Junior Golf Clubs: How Small Should A Child Be To Use Them?

There are two ways to outfit a youngster who is just starting to play golf. You can either pass down the Parent’s clubs as is, cut them down to fit, or buy junior sized clubs. Either method can work just fine, depending upon how old the child is and his or her size.

Two important points must be kept in mind: First, a child should start with clubs that he can manage easily. Otherwise, he will have trouble learning a basic, rhythmic golf swing. Second, he should start using adult clubs, which are cut down, as soon as he can handle them.

If the child is 10 years or younger, he should definitely be using junior clubs. They are very light, short, and balance to fit a young child this age. These clubs should be the ones he learns the fundamentals of golf with.

As soon as he shows some proficiency with these clubs, the child should start swinging adult clubs that are cut down to fit his height. This will probably happen around age 12. Once he has mastered the cut-down clubs and grows a little bit taller, adult clubs will be the next investment.

Every golf shot combines two basic elements: One is judging distance and the effects of the terrain and wind on the ball. The other is a complete execution of your swing. When it comes to putting, the mental calculations count more for for this shot than any other shot you will make.

Putt shots will also prove to be more difficult as well, but there are ways to help yourself.

Many golfers simply pace the distance to the cup. Instead of this common practice, try to just stand over the ball and look at the line to the hole, while at the same time measuring the distance in 5 or 10 foot intervals. Then check the texture of the grass and remember this last important tip: Take notice of which direction the grass is growing!

You obviously do not have to hit a putt as hard when the grass is growing towards the hole, as opposed of growing towards you, but the grain can be a little difficult to see unless you look closely. So take a moment and use the direction of the grass growth as a gauge to aid in how much power you need (or less) in your putt.

In most discussions of the golf grip, excessive attention is paid to how many knuckles should be visible or which eyeball the

The Secret To Having The Best Lie

When you have the opportunity for a perfect lie, why give yourself a mediocre one? I ask this question to myself every time I’m on the golf course and I see golfers, some good and some bad, hitting a tee shot on a par-3 hole without ever teeing up the ball.

These golfers just drop the ball and then roll it around with the end of their club until they

When a golfer makes a bad shot, you never really hear the excuse

A common predicament on the golf course places you about 100 yards from the green but an annoying, low hanging tree branch is right in front of you some 10 to 15 yards away, keeping you from hitting your normal 9-iron approach.

Instead of grabbing a saw and shopping the branch down, as we would all like to do, the solution is a shot that will carry no farther than a 9-iron, but start off with the trajectory of a 7-iron.

Either one of these clubs can be used.

The 7-iron can be used so long as you’re choking down on the grip and then hitting the ball as normal as possible. The 9-iron will work just fine as well, which I prefer to use in such a circumstance, so long as swing adjustments are made, as follows:

You have to shut the face of the club, move the ball back toward the middle of the stance, and keep your hands ahead of the ball. The effect is a reduced loft of the iron.

And finally, place all of your weight on the left side and keep it that way throughout the entire swing. The result should be a solid 9-iron shot that takes off low to the ground and shoots right under the tree branch.

Sometimes life gets in the way of getting yourself to the golf course. And with limited time to warm up on the practice green due to arriving late, it’s best to just have some fun and roll out as many putts as possible with another partner.

Try this fun warm-up game:

1) Both you and your partner grab a golf ball.

2) Select 2 holes on the practice green that are cut about ten to fifteen feet apart.

3) Position yourself to the side of one hole while your partner stands at the other. Keep your ball between your feet and the hole closest to you.

4) At the same time (or quickly alternating shots with your partner), putt to the opposite hole.

5) When the ball arrives at or in your hole, grab it up and putt it into the other hole.

6) The first one to sink six putts wins the warm-up game. Switch sides and continue the game until it is time for your round.

Stretching For Golf: “Back” To Basics

There is no greater stress handled by the body during golf than the muscles of your back. With all of the twisting that a proper golf swing requires, you must spend just a few minutes to warm up the area with the following routine:

1) Grab a short club and put it behind your back and across your body. Thread it through the crooks of your bent elbows.

2) Assume your golf stance as if you’re standing over the ball. Keep some flex in your knees, with a straight spine and your butt stuck a bit out.

3) Now mimic your backswing with your upper body by making a level turn back, and hold it. Feel that motion and that weight on your back hip. Your belt buckle should point directly to your right (for right handed golfers). Hold that position for approximately ten seconds.

4) Turn back the other way, up off your back side and onto your front, into your follow-through as you normally finish your swing. Hold that position for ten seconds as well.

5) Repeat the exercise several times, moving slowly and holding at both ends.

Before you hit the driving range, practice green, or the golf course for a round, you need to stretch your leg muscles. You use these muscles all throughout your practice sessions and real golf games.

Getting The Legs Ready

Your legs, which include the ankles and feet, are very important to a good golf swing. Your legs are the base which provides foundation, balance, and power. When you step out of your cart or before you stroll over to the practice tee or the green, stretch those hamstrings!

The hamstrings are the most powerful muscles in the legs when it comes to playing golf. They are the muscles most featured in the swing. Simply put your heel on the back of the cart, and slowly lean forward to grab your toe with the opposite hand.

WARNING: Do not hurt yourself! If you cannot reach your toe then stretch as far as you can go without pain.

You should feel your hamstring on the back of the stretched leg. Hold still and count to ten, then repeat the stretch with your other leg. Go back and forth several times until both legs feel loose and limber.

There are many ways to improve your golf game, but one of the most overlooked strategies that can have an immediate positive effect are quick stretching routines.

A great way to warm up the muscles of your chest and back before playing golf, with a little extra work for the arms, is the following simple routine:

1) Hold the shortest club in your bag (putter or sand wedge) between your palms at arms’ length in front of your body, applying pressure on the ends of the grip and blade.

2) Keeping your left arm firm and straight, with a little resistance, push the club with your right hand toward the left side of your body, rotating the back of your shoulder blades.

Note: This stretches out your biceps and shoulders. Hold this position for at least ten seconds.

3) Do this pushing exercise at least two to three times in each direction for maximum results.