee shot after tee shot. Listen, everybody at one time or the other has been accused (or self-accused) of swinging too hard at the golf ball with your Driver. "Oh, dang it - I just tried to kill that golf ball!"
I'm sure Tiger has done the same - so you're in good company.
It's frustrating that you know that you shouldn't swing so hard at the golf ball, yet time after time, slice after slice - we continue to do it! Believe me, there isn't any way to guarantee that you'll never swing too hard ever again. Though, there are proven ways to make sure you swing smoother most of the time - or at least 9 out of 10 times.
Though, what about the swinging too easy issue you might be experiencing? There's a lot more of these type's of Golfers out there than you may have thought. You actually maybe doing this and not even know it because many times Golfers are swinging too easy - yet it appears to others that you're swinging too hard.
I guess a simpler way of saying it is these Golfers decelerate their swings when swinging their Driver. Which may come as a shock to many because deceleration is often pegged to other clubs such as wedges (around the green) and putting strokes. Many Golfers can't imagine that they're decelerating with their Driver - yet many of you are.
The question that is often asked when this subject is brought up is - "Why would anyone decelerate their Driver?" And the best answer I can give you is that it's probably because you've been accused of swinging too hard too many times. And we all know - it's been pounded into our heads - that swinging too hard with your Driver is one of the '7 Deadly Sins' we can commit on the golf course. What's another 'Deadly Sin' on the golf course - 'Thou shall not use your ball retriever to fish for more golf balls after you found yours!' Once you find it, drop it, hit it and move along. Amen.
So the affect of constantly being told that you're swinging too hard is that you end up standing over the golf ball wanting to hit a good tee shot, while at the same time you're convincing yourself to "swing nice 'n slow, swing nice 'n slow, swing nice ‘n slow". It's almost like you're trying to hypnotize yourself.
And using the philosophy of - if you hear the same thing over and over, you'll start believing it - you start to be more and more cautious about swinging too hard.
So to give you a better picture/understanding of what I'm speaking about: There are two ways to decelerate - you could be decelerating your body so that your arms are out racing your body to the golf ball (thus becoming disconnected) or you could be decelerating your arms and having your body out race your arms to the golf ball (also becoming disconnected). Either way - you're becoming disconnected and causing yourself to lose control of your club, your club face and thus ... your golf ball.
Either way - it'll appear to others that are watching you (and to yourself) that you're swinging too hard because you lost control. Yet, is it that you're swinging too hard? Or is it that since your arms are out racing your body (which had decelerated) - it just appears as if your arms are swinging too hard.
Think of it this way - if you're body didn't decelerate and was moving along with your arms - you'd hit a great shot and it would appear as if you had made a smooth, fluid, easy golf swing. Yet, because your body slowed down - it makes it appear as if you were swinging your arms too fast. When in reality, your arms were moving at the proper pace.
And the same is true vise versa: if your arms slow down and your body continues to move as it should - others will be telling you that you're swinging too hard and that "you're getting way too far ahead of the ball".
Yet, in reality, all that's happening is that your arms were decelerating. And because you looked so discombobulated - it appears as if you were swinging harder than you should.
Do you want to become more consistent with your Driver? Learn to control your Pace of Swing. GMS uses more than a few Drills to help Golfers to become more consistent with their Driver. The Golfers that continue to practice these Drills see tremendous improvement off the tee with their Driver. Tremendous Improvement!
Now, I obviously can't get into great detail here in this format - so I'll go through a few fairly quickly. The first is almost always mentioned in the Testimonials we receive and display on our website and in Golf Improvement Weekly - simply "Tick Tock". The Golfers that are serious about "Tick Tock" - improve dramatically. The Golfers that aren't committed about it still improve - though maybe not as much as the ones that are serious about it. So simply - get serious and stay committed to your "Tick Tock".
The second is the Half Swing Driver Drill. I can't think of a better way to warm-up than Half Swing Drivers. The control that you achieve over your Driver using the Half Swing Driver Drill when it's a part of the 29 Ball Warm-up is incredible. In fact, I know one Golfer that has improved dramatically that says that he attributes the 29 Ball Warm-up to being one of the main reasons he was so much more consistent in 2008 than ever before. And he maybe the world's biggest advocate for the Half Swing Driver Drill!
The third is the Alternating Clubs Drill. What we have found is that Golfer's that are constantly practicing with their lower number clubs and then gradually moving up to their longer clubs and eventually to their Driver - get into the habit of swinging each club harder and harder. And then after they discover they're swinging their Driver too hard - they move into the decelerating debacle I mentioned above.
The Alternating Clubs Drill allows the Golfer to feel as if every club is being swung with the same amount of effort. It's amazing how this Drill allows a Golfer to swing the club more controlled in a short period of time. And because of this, its fun to watch our Golfers smile again as they walk up to the 1st tee in anticipation of hitting a good Driver as opposed to glum and hesitant about hitting another you know what.
And it's even more fun watching that same Golfer hit a fantastic Driver, and then walk off the tee feeling great about their golf game, their golf swing and their Driver - as opposed to you know what.
Saying that - It's amazing to me that with the success that Golfers see with the GMS program - that people choose others methods. When other programs are struggling so badly that they are constantly lowering prices to get customers because they never have any returnees - GMS had a record 2008. And that record can be attributed to the hundreds of returning Golfers and the friends they brought back with them.
And there's nothing more rewarding than seeing a Golfer that comes back to see us and who says something along the lines of - "I had so much fun playing Golf this past year and I attribute it all to GMS, the Drills and the PLAN you gave me."
So if you come to see us in what remains of 2008 or in 2009 - we're continuing our commitment to helping Golfers continually improve their golf games. You can trust that in addition to all the GMS Drills (some mentioned above), we're still leading the Golf Instruction Industry in developing and improving our program so that our Golfers continue to improve at the fastest rate in the business.
Our belief at GMS is - 'When you succeed in Golf - we succeed in Golf!' Therefore we want to see you play your best golf ever!
The Monkey swings too hard, then swings too easy, then swings too hard, then …
The Player finds consistency with their Driver by swinging all clubs the same
Go ahead, be a Player!
Regards,
Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life
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Today's Top 10: Vintage Golf Treasures You Can Own for Under $50






These days there's a massive nostalgia for the 20th century.  As a result, idiosyncratic objects once considered archaic and uncool, are reemerging from attics and basements.  Vintage artifacts from decades past are being coveted by collectors and sought after by those seeking to reconnect with what now seems a simpler time.

Golf, in a sense, came of age in the 20th century, and as a result it's not difficult to find a diverse array of fascinating items from the game's past.  Whether or not you'd ever want to bring them into your home, it can be comforting to know they're out there... and for those who are so inclined, golf collectibles can be quite accessible.  Check out my top 10 list HERE.

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How to Walk Off the First Tee With Dignity





Guest Golf Blog by Colby Johannson, Founder of Quite The Chap: simple GolfInstruction by a simple man.


Sweaty palms. Racing heart. Light-headedness. Butterflies. We’ve all felt them, we’ve all succumbed to them, but we’ve also had our moments of overcoming them. How can you do it on a regular basis?


Teddy Greenstein wrote in the Chicago Tribune that Hale Irwin forced Lanny Wadkins to hit the opening drive off the first tee afterthey had already planned that Irwin would hit the shot. This didn’t happen just once but twice. Once at Royal Lytham & St. Annes and again at Kiawah Island in 1991, where Irwin told Wadkins…

 “Hey shut up, you gotta hit here.”


No one is immune to the first tee nerves, not even the pros, and with the Presidents Cup fast approaching it’s a hot topic for the likes of Jordan Spieth.

But how do you overcome angst and walk off golf’s first tee with a shred of dignity? 

Warm up and get specific.

The first tee is where most of the negative golf self-talk starts and so begins an avalanche of torment. “Don’t hit it in the trees, don’t duff it, oh god- so and so is watching” and on and on.

Before we’ve even teed off, we’ve convinced our mind and our body that this will potentially, probably, absolutely, be a terrible shot. 

And then it becomes our reality.

I’m going to give you two things, just two, that you can use to combat this debilitating problem.

Number One - Warm Up!

Whether or not you get to hit balls on the driving range, you should warm up in some form or fashion.

If you don’t have time to hit a warm-up bucket or there is no range at the golf course you’re playing:

-          Swing two clubs right handed and then left handed. This will loosen up your entire back and shoulders.
-          Touch your toes (or at least try to) to fully stretch your back.
-          Stretch side to side with your hands over head.
-          Lastly, make circles with your arms to warm up your shoulders.

If you do have time to hit balls, go through your regular routine on the range; warm up with your wedges and work your way up to your driver.

Now here’s where you need to pay special attention. Erik Horve, a Golf Channel Swingfix Instructor & Contributor wrote a great article on the necessary preparation for getting off the first tee.

Erik explains that at the end of your warm-up session you should take out the golf club that you are preparing to tee off with and hit two shots as if you are teeing off on the first hole.

I would take it a step further.

When you’re finished your warm-up session, take out the club you plan to tee off with. Stand behind the ball and visualize yourself hitting the ideal drive. 

See your perfect swing, see the flight of the ball, and see where it lands, all as if you are standing on the first tee.

Then stand up and hit it. Do this three times in total, visualizing the ideal shot before hitting your ball. 



Now not only are you physically warmed up, you are mentally prepared as well. To top it all off, you’ve hit six ideal drives (three in your mind) and hopefully another three on the range (physically).

Number Two - Get Specific!

You’ve warmed up in one-way or another, you’re mentally prepared, and now you’re standing on the first tee.

What do you do now?

You start by controlling your breathing. Deep breaths in and out will help calm you and it will also get some much-needed oxygen to your brain and muscles.

Visualize your tee shot again, just like you did on the range, seeing the flight of the ball and where it will land in the fairway.

Now is the time to get specific. Pick a spot, blade of grass, or divot 12 inches in front of your ball in line with the specific spot you want the ball to land in the fairway.

Line up to the spot twelve inches in front of you. It’s a lot easier than your target 200-300 yards away.

Now that you’ve visualized your swing, the flight path of your ball, where it’s going to land in the fairway, and you’re lined up properly, think of nothing else but where your golf ball is going to end up down the fairway.

If you focus on visualizing the shot and then on the specificity of the shot, you won’t have time to think about what could go wrong.

In summary, the best way to get off the first tee with your dignity is to prepare, mentally & physically, then get specific about what it is that you want to execute.

Read more informative golf tips by Colby Johannson on his Quite The Chap Blog.
You can follow him on Twitter @quitethechap or Facebook.

Photo Credit: Greg Cooper- USA TODAY Sports
Photo Credit: J.D. Cuban- Golf Digest

As always, Voice Your Opinions on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and LIKE US on Facebook.
source: http://golf-for-beginners.blogspot.com
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GolfersLust: A Golf Themed Calendar... With "A Touch of Eroticism"

Sexy golf calendars have been around for a while.

Back in the (very) early days of this blog, Natalie Gulbis and Sophie Sandolo were each doing them, while a gaggle of Australian golfers collectively caused some controversy with their daring daybook.

Then, a few years ago, the craze seemed to fade; where sexy glamour shots once ruled, the focus shifted towards sportiness and... golf.  The traditionalists were probably pleased with this development, while fans of the sport's sensual side lamented.
These days however, it seems a carnal calendar renaissance might be underway; The Blair O'Neal Cobra Golf Swimsuit Calender came out this year, featuring the talented Symetra Tour golfer in a multi-chromatic collection of tiny little swimsuits.  Then just yesterday I was made aware...via German golf portal exclusivgolfen ... of a new and ambitious entry into the sexy golf calendar space.

Bavarian business partners Kerstin Maria Stretz and Helmut Grabowski are passionate amateur golfers and their goal with GolfersLust is to build a spirited and exciting golf lifestyle brand in a country where the sport is still perceived by many as... conservative, draconian and totally un-fun!

Inspired by the iconic Pirelli calendar... which for decades has enhanced the image of a venerable Italian tire manufacturer... Stretz and Grabowski were convinced that such a publication could help to sweep away the dusty perceptions many still have about golf.  So they assembled a team that included fashion photographer Ulrich H.M. Wolf and makeup artist Bettina Wolf... both well known for their work in the European fashion scene... and headed to Ibiza. A number of stunning models (and some top of the line golf equipment) were the final ingredients.

The result is GolfersLust, an elegant calendar with... in Stretz's words... "a touch of eroticism".  Golf is the theme, but I think it's safe to say, these photos transcend the game. Oh, the purists will not be pleased, that's for sure, but I don't think that matters much to the team at GolfersLust, they're too busy creating their singular golf lifestyle brand.  The calender can be ordered at the GolfersLust website. 
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