What is the ideal golfing trip? Frankly, it will be different for
everybody, and not necessarily the same for an individual.
For some golfers the ideal outing would be going to a major course
and getting to play on it, knowing professional golfers had played over
this same course. What golfer would not want to play the course
where the Master’s or U.S. Open is held? Most would almost kill
(figuratively speaking) for the chance. These are courses where
legends have played - players such as Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods.
(Yes, Woods can be considered a legend of golf based simply on the
fact he has won so many tournaments at such a young age.)
For others, though, the ideal golfing is not so much where they play as
to the weather conditions. Some golfers prefer a day with mild
temperatures and a light breeze to help keep them cool, while others
want a challenge and will go to the extremes weather-wise. There are
those who will play when the temperature hits triple digits, or drops
well below freezing, just to see how well they play under these
circumstances.
And, there are golfers who will play in the snow and at night. Specially
designed golf balls have been created for these golfers. The night
players can chase their glow-in-the-dark golf balls all over the course,
but need to take a flashlight to prevent running into a tree or some
other hazard on the course. For those who play in the snow,
fluorescent golf balls were created. These brightly colored balls are
easy to see against the snow-covered course.
Either way, golfing in the extreme is a challenge, and not one for the
faint of heart, or the poor of play. For golfers who play in extreme
heat, they need to remember to bring plenty of water to drink and
leave all alcoholic beverages alone. Those who play in the cold should
have something warm to drink in a thermos
to help keep their body temperature up, even
if they are walking the course. But, these
people tender to consider this to be ideal golf
outings.
For most golfers, though, the ideal golf outing
is simply the chance to go to their favorite
course with a few friends and chase golf balls
all over the pasture, just having a good time
and not taking the game too seriously. This is the most prevalent type
of golfer, and these players can usually be found playing in couples
and foursomes. They will chide one another on a bad shot, while
complimenting one another on good shots and putts. The final score
rarely matters (unless they tend to be serious golfers), as they are on
the links to have a good time and get away from the stresses of every
day life.
Oddly enough, there are golfers who prefer to play the game by
themselves. The solo golfer will most likely walk the course, getting to
know the feel of every tee box, fairway and green with his or her feet.
The Perfect Grip – Or is It?
It’s easy to say that those who don’t have a good grip won’t have a
good game. And it’s easy to say that a good grip is vital to a good
swing. But what constitutes a “good grip?” How do you achieve it? And
if you don’t have one, where do you get it?
Unlike the latest gadget, the training aid that helped you stop that
awful slice or even your lucky golf sweater, you can’t find a perfect
golf grip at your favorite golf supply place. And even more confusing, if
you ask any fifty golfers – amateurs or professionals - to demonstrate
The Perfect Grip, you’d likely get fifty slightly different demonstrations.
It comes to a variety of factors. Unfortunately for some (and
fortunately for others), golf isn’t an exact science. You can’t put an
equation on your golf grip. But there are some things you can do to
make your grip better. Take a look at some of the tips offered by the
pros.
Make sure the grip on your club is right for you. Most people
understand the role clubs play in a great round of golf. If you’re not playing with your own clubs, you may find yourself playing a poor
game of golf. But some people think that a new set of golf clubs are a
wonderful gift without stopping to consider that the clubs may not fit
the player. Just as a single pair of gloves wouldn’t fit every golfer, golf
grips are made for the individual. Take time to find what fits you best
and don’t settle for something else.
Comfort is another point. No matter which golf grip you prefer, you
have to be comfortable with it. If you’re spending all your time
chanting a mantra – “right hand like so, left thumb goes here, push
the left hand to here” – you can’t think about anything else. While
most golfers do have to spend some time practicing the grip, it
shouldn’t become the most time-consuming point of learning (or
playing) the game.
If you aren’t happy, try something new. If your grip is too
uncomfortable or the grip on your clubs too large, fix it. Unless you’re
working with a professional coach who refuses to let you make any
adjustments, take a look at your methods and your equipment.
If you do have someone pointing out a better method (and if your
game is indicating that you need that help), take time to give it a good
try. Any change in your grip is probably going to result in at least
some minor discomfort. Your body, arms and hands are accustomed to
working in one particular movement and a change in your grip is going
to mean that all those parts have to make some adjustments. That
change probably isn’t going to happen naturally in just a few minutes
(or hours) or practice. Give the new grip a chance to become more
natural and see if it helps. It’s never too late to revert, but you should
at least give it a proper chance.
The Potential Challenges of Putt Putt Golf
Most people don’t consider miniature golf to be
challenging. On the other hand there are avid putt-
putt golf participants that travel the United States in
search of the next great challenge. Almost every
town has at least one such golf course. There are
websites that deal strictly with miniature golf
vacations.
What better way to form a sense of bond with your
family than to pack them up and head off to the nearest putt-putt golf
course? Or set your entire family vacation around the idea of a
miniature golf course. Just like with every other family there is a
theme to your family vacations. Now if dad can just admit his inner
most desire to see the largest miniature golf course in America, we can
be happily on our way.
Whether you are heading across the state to see the most amazing
small golf course or across town to the local putt-putt course you are
bound to find fun. From the largest to the smallest family member
there will be challenges for each one. And normally there are video
arcades or large ponds with giant goldfish to feed when you are
finished. Don’t forget the ice cream parlor on the way home.
Golf is golf, they say, and no matter how you get to play it be glad
you’re playing. The challenges on a legitimate golf course can’t be too
much more challenging than those dreaded windmills on a miniature
golf course. Sand traps? Don’t make us laugh. With putt-putt golf
there are dark caves, stampeding elephants and once there was a
report of a giant whale that ate golf balls.
In reality the thought and preparation that is behind each and every
miniature golf hole rivals that of any regular-sized golf experience.
Putt-putt golf courses are expensive to keep going. Electricity bills are
to be paid. Upkeep and maintenance is also an important part of any
golf course, miniature golf is no exception. And though they seem to
suffer as part of America’s fading pastime where families gather and
do things out-of-doors as a group, put-putt golf will not go quietly.
With your interest, curiosity and support future generations will be
blessed to know what it is like to herd a pink golf ball through the
mouth of a snake only to realize it has gone straight through the snake
and fallen right into the ninth hole as a hole in one.
Though pink golf balls and pint-sized golf clubs may seem distracting
to a serious golfer, imagine the delight you will discover with a group
of friends or with family members as you make your way through
difficult miniature golf holes. Keeping score is always a fun thing with real golf and miniature golf should be no different. The secret is to
make the most honest person in the group scorekeeper.
So the next time you are stumped for something fun to do on a
Saturday night or if you are trying to decide on the best party place for
your eight-year-old son and six of his friends, think no more. Putt-putt
golf is amazing fun, great exercise and terrifically affordable!