by Dee Power

The game of golf is steeped in history. Golfers are appreciative of the game’s history, and enjoy learning about the great players of the past, and the memorable tournaments. Just watch any major championships on TV: there are always segments about prior championships played on that course, who won, and what were the memorable shots. Golf’s long history also presents the opportunity for an interesting and potentially lucrative hobby, collecting vintage golf equipment. Displaying vintage clubs or balls can add a lot of interest to any golfer’s home.

Just as anyone who appears on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow program can attest, it is tremendous fun to try to find bargains in antiques, and vintage golf equipment is no exception. Vintage golf items are relatively easy to find, and pursuing this hobby can be a way to learn more about the history of the wonderful game of golf, and how equipment has evolved and improved down the years. It’s fun to grip an old hickory-shafted club form the ’20’s, set down a gutta percha ball, and imagine trying to actually play with this type of equipment! You quickly gain greater appreciation for today’s forgiving clubs and juiced-up golf balls.

As with any other form of collecting, there are pitfalls, however. You need to make sure items you are buying are authentic vintage equipment, not fakes or replicas. For instance, new clubs can be distressed to look antique. If you are buying items with signatures from great players, you need to make sure the signature is authenticated. These types of collectibles, if authenticated, can enjoy great price appreciation over the years.

You can of course search for vintage golf equipment online. The mega-store eBay has an extensive “Vintage” golf equipment section on their site, often with more than 1000 items. Golf collectibles are not necessarily just clubs from the late 19th or early 20th Century. The original “Ping” putters from the 1960’s are highly sought after collectibles. Items bearing the signatures of greats such as Ben Hogan or Byron Nelson also fetch hefty premiums. Prices for vintage equipment can start very reasonably, $20-$50, and be as high as several thousand dollars for certain rare items.

There are also online sites devoted exclusively to golf collectibles.

Antique Golf Clubs from Scotland describes itself as “the leading online resource for antique golf clubs and memorabilia from Scotland, the birthplace of golf. http://www.antiquegolfscotland.com/antiquegolf/main.php3

Niblickgolf.com offers clubs and balls from the 1900-1930 period, obtained from a private collection. http://www.niblickgolf.com/antique.html

A vintage driver runs around $125, a Mashie (5 iron) is $95 and a mesh-patterned golf ball in good condition is $75.

Before beginning your acquisition of vintage golf equipment, you should do some research. An excellent guidebook is: Antique Golf Collectibles: A Price and Reference Guide (Paperback) by highly respected golf collector and publisher, Chuck Furjanic. This book includes comprehensive information on literally thousands of collectibles: antique clubs and balls, autographs, signature golf balls, artwork, medals and trophies, as well as trading cards and other collectibles. With more than 500 photographs, this book is fascinating to read as well as an important price guide for would-be collectors.

A few other tips: 1) Try to find items in as good a condition as possible. These are more likely to hold their value or appreciate. “Vintage” doesn’t mean in beaten-up condition. 2) Putters are among the most popular collectibles. 3) When you begin collecting, stick with equipment items, clubs, balls, vintage golf bags, etc. rather than golf artwork, which requires more study in order to make informed decisions.

Want to know more about cheap green fees, discount golf equipment, and budget golf vacations? Check out Golf on a Budget, tricks and tips to save money on golf. More golf tips. Brian Hill is the author of several nonfiction books, screenplays, and the novel Over Time. Read his sports blog

by Mick Euan Tait

Golf is a difficult game to master; the beginner golfer needs a lot of instruction and tips to get started. I believe that it is best to start of looking for reliable free golf tips to begin your golf education. That way, you can learn about the different golf equipment options, grip styles, swing techniques, and other things like course management – all without spending a penny.

One-On-One Golf Lessons

The next step could be to take a few golf lessons with a professional instructor. After that, you will need to practice at the driving range and on the golf course. By this stage you should be at a level where you can play some decent shots, and not so many duff shots. But to take your game to the next level, you should continue your golf education.

Golf Instruction Online

By taking golf lessons online, it could make the difference from shooting scores over 100 or in the 90’s to being able to break 90 or even 80. You will learn how to play golf with more accuracy and consistency, and really start to enjoy your golf.

Two of the major benefits of taking golf lessons online are cost and time. For the same amount of money that you would pay for a half hour lesson, you will get 2 or more months worth of golf instruction online. The second benefit is that you can fit these programs into your schedule by practicing the lessons anytime you want, at home or in your office.

Comprehensive Golf Lessons Every Month

The top golf lessons online that you can find are programs run by professional and competent instructors. For a really low monthly fee, you will receive a ton of information that will take you from a beginner to an advanced golfer. These types of programs give you all this information in an extremely organized way that is easy to follow.

Every month, you will get lessons on just one area of golf. So, by the end of the month, you will perfect and master that area – whether it is chipping, putting, driving, or bunker shots. Every single aspect of the game is covered, from the different types of shots to learning the mental game of golf, stretching and flexibility training, different training aids you can use in-doors, and how to choose the right golf equipment.

Many Types Of Golf Material To Learn From

There are normally many resources for you to learn from at the best golf lessons online programs. Things like breakdown sessions and practice drills on online video, DVD clips, live teleseminars, worksheets and assignments, evaluation of training aids, tracking worksheets, and access to a private forum.

Master The Game Of Golf

Therefore, if you want to become a better golfer and master the game, I would suggest that you check out one of these golf lessons programs. You will receive expert help to lower your scores in a convenient and very affordable way. Remember, you can go at your own pace so that there is no excuse that you don’t have time to practice.

You can get more information by reading Mick’s blog review for the top Online Golf Lessons program. Also, check out his website for Free Golf Lessons and beginners golf tips.

by Sean Cochran

The golf swing is arguably one of the most difficult athletic actions to perform. The golf swing requires you to draw the golf club through a long range of motion with proper technique and exact timing.

Any error in swing plane, timing, or sequence will cause your golf swing to suffer, and suffer it will. Unfortunately, the result of your golf swing suffering will be errant shots, poor golf scores, and frustration on the golf course
.

Often the amateur is at a lost for why their golf swing results in errant shots. Countless hours are spent at the range in an effort to improve their golf swing. Hundreds or even thousands of dollars are spent on lessons each year, and not to mention the purchasing of new equipment.

It all adds up to a lot of time and money spent on improving the golf swing. Unfortunately, for many amateur golfers their handicaps and score never improve. Leading to the question “why is my golf game not improving?”

If this is you and this question lingers in your mind. The answer to your question could easily be staring right back at you in the mirror. The failure of improvement may have absolutely nothing to do with the driver you are swinging, the teaching pro helping you with your swing, or even your practice routine. It could all do with you! Yes you, the physical body swinging the golf club.

Keep in mind the golf club does not perform the mechanics of the golf swing. Nor do the mechanics of the golf swing execute themselves without you. It is you and your body executing the mechanics of the golf swing. The point to make is your body directly affects the mechanics of the golf swing.

Additionally, the golf swing requires your body to encompass certain physical qualities to execute the mechanics of the golf swing correctly. These physical qualities are certain levels of flexibility, muscular strength, balance, and power. If you are lacking the minimal amounts of flexibility, balance, strength, and power to execute the golf swing correctly. Compensations will occur even before you swing the golf club.

For example, let’s look at your flexibility. The golf swing requires you to draw the golf club through a large range of motion. The backswing requires a full shoulder turn to set the club in the correct slot for the downswing, and the finish position is almost a mirror image of the backswing.

In order to perform these parts of the golf swing correctly, the muscles of your body must be flexible. An inflexible body in which muscles are “tight” creates restrictions in movement. Restrictions in movement in relation to the golf swing will undoubtedly result in limitations pertaining to golf swing. The limitation will impede you from creating a full shoulder turn and balanced finish position. This causes compensations in the mechanics of the golf swing.

The entire body needs to be flexible for the golf swing. Certain muscles more than others are involved in the golf swing, and if these muscles are “tight” they will directly affect your golf swing. One such set of muscles is your hamstrings.

The hamstrings (back side of your upper leg) are often “tight” and cause problems to many people, not just golfers. However, they have a profound effect on the golf swing and it is not a good effect. Hamstrings that are “tight” are in a shortened position. The shortened position of the hamstrings has a direct effect on the position of your hips. Your hips will be “tucked”, directly affecting your posture. This in itself can hamper the ability to place oneself in the correct position at address within the golf swing, not to mention maintaining a proper spine angle during the swing.

Additionally, “tight” hamstrings place an undo amount of stress on the lower back. Large amounts of stress on the lower back cause fatigue, soreness, and increase the possibility of injury. If you are a golfer that has ever experienced lower back pain you know the effect it has on your ability to swing the golf club correctly.

A combination of a postural change and undo amounts of stress on the lower back, just begin to scratch the surface of the effect inflexible muscles can have on the golf swing. “Tight” muscles change the kinematics of the body. As a result, the biomechanics of the golf swing must be altered. These alterations usually lead to compensations in the mechanics of the golf swing resulting in errant shot patterns on the golf course.

And no matter what you do in terms of practice or instruction these alterations will not go away until you address them. Just as you address swing faults, you must address flexibility faults. Flexibility faults can be addressed through golf stretches.

Golf stretches enhance the flexibility of your body in relation to the golf swing. Golf stretches often times return muscles that are “tight” such as the hamstrings to their proper length. This results in the ability of your body to perform the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. If you are one of many golfers who are not finding their golf swing improving through practice and instruction. Take a moment and look at the body swinging the golf club. This very well may be the root of your golf swing problems. Fix your flexibility faults through golf stretches and find yourself on the road to lower golf scores and more enjoyment in the game of golf.

Sean Cochran

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA

by Duncan White

Buying golf bags is an important investment. Get it right first time with the help of these FAQ’s

Buying a new golf bag, whether it’s your first or your third, can be a trial if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Buying the wrong style, size or shape can be a costly mistake that you will want to avoid. These are some of the most frequently asked questions about golf bags that should help you make the perfect purchase.

Q Should I buy a bag with single or double shoulder straps?

Most manufacturers make their golf bags with double straps, as these are far less damaging to the back and shoulders. But do make sure you go for double, and use them to distribute the weight of your golf bag evenly across your body as you walk around the course.

Q What’s a Carry Bag?

This is the golf bag that you will probably end up buying. This style is much lighter and less bulky than the professional tour bags you see being used in matches, and can be carried around the course by the average golfer. Some models come with a built-in stand so you can prop your golf bag upright beside you, giving you easy access to your clubs without straining your back.

Q When might I need a Sunday bag?

The Sunday Bag or Pencil Bag is an ultra-light slim golf bag designed for shorter and social games. They’re pretty useless in wet weather as lightweight, non-waterproof fabrics are generally used to reduce weight. These golf bags have very few storage pockets for your accessories, so don’t expect to be able to stuff one of these with towels and gloves. If you’re starting out in golf or only play occasionally, this would be an ideal purchase, as it’s a smaller investment and is the ideal size for a few clubs.

Q Why do golf bags have compartments?

Imagine 14 golf clubs in a bag without dividers. You’d spend half your time rooting around trying to find the right iron, whilst the players behind you stamp their feet impatiently. With dividers you can separate your longer driver and fairway metals from your medium irons, and then your short irons and wedges. A good feature that many golf bags sport is a separate slot of outside container for your putter.

Q Does my golf bag need a hood?

If you’re playing in wet climates a hood will keep your bag and equipment dry. If you travel a lot, it will offer extra protection and security.

Q Why do prices for golf bags vary so much?

Mainly because the materials used to make golf bags vary. A lightweight nylon fabric is going to cost much less leather or PVC. Some designer brands make exclusive golf bags that are only suitable for the very rich!

Q Is the colour of my golf bag important?

The colour and design of golf bags is mostly a matter of choice, but if you’re playing in winter or when it’s wet, avoid white or cream. Manufacturers have got a lot bolder with their golf bags, and you can now have a bright pink one if that’s your thing!

About The Author:
Duncan white with Golfandsports provides you best information to choosing golf equipment including junior and ladies golf clubs equipment. He also provides you details on discount golf sets, golf clubs and equipment.

by Godfrey Swain

Should golf swing mechanics matter to beginners and casual golfers? After all, you are only playing for fun, right? True enough, but I personally prefer to play to win. At the very least, I want to be able to give my opponent a good fight. And that is why I feel that it is better to learn how to play golf correctly.

Familiarity with golf swing mechanics is one part of this equation. You need to know how to swing your golf clubs – normally 1 driver, 2 fairway woods, your irons, pitching wedge and sand wedge, and putter. There are certainly a lot of clubs you need to become familiar with. Most people are not able to learn all of them on their own. You would probably need proper golf lessons, preferably from a personal trainer or even a golf school. The next best thing to face-to-face instruction with a human trainer is to get video, dvd or online golf lessons. Books are good for theory and tactics, but difficult to learn golf swing mechanics from.

A second factor to playing golf well is to simplify. Traditionally, many golfers play with a set of 7 irons (number 3 to number 9). Each iron is a different length. However, if you use the 1-Iron Golf System, you can buy all your irons with the same length. This way, you only need to learn 1 swing. You can cut down your learning curve by half. Isn’t that great?

Another way to simplify your swing is to learn the “one plane swing” rather than the more normal “two plane swing”. The two most famous golfers who use the “one plane swing” are Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh. The more normal “two plane swing” needs you to co-ordinate two different planes of movement – the flat rotation of your body and the upright swinging of your arms. By contrast, the “one plane swing” only needs you to match your arms and shoulder movements in one single plane of movement. Before you rush to learn this simpler swing, you should be aware that some golf trainers feel that the stances used by Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh look rather awkward. Some of them also feel that there may be more stress on your spine.

The only way to improve your golf swing is to practise a lot. The easiest clubs to practise with are your putter and wedges. These clubs are used for short ranges, so with some artificial mats and cups you can even practise it in your yard or driveway of your home. You can even practise your putter indoors, if your house has a long hall available. This is probably the fastest way for you to shave a few strokes off your golf – just by practicing with your putter and wedges at home for thirty minutes every day.

Here are the 3 parts of your golf swing which you need to master: 1) backswing; 2) downswing; 3) followthrough. You need to master these 3 actions as well as the smooth change from one action to another. During your practice you need to be aware of how your body feels during each action. Here is a tip which some martial artists use to learn a difficult technique – do it slowly but correctly with full body awareness. Repeat until your body becomes familiar with the movement. Then slowly speed up your swing while making sure all the movements are still correct. This is the fastest way to improve your golf swing.

About The Author:
Godfrey Swain is a weekend golfer who used to struggle on the wrong side of 80. After he opened his mind and learned how to play golf the right way, he is now able to hit the right side of 70 on his good days. If you have these 3 problems with your golf swing: 1) inconsistency; 2) slice; 3) distance, then click here to find out how to improve your golf swing.