Find The Highest Point of The Green

The first thing you need to do when you read a green is to find it's highest point. One you have done this try to imagine a bucket of water falling on that spot and picture in your head where the water flows. Doing this will give you a great idea of how the ball will move on the surface and it will help you in judging how hard you need putt because you can judge uphill and downhill easily.

If you are not playing in a tournament you can try pouring water on the green for real and testing the technique in action. It's important to remember that doing something like this is highly illegal in actual tournament play.

Walk Around The Green

Walk around the green and feel the ground underneath you. This technique is even more helpful if you do it with your eyes closed because you have to depend on your sense of touch only and you will visualize which way the ground is sloping.

Try Looking at the Putt From a Different Perspective

There has been lots of times where just looking at the green from a different point has given me a clearer indication of the slopes or hills. Even if you don't think it is necessary try it and you might be surprised to see you have missed something important.

Look at the Horizon

When you are judging a green look to the horizon and compare the lie of the green to it. On some courses with a lot of elevation this will be impossible, but if you are playing somewhere where you can find the horizon it can be a big help. Try to remember that if there is a large body of water nearby like the ocean or a lake then the green will probably fall towards it.

Try putting some of these golf tips into practice and you will notice a marked improvement in your short game.

No Distance Control

You wrists breaking down during the putt is the most common golf putting mistake. Whenever you putt it's really important to keep your wrists firm throughout the stroke and allow your shoulders to do the work. Try allowing your shoulders to rock back and forth in a pendulum type movement. This will give you much more control because of the constant and steady back and forth motion. If you let your wrists become involved this adds another variable making distance control much harder.

Messing Up Short Putts

Not keeping you eyes over the ball is the number one reason for missing short putts. This is the first thing you need to check when you start missing 3 footers. Try to set up the putt so that if you dropped a ball from the bridge of your nose it would fall right down on top of the ball on the ground.

Not Practicing Putting Enough

Go to your practice green. Stand 20 feet from the hole and try to throw 3 golf balls into it.

I'm certain that the second ball you throw will be nearer to the hole than the first. Also, the third ball will be closer than the second. This technique is called 'developing touch'. The more you 'develop touch' with your putter the better you will get at controlling your putt.

Not Reading The Green Correctly

Not reading the green correctly and judging whether a putt is uphill or downhill badly is a major cause of poor putting. The difference in gradients on many greens can be very small but the change in speed can be the difference between a good putt and a poor putt. If you're having trouble check out our golfing tips article on how to read a green.

Moving Your Head and Poor Alignment

Try to keep your head still throughout the entire putting stroke and even for several seconds afterwards. Try to check your alignment every time you putt. If you think it's necessary ask a golf buddy to check out your alignment as you putt.

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A simple call to your local golf course will do the trick. Just ask them if they have a driving range with heated tees. You’ll find that most golf courses have indoor driving ranges set up for their members. If not on site, your local golf course pro will definitely be able to direct you to a place nearby where you can take out some frustration with Big Bertha.

In addition to just getting out and smacking some range balls, why not sign up for golf instruction and work out some of the quirks in your swing? You’d be surprised at what you can get accomplished by just hitting balls into a net indoors. Many pros also have swing analysis software and tools they use to video tape your patterns, then review and make recommendations and changes. It’s all high technology, but it works and can shave strokes from your game quickly.

Winter is also a good time to find golf equipment on sale. These days, I can’t turn on the radio or TV without hearing an advertisement for a huge "golf liquidation sale" going on somewhere nearby. I’m sure there are great deals at these events, but if you’re anything like me, you don’t like paying a fee to gain access to a huge convention center full of stuff you may or may not be in the market for. Truthfully, getting a deal on golf equipment during the cold months is much easier if you shop online. Looking for clubs, bags, balls, shoes or even lessons on the internet is the way to go these days, trust me.

Finally, once you get your swing right and find that perfect fairway wood you’ve been missing, you may consider taking a trip to warmer places and playing a few rounds over a weekend. Weekend golf trips are the perfect getaway during the gloomy cold and snowy times of the season. There are golf courses from South Carolina to Mexico that specialize in quick getaway packages for snowbirds like you and me.

Get out today and get “back into the swing” so you are ready to go come April showers and May flowers! Big Bertha will thank you.

There are certain core elements to the swing that even the pros often take for granted. As you peruse this article you'll find these tips will make measurable if sometimes modest shave strokes off ments that accumulate to lowering your score.

Let's start with your stance. The first thing you want to do is to make sure that you are steady yet relaxed. If your posture is uptight and tense, then there is an increased probability that your swing won't arc and follow through the way you want it to.

Once you are in a comfortable and relaxed position with your club in hand, you'll also want to make sure that your feet are solidly planted about a shoulder's width apart. Many golfers are tempted to raise their heels up when they swing, but this leads to a poor swing. If you are lifting your heels up while you swing, this tends to alter your center of gravity and negatively impacts the velocity of your swing. It is now obvious, your posture is one of the most important aspects here.

To gain consistency in you swing, your must practice regularly. Even if you are a weekend golfer, it's still important to practice. Even when you are just golfing for fun, it's even more fun when you do better. You won't be able to see any real results unless you dedicate a portion of your time to perfecting your swing. You should feel confident in whichever one you choose.

One of the big obstacles that golfers who live in the northern half of the United States face is the inability to play golf during the winter months. However, in many of these areas, homes are built with basements that if they have a high enough ceiling can be a great place to set up practice net, a golf mat which will allow you to swing away.

Another great option is to use a golf simulator. These can dramatically shave strokes off your swing as they provide information you need to make the small but impactful changes to get better. And the great thing is that these golf simulators are now quite attractive and can hook up to a simple laptop. Find simulators and other great equipment for golfers at many online golf stores.

Finally, if it's your spouse who golfs, don't forget that a good video on swing improvement, a practice net or golf simulator all make golf accessories and gifts which he (or she) will love for years to come.

Walking the course is the choice of the pros and, according to the USGA, the use of carts is a detriment to the sport and should be stopped. So basically, walking the course is good for your health, the course's health and even the game's health.

Considering the Benefits

First, walking the course is great exercise. In one study, Swedish researchers concluded that walking a full round of golf was equal to 40-70% of the intensity of a full, high-impact aerobic workout.

Another study, led by American cardiologist Dr. Edward Palank, proved that walking golfers were able to lower their levels of bad cholesterol. Basically, four hours of walking a good golf game is equal to about one 45-minute aerobics class.

Carts also damage a course and destroy the fairways. Typically, most courses discourage the use of carts on fairways for this very reason. The carts cause wear and tear, drag dirt onto the grass and create ditches and hazards. For the sake of the course and the environment of the area, walking is the best option.

Surprising Speed

And though it seems backwards, a walking team of golfers can usually complete 18 holes faster than golfers on carts. A walking team doesn't have to spend time all going to each individual golfer's ball on every hole, but can rather split up and maintain a steady speed throughout the course. So typically, the tortoise walkers win the race.

If you're new to walking the 3 kilometers of a full course or have become dependent on your cart but want to start walking the golf course again, you can always work your way back up to it.

Practical Tips

Try alternating holes with a friend, with each of you walking every other hole or walk one set of nine holes and then ride the final nine. Once you're ready, go for the full eighteen.

Concerning your golf equipment, it may be time to invest in a lighter bag or a wheeled hand cart. Today, a number of companies sell a double-strap bag that can be worn like a backpack and is a lot easier on a walker's shoulders. If you opt for a wheeled hand cart, though, never take it onto the green.

Though it is tempting on a hot summer day of your golf vacation to take the easy ride around the golf course, walking the entirety of the course instead will actually energize you in the long run.

Armour, Oberholser Lead at Pebble Beach

Defending champion Tommy Armour III eagled the 18th hole Friday at Spyglass Hill en route to a 1-under 71, joining Arron Oberholser in a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational.

Oberholser shot a 6-under 66 with seven birdies and one bogey -- the day's low round -- at Spyglass Hill. He and Armour were at 7-under 137.

John Cook, who also played at Spyglass Hill and held a three-stroke lead after an opening-round 62 at Del Monte, had a 76 and was among five players at 138.

Brock MacKenzie (68, Pebble Beach) of the Nationwide Tour, Tom Purtzer (70, Spyglass Hill) of the Champions Tour, Nicholas Thompson (69, Spyglass Hill) of the PGA Tour and mini-tour player Andrew Hoffer (69, Del Monte) joined Cook at 6 under.

Former PGA Championship titlist Rich Beem (69, Spyglass), Bryce Molder (68, Del Monte) and former club pro Brad Martin (74, Spyglass) were tied at 139.

The 37th annual tournament featured players from the four major tours as well as mini-tour players, club pros and amateurs. Amateurs were competing on teams. Champions Tour and LPGA entrants received distance advantages on tee shots.

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Golf Course

Dubai turns sand into fantasyland

Curtis Hegge doesn't usually speak strictly in superlatives. But that was before the 30-year-old moved to Dubai seven months ago.

Now the Calgarian, who is living and working in Dubai, claims this degree of grammatical comparison is the only way to describe the mojo of Dubai's ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, and his grand architectural scheme: to turn this tiny patch of parched land in the Middle East into the world's biggest and boldest tourist fantasyland, luring 15 million visitors a year by 2010.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Dubai's known oil reserves will most likely be tapped out by that year.
Hegge isn't fussed about the timing.

"It's a virtual Mecca. The scale and volume of options for tourists are mind-blowing, and the service you get, no matter where you go, makes you believe you're an Arab prince," he enthuses.

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Private Golf Lesson

Hak, 14, youngest to make Euro cut

Hong Kong teenager Jason Hak, 14, produced a birdie-birdie finish to become the youngest player to make a European tour cut yesterday, smashing Sergio Garcia's record set in 1995.

Hak drilled a 150-yard approach on to the 18th green and holed a 10-foot putt, shaking his fist in celebration as he reached the UBS Hong Kong Open's weekend rounds with two scores of 70 for level-par 140.

Hak, who is aged 14 years and 304 days, beats Garcia's record of 15 years and 46 days set at the Turespana Open Mediterrania in Valencia.

"I feel pretty happy. I played pretty well and tried my best. I think that's important," he said.

Hak, who was born in Hong Kong but lives near Orlando, Florida, said Garcia was one of his favorite players although his idol was Tiger Woods.

But the slight six-footer (1.8m) said he had not considered his chances of becoming Asia's version of the world number one.

Golf Practice

Daly show to make it a memorable Masters

FORMER US PGA and British Open champion John Daly has been given a late invite to next week's 30th anniversary Australian Masters - but will he remember his one previous visit to Melbourne's Huntingdale layout?

Daly, who is playing this week's Hong Kong Open, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian and European tours, contacted Masters organisers at the weekend seeking a start at the tournament.

IMG Australasian vice-president David Rollo said yesterday: "I had no hesitation in giving John a sponsor invite. He is a major winner and will add to our field."

Daly has expressed an interest in joining the European Tour, which started its 2009 schedule with last week's Singapore Open, and is looking for a swift start in the Race to Dubai, the Tour's season-long, $US10 million ($15.5m) competition which concludes with the Dubai World Championship next November.

"I've enjoyed all my previous trips to Australia," Daly said in a statement.

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Golf equipment

Jeev breaks into top 50

Jeev Milkha Singh is back among the elites again with the latest world golf rankings putting the Indian pro on the 46th place after his sensational triumph at the Singapore Open.

Jeev claimed a thrilling one-stroke victory over multiple Major winners Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els at the Singapore Open on the Asian Tour at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course on Sunday.

The Chandigarh-pro went to the last hole with a one stroke lead and his par was enough for the win as Harrington and Els missed good birdie chances on the 18th.

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Golf Swing Lessons

Woods-Obama parallel includes some pitfalls
Racial breakthroughs don't always bring progress.

Orin Starn

is a cultural anthropology professor at Duke University

It's not that far-fetched to argue that Tiger Woods' popularity helped pave the way for Barack Obama's smashing victory. That legions of golfing white businessmen already idolized Woods may well have made it less of a stretch for them and others to imagine a black man as the country's president.

For that matter, Woods, much like Obama, presents himself as something of a "post-racial" figure, crossing old color lines by virtue of his mixed ancestry.

But whether or not Woods helped some vote for Obama, the superstar golfer's effect on his sport offers a cautionary lesson about the effect of an Obama presidency: There's no necessary correlation between the feel-good symbolism of a racial breakthrough and actual, on-the-ground progress toward a race-blind America.

Many observers predicted that Woods' example would revolutionize the sociology of golf. They thought many more minority kids would be encouraged to take up the old Scottish pastime, and that the sport would shed its ugly racial past once and for all. (The Professional Golfers' Association Tour had a Caucasians-only clause until 1961.)

The golf establishment promotes its youth-golf programs with "Kumbaya"-style TV ads showing smiling inner-city kids, as if the game had indeed put the messy matters of race and money in the rearview mirror.

Golf Instructions

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Gate Drill can help your putting | Golf Tips

Adult Golf Lessons

Here is an oldie but goodie drill for putting that is making a big comeback, thanks to a company called Momentus. They make many well-made teaching aids for golfers of all abilities and ages.

This one is called the gate drill. If you don’t want to pay the $50 fee for the device itself, you can make your own for with some supplies you most likely already have.

Pictured on the left is a simple practice putting station with two golf tees and a string representing your line to the hole. On the right is the Momentus teaching aid that does the same thing.

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Gimmies take away satisfaction of making putt for birdie

Golf Swing Lessons

You're playing with your regular foursome and hit a great iron shot up onto the green with your ball landing only two feet from the hole.

What do most weekend players do next? They walk up and knock the ball away, giving themselves the putt either before or after their partner said, "that's good."

Not only did you break a rule, but you'll never know if you actually would have made the putt.

You'll forever lose the satisfaction of making a real birdie since you didn't actually putt the ball in the hole.

Golfers do this everywhere, on every course, and they're breaking the rules every time they do it.

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Golf tips from a pro

Golf Swing

There is not much movement needed to make short putts, but we often leave the green with a sour taste because we miss one too many of them. The problem is we get so caught up in mechanics, that we forget how simple they really are.

The best way to start to make more short putts is to practice them and learn to free your mind. I'm going to give you a few drills and games that you can do to improve your putting.

* Place six tees surrounding the hole, about 2 feet from the hole. Play a putt from each spot until you can make them all in a row a couple of times. Then try to make them with your eyes closed. Listen, too. Hearing the ball going in the hole will help to build your confidence.

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Golf tips: getting the kids started

It is definitely a great idea to get your kid or kids started out in this great game early and correctly.

It teaches them so many wonderful things like self control, honor, respect, teamwork, problem solving and the list goes on, and on.

Your child does not have to be the next great thing in the game, just get them started and just watch what happens.

You do not have to go to the golf course to work on this game with kids. Keep it fun, I would suggest getting them to enjoy putting first. Any decent simulated putting green will be fine.

Once they learn some basic rules and etiquette start taking them to your nearest driving range or par-three golf course to learn the full swing and how to play the game. If you are not sure of the basics yourself, get the “summary of the rules of golf” for juniors from the USGA or PGA. Your local pro can help you. Good luck and keep it simple.

Stanford Leads Lorena Ochoa Invitational

Angela Stanford shot a 6-under 66 on Friday in the second round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational to take a two-stroke lead over LPGA Championship winner Yani Tseng.

Stanford had a 10-under 134 total on the Guadalajara Country Club course. Tseng, No. 2 in the world behind Ochoa, shot her second straight 68. Ochoa followed her opening 73 with a 71 on her home course, leaving her 10 strokes back.

Meena Lee (69) was 6 under, and Karen Stupples (71) was 5 under. Annika Sorenstam (72), leaving the tour at the end of the season, was 4 under in group that included Juli Inkster (69) and Seon Hwa Lee (72).

Golf Swing

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ELS EASES INTO LEAD

Ernie Els took over at the top of the leaderboard after finishing his first round at the Barclays Singapore Open this morning with two birdies in his final three holes.

The South African trailed clubhouse leader Lam Chih Bing of Singapore by one stroke with four holes to play when darkness ended play at Sentosa Golf Club yesterday evening with half of the field yet to complete their opening rounds.

The 'Big Easy' spurned an opportunity to draw level with Lam on four under when he missed a birdie putt on the 15th with his first stroke of the day.

But birdies at the 16th and 18th saw Els card a five-under-par 66 as he moved into first place in the US dollars 5million Asian Tour event.

"I'm pleased with that," said Els. "I putted nicely and hit the ball okay.

"It's not an easy course. If you miss shots, you'll pay the price. I felt comfortable with the swing and I'm pretty pleased with the start.

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Golf Swing Tips

Golf pushes today for spot in 2016 Olympics

GENEVA | Leaders of several sports, including golf, will present their cases today to the International Olympic Committee, hoping for inclusion in the 2016 Summer Games.

Besides golf, officials from baseball, softball, karate, roller sports, rugby and squash also will meet the 16-member program commission, which will deliver an influential report to the IOC's top decision- making body before the vote by IOC members in October.

The IOC will field 28 sports at the 2016 Olympics, allowing two sports to be added.

Each sport has a one-hour slot, with baseball making the first pitch in the closed-door presentations in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The case for golf, last played at the Olympics in 1904, will be presented by the International Golf Federation. It's led by PGA executive Ty Votaw and Peter Dawson of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland.

Break 80 Golf

Golf Course

This golfing gear keeps you out of the rough

It's always golf season somewhere, so these goodies will always have a place in your bag:

1: This "Spectator" argyle vest is a golf fashion classic.

2: Golf belt by Ame & Lulu has space to carry three tees.

3: Adidas women's Torsion Euro II golf shoes have a two-year waterproof warranty. $110 at

4: Kali hybrid head cover and bamboo pink absorbent towel. $14.99 each at Golf Galaxy stores or

5: If you can't wait for the 19th hole, take along the Lolita Purse Party, a four-ounce flask and a one-ounce martini glass.

Crystal Announces Its First-Ever Asia Golf Itinerary

Luxury specialist Crystal Cruises is expanding its "Experiences of Discovery" Golf theme cruises into Asia, giving golf enthusiasts the rare opportunity to play at four world-renowned courses in Thailand and Vietnam. Guests will be able to sharpen their skills on board and ashore with instruction from a guest celebrity golfer and PGA golf pro. Crystal Symphony's 11-day itinerary from Hong Kong to Singapore offers a roster of onboard lectures, clinics, contests and events, including the chance to win a free Crystal cruise.

Every detail of the Crystal Golf Program is arranged in six-star fashion, from onboard practice with TaylorMade equipment -- the No. 1 driver on the PGA Tour -- to cocktails, caddy and cart service on the greens. Complimentary cleaning and storage of golf clubs and golf shoes will be offered after each round.

Courses include:
* Vietnam Golf & Country Club, Ho Chi Minh City -- The country's first
36-hole golf club, widely regarded as the premier club in Vietnam;
* Burapha Golf, Bangkok -- A 36-hole championship course set amid lakes,
hills and tropical vegetation;
* Laem Chabang International Country Club, Bangkok -- Three distinct
nines: The Lakes, Mountain and Valley courses, each offering its
one-of-kind challenges, and
* Montgomerie, Da Nang, Vietnam -- Asia's first "Montgomerie"
branded golf set against the Marble Mountains and China Beach
coast.

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Couple takes shot at golf apparel, lessons

Tyler and Kelly Kangas invested about $200,000 to open Alternate Golf Shot at 4680 Cooper Road.

Co-owner Kelly Kangas says the 3,500-square-foot business will sell golf apparel for men, women and children. The apparel as well as golf shoes run from $40 to $350.

The store also sells name-brand equipment for all ages, including golf clubs, bags, travel bags, balls, gloves, caps and more. Those items can sell for $10 to $1,200.

The store includes a golf simulator that allows a person to play a virtual 18-hole round of golf on courses from around the world, including Pebble Beach and St. Andrews.

The golf simulator also can be used for game improvement, club fittings and video lessons.

Tyler Kangas, a professional golfer for 20 years, teaches 45-minute golf lessons that run $30-$55 for adults and $15-$35 for children.

Golf Swing Lessons

PGA and LPGA Professionals to offer help during PGA Free Lesson Month

People across the United States have an opportunity to improve their golf game throughout the month of May by participating in Play Golf America's PGA Free Lesson Month.

As a part of the 11th annual event, thousands of PGA and LPGA Professionals at golf facilities across the nation will offer free, 10-minute golf lessons to new and existing golfers of all ages and skill levels. Launched in 1998 by The PGA of America and Golf Digest, PGA Free Lesson Month has provided more than 820,000 personal sessions for player development throughout the past 10 years.

Play Golf America's PGA Free Lesson Month is designed to bring new people to the sport and help existing golfers improve their game with free instruction. Consumers can find updated lists of participating PGA and LPGA Professionals nearby by entering their zip code at PlayGolfAmerica.com.

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