When you think about it, golf is one of the most well -mannered sports in the world. Nobody is ever going to see Tiger Woods hipcheck one of his opponents on the fifth hole. Greg Norman probably never ran after anyone with his club held over his head. Nobody gets called any variety of body part or farm animal just as they bend their head to tee up. The game is quiet, almost tranquil, without the finger pointing, name calling or chair swinging of other sports. Even for the beginning golfer, learning golf etiquette is just as important as learning the other rules and scoring is.

One of the most basic etiquette rules begins before you even tee up that very first shot. Find out about the dress code of the course that you are playing at, and try to adhere to it as closely as possible. Make sure that you know what kind of shoes you should be wearing cleated or not. If you are using a golf cart, make sure that you park far enough away that you will not impede other golfers, or better yet, walk the course.  Next, you should know that during each player’s tee shot, there is no talking to allow for supreme concentration.  Don’t stand in someone’s line of vision, and leave your cell phone at the clubhouse or set it to vibrate.

Pay attention to the game, even when it is not your turn, and be ready to play when it is your turn. Nobody wants to have to keep reminding an adult that it is their turn, nor do they want to stand around and wait while you get yourself situated and ready to go. You should be lining up your next shot, going over what you would like to do before you ever walk up to the tee.
Know who will play first, and the subsequent order thereafter for each hole. In most cases, the first player on a new hole is the one who had the lowest score on the last one. Of course, if there is a tie, then whoever had the lowest on the previous hole to that one is first.

Make sure that you know where everybody is, including all others who might be on the course around you. Not only do you have to see where your own group is, take a look around before rearing back and taking your swing. Also, be aware of the speed with which your group is playing. Are the folks behind you ready to declare war on you? If you are playing at a slightly slower speed than the group behind you, invite them to go ahead and play through to avoid holding them up unduly. In the same respect, if you find that you are behind a slower group, and they have not invited you to play through, then you should remain calm and polite without any semblance of trying to rush or hurry them.

And finally, do not tear up the course without making an effort at repairing the divots. Do not leave trash behind, nor allow any member of your group to do so. Be a responsible golfer.

There are resorts in nearly every corner of the world, focusing on nearly every sport, activity and hobby. Golf is one of the world’s most popular sports, with players taking up the sport in record numbers each and every single year. Golf resorts can be found nearly anywhere you could imagine, and offer vacations suitable for golfers at every level of the game.

Resorts can offer varying amenities, from the golf only resorts that have ties to nearby, local hotels all the way to the all-inclusive golf resorts that feature their own hotels, usually within walking distance to the first tee. For these inclusive resorts, there may be more of demand, especially in the more tropical areas of the world, so make sure you book your trip early enough to avoid disappointment. If an all-inclusive resort it out of your price range, however, you can select a hotel relatively close to the course you would like to play and then make some compromises. The goal is to goal in a tropical locale, right? Of course, some courses are not public, so before you make plans that are not for an all-inclusive resort, find out if there are courses available for play.

Make sure that you pack well for your trip, even if heading to an all-inclusive resort. The prices for sunblock and other necessities can be triple or higher what you would expect, so plan ahead. Also make sure that you know what kind of clothing is acceptable or necessary for different activities. Some of the golf courses will require certain outfits for both male and female golfers, as well as formal wear for the evening meals. Your travel agent can answer any questions that you might have. If you have planned and booked this trip entirely on your own to reduce cost, then a quick email to the resort itself is warranted. If it is a question of what to bring or what you will be expected to wear, the staff will be more than happy to assist you. If not, you might want to reconsider your trip to this resort.

Finally, take advantage of all of the golf amenities that are offered at the resort. If there are lessons for instance, sign up for them. Who could not afford to improve their swing and therefore, their golf game? Unless you are Tiger Woods, you could use the extra help.

For golf accommodation in Spain check out the apartments on the famous Mijas Golf course near Fuengirola

If price is not an issue, you can specify each individual part of your club, ending up with a custom built set. Of course, there is a cheaper option to this concept as well, buying each part yourself and putting the club together yourself, one of the cheapest ways for the average golfer to end up with custom made clubs. If building your own does not sound like something you are interested in, and you cannot afford the custom built option, you can buy readymade clubs which will suit you well, that is, if you make sure that you have them properly fitted.

The first step to getting properly fitted golf clubs should be to consult a professional. Check with the golf pro at the course you play most often if there is one. If not, check online for where the nearest Professional Golfer’s Association is located and check with them for advice. (Be aware that in most cases, club fitting is not free nor is it usually cheap, so check to see if it is in your price range.)

The shaft length of your club will not be determined simply by your height. Tall players might have shorter arms, or shorter players might have longer arms, or the actual golf stance that you take before your swing might change your needs dramatically. In these cases, a fitting might actually be the only way to properly fit your clubs, despite the expense.

Your grip size is determined by your hand size, as well as the faults that you would like to correct with your swing. If you are a slicer, smaller clubs will make you work your hands faster. If you hook the ball, instead, bigger grips will slow down your hand action, reducing the amount of the hook. Grips come in different types of materials as well as the various sizes, which material you use should be determined by how often you play, the weather conditions that you play in most frequently and what kind of work you want to put into maintaining these grips. Leather for instance, is expensive and requires a lot of effort to maintain. All-rubber is better for the beginner through intermediate players, is easy on the hands and can be changed whenever necessary. (It is recommended that your rubber grips be changed at least once a year if you play once per week or more.)

Fitting your clubs should be a fairly lengthy process. You do not want to just walk in and grab the first golf clubs that you find. This is an investment, even if you plan to upgrade within the next year or so, so make sure that they fit you well.

What you wear to play a round of golf will depend on where you go. The more exclusive the club you go to, the more restrictive the dress code will be. Some clubs will only allow certain types of shoes, for instance, while others will only allow certain colors to be worn. It is well worth your time to know the rules of your club before you even load your clubs to avoid either looking foolish or being turned away for having on improper attire. For the public courses, the dress codes are usually a little more lenient.

In the old days, the uniform of the golfer was stiff and itchy wool, year round, with very little breathability and ease of movement. And, back then, it was even worse for the few women that played the game; they were forced to wear full skirts, blouses right up to their chins and big hats. No wonder golf took so long to catch on with the general public! Now, there are better materials, with better breathability and comfort. Closer cut clothing allows for better range of movement, and better overall swing.

Golf can be expensive enough without adding the clothing into the mix. Do not get caught up in dressing a certain way if it is really not necessary to do so. If there is not a rule in place forcing you to do so, do not feel compelled to buy a lot of “golf pants” or other related wear. Pay attention to the other golfers and get a general idea of what everybody is wearing. This will give you an idea of what is acceptable and standard at this course. Wear the clothing that fits your body, your budget and your personal tastes. Keep in mind several things however:

1) Cotton is one of the best materials for summer month play. It is breathable, soft and will protect against chafing, while allowing for sweat evaporation.

2) Lighter colors reflect more of the sun’s light, thus keeping you cooler as well.

3) If you can afford it, there are tops that are treated to block the sun’s rays as well as to discourage flying pests.

4) Keep fit in mind as well: too tight and you will not be comfortable, and risk skin breakdown. Too loose and you might impede your own play.

Wear what looks good, fits well and makes you feel like a golfer.

You just had your best round of golf ever. You high five everyone on the way to the locker-room, you quickly shower and change clothing, toss your gear into your trunk and head out. You make a quick stop at the store and pick up a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk and then return home. You come in, put the groceries away and then fall into your recliner chair and take what you think is a well-earned nap. An hour later, you wake and begin to stand up, only to realize that you are so sore you can barely move. Thinking back, you try to figure out what could have caused this amount of pain, and wonder- could this be from golf?

If you did not stretch after golf, the likelihood is very likely. For your next golf game, make sure that you stretch before hand to prevent injuries during, and then keep in mind some exercises for afterward for the same reason. These should not be full on, heavy-duty exercises, you did just play golf after all, but should stretch and release the lactic acid that builds in your muscles when they work hard. Don’t let anyone tell you differently, golf is hard work and you will feel it if you do not take the necessary precautions.

If you have a regular yoga practice, you can use that as your post-golf exercise routine, but it you do not, then you can use some very simple stretches and moderate yoga poses to relax and release your most worked muscles.

To release tension and muscle strain in your shoulders and upper back:
Downward facing dog:  Long considered one of the very best shoulder stretches in yoga, down dog is easy to learn and feels amazing once you master it. Start with your feet about shoulder’s width apart, and place the palms of your hand on the floor, under your shoulders. If you have tight hamstrings, you will have to modify by either using a pillow beneath your hand, or by bending your knees slightly. Your aim will be to be in the pose with straight legs. Keep your breath even and natural, and imagine your tailbone pointing toward the ceiling. To come back out of the pose, walk your hands back toward your legs and then straighten up.

To release your hamstrings and upper thighs:
Lie on your back and bend your left knee. Cross your right leg over the left knee and then slide your hands around the bent knee- your legs should resemble a figure four. Pull your bent knee toward your chest until you feel the stretch, stopping before there is any sensation of pain. Hold for several seconds, and then release and switch legs.

To release your calf muscles:
Step up on a ledge or the edge of a rolled towel, or small pillow. Come way up onto your toes and hold, feeling the calf muscles contract fully. Hold the position for several seconds and then release, feeling those muscles relax. Repeat several times.

To release your ankles:
Sit on a chair, sliding forward until your feet can plant firmly and flatly on the ground. Using a tennis ball, roll the ball under your right foot, drawing each letter of the alphabet on the floor. Repeat with left foot. (This will also work your feet and feels terrific.)

One final lower body stretch:

Sit on your bottom, placing the soles of your feet together in front of you. Holding onto the outer edge of your feet with the palms of your hands, imagine that your legs are the wings of a graceful butterfly, and flap up and down several times. Do not concern yourself with how big the movement is, nor with how close to the ground you can get your legs at first. Eventually, you will be able to get your legs flat to the floor without strain or pain. Do not force it, just let your body work itself into it slowly.

Have you ever seen a pitcher come to the mound, fresh from the dugout without taking a single second to stretch and warm-up? No, you have not. And hopefully you do not see a golfer coming straight out of the clubhouse and teeing up in the same way. More importantly, let’s hope that is not your usual practice. Golf is a sport, just like baseball, tennis or football and the same concepts apply: you have to be fit, and you have to warm up before you get started. Unless you want your first round of golf to be your last round as well, make sure that you stretch your muscles and do an adequate warm-up before blasting that first ball. It is also in your best interest to understand a little bit about what golf can do to your body, and what body parts are most important to your golf game.

Most golfers know that they will be using their upper bodies during their swing, and their lower bodies between each shot, but they may forget that their abdominal region is one of the most important factors of their game. A strong core will give you balance and power for your swing, but will also protect your lower back during the actual swinging action. The weaker your core is allowed to become, the more potential risk there is for back injuries, sometimes serious enough to keep you not only off the links, but off of your feet for days.

Consider yoga as part of your golf game. Keeping your back and shoulders loose and limber will help your swing not only to be strong, but safe as well. Some yoga programs can be modified and adapted for specific sports and are well worth looking into. Also do some strength training, especially those moves that target your shoulders, upper back, biceps, triceps and forearm muscles. Along with working with weights, make sure that you are doing some flexibility moves as well. Follow your new routine at least three times per week, adding more as you increase your strength and flexibility. As always, make sure you consult your doctor before beginning any fitness routine.

There are many programs available, either on video, in books or on the Web, so make sure to find the right one for you and stick to it. Learn each of the stretches and do them in a mirror to make sure that you are keeping to proper alignment and form. Do each of the stretches for the recommended amount of time, but keep in mind that stretches should not be painful. If there is any pain, back off of the stretch and consider whether you were doing the move correctly, or trying to go too far with the stretch before your muscles are warmed properly. Remember golf is supposed to be a fun way to maintain your fitness, but nothing is enjoyable if it leaves you injured. Take the extra time to stretch and warm-up properly, so that you can enjoy your game and play to the best of your own ability.

You buy the finest clubs, custom sized to fit your frame and swing style. You have an Italian leather golf bag, and always wear the latest golf fashions. Every holiday, birthday and other gift giving occasion is a time for your family to buy you some golf related accessory or doodad, but what about the most important part of your golf game? Of course, that is your own body. The best clubs, tees and clothes will do you no good at all if you are not healthy enough to pick your golf bag up and get out the door.

No matter what kind of golfer you are, from beginner to advance, you must be physically fit to play. Of course, that is true no matter what sport you play. Golf can be a major danger to your shoulders, hips and lower back if you are improperly conditioned. Make sure that you are physically ready to head out for the course, and consider sticking to nine holes of golf until you are stronger and in better shape.

So, what exercises should you perform to not only keep you healthy and strong, but to help with your golf game as well? Keep in mind the main muscle groups worked during a round of golf and that will give you a basic idea. Also plan to do exercises to build your stamina/endurance, as well as to strengthen your cardiovascular system as well. You are already well aware that there is a lot of walking involved in a golf game- so start there. Make sure that you are logging time either on the treadmill or better yet, in the fresh air of nature. Aim to work yourself up to at least five miles per walking session, but build slowly. If you can handle a five-mile walk with relative ease, then either add distance, hills or speed to the walk. Keeping your heart strong is very important.

Strength training is important as well, not only to keep your weight down, (muscle has a higher metabolism than fat) but also to protect the body parts that you use during your golf game. You know that you use your shoulder and other upper body muscles during your swing, but your core and leg muscles come into play as well. Do not focus just on your upper body; you need to work every muscle group in your body to keep yourself in good golfing condition. Do not automatically assume that you need to need to heft super heavy weights to properly work your muscle groups, some of the smaller working muscles can become nicely conditioned with lower weights, lifted at higher reps.

Along with cardio and strength work, you must make sure to work your abdominal muscles as well. Your core gives you balance and stabilization during your stance, your swing and your follow through. A strong, well-toned core will also protect your lower back from injury.

Finally, consider adding stretching and flexibility exercises to your golf fitness routine. Stretching will warm your muscles up before golfing, and can be used to release any tension and built up lactic acid in your muscles after your round is complete. Flexible muscles are less prone to overstretching and injury and will also help with stability and movement.

Personally my biggest challenge is club selection as I have yet to accurately work out how far I still have to go, which makes club selection a challenge to say the least.

It’s pointless knowing how far you can hit with a certain club if you don’t know the distance you have to hit!

So the Leupold GX-II Golf Rangefinder is a boon as it not only tells you how far you have to go, it will also recommend which club to select!

For February 2010 you can get a 10% discount by using the code “TEEITUP10” at the checkout. Expires 02/28/2010, don’t use the quote marks.

The Leupold GX-II is the only golf rangefinder to provide accurate ranging information that matches your personal striking distances to the slope of the shot and current atmospheric conditions.

The True Golf Range feature uses sophisticated, algorithmic based software, in addition to temperature and altitude inputs, to tell you exactly how for you should play a shot.

Taking the TGR function a step further, the Club Selector automatically recommends the appropriate club for each shot, even indicating when the distance falls between clubs. Simply input the striking distance for 3 specific clubs and the GX-II will do the rest.

The GX has scan mode when you want multiple readings in one quick sweep. Just hold down the power button and the display will continuously update with accurate line-of-site measurements.

PinHunter Technology:
Try ranging a pin or fluttering flag from over 300 yards away! It’s not a problem for a GX golf rangefinder from one of the most premier range finder manufactures Leupold. When it comes to hunting down and ranging the pin, Leupold has a wealth of knowledge and experience. For the last century Leupold has been building precision optics for the most demanding of recreational, military, and commercial uses.

Every GX golf rangefinder has been precisely calibrated to fire a laser beam exactly at the target in the crosshairs. The proprietary beam geometry improves laser returns from the pin and the advanced GX ii software accurately separates those returns from objects in the background. You can be sure the results you receive from the GX are the most precise available from any golf rangefinder on the market.

TGR Technology:
The TGR feature of the GX-II uses sophisticated, algorithmic based software, in addition to temperature altitude inputs, to tell you exactly how far you should play a shot. The GX-II takes into account how you hit the ball and determines what club you should use to break through the horizontal line at 170 yards, continuing downward to fall at the pin at 183 yards

Buy Now:
Leupold GX-II Golf Rangefinder

The irons are still considered to be forgiving and like every model in the Excel series they are designed for great feel, weight, and reduced twist. The perimeter weighting system on the club is designed to move the weight where its needed the most creating a club head that provides maximum forgiveness throughout the entire club face. From the golf maven to the newcomer, expect to feel a pure shot on every swing with these versatile irons as they help improve your game.

• Built standard with high quality Pinemeadow steel shaft from Apollo®, a 125 gram shaft with a low to mid kick point.
• Also available with a standard low-torque Pinemeadow Graphite Shaft for only $7.50 per shaft.

The comparison most often used with these clubs is the Mens/Right Callaway X-18 Irons 4-PW,SW which cost on average a hundred bucks more per set, which is a significant amount that you could use on other equipment that you need.

These irons receive good reviews for playability and value for money, with many users being happy to consider more clubs from the same manufacturer when replacement time comes.

One reviewer wrote:

J. P. rated this product on 09/03/08 First and foremost, I’m coming back from an 8 year or so hiatus from playing golf – I used to be somewhere around an 8-10 handicap at my consistent best, but I’m just getting back to into the game. My last set of irons while I was still playing regularly were Ping Zing II’s.

I’ve waited for about a month and a half before reviewing these clubs, but given the amount of play that I’ve put in during that amount of time, I feel prepared to give an honest review. Should something happen down the road that should conflict with something I’ve stated here, I’ll provide an update.

I placed my order online, and was called that same day by Clark to confirm my details. I used the online club fitting system and cross referenced my results with a couple of other sources, ultimately deciding the fitting was accurate enough to get me started. I ordered the Pinemeadow Excel Mid Launch irons (I felt the Excel Strong were a bit too large and te trajectory concerned me), had the shafts extended by 1/2 inch, upgraded to the TT Lite shafts, and added the Winn Classic Grips.

Construction began on my clubs that same day and the entire set 3-SW was ship confirmed the following business day. Because I live in Charlotte, NC, the UPS transit time was a bit longer than most geographies – I went to a used clubfitter and purchased a slightly used Callaway X-18 6 iron (for 15 bucks or so) to tide me over in the interim, and to get my game back on track at the range. In hindsight, this was a great move because I was able to make an apples to apples comparison between the design, feel, and playability of the generic irons verus Callaway’s real deal X-18’s. So all of this long windedness, and what you’re really concerned with is my assessment.

From the moment I took the clubs out of the box, I felt amazed at how light and balanced these clubs felt. In comparing these irons to the actual X-18’s, they are indeed lighter (probably the TT Lite shafts), and the Winn Grips only make them feel that much better – definitely worth the upgrade. Despite feeling really light, the clubs don’t feel cheap. I ultimately selected these irons over the Excel Strong as I traditionally have a higher than average trajectory, and that has proven to be an asset to my game.

In examining the irons versus the X-18’s, the details are similar but not exactly the same. Looks however don’t transcend feel, and I’m confident in saying that the Callaway X-18 6 iron will continue to sit in my garage. I did have some concerns about reliability, but the clubs have fared well thus far, and even after repairing a loose nameplate with epoxy, Clark offered to address any future issues should I have any. Customer support hasn’t been and doesn’t appear like it will be an issue for Pinemeadow as they stand behind their product.

Kudos to Pinemeadow on developing an incredible product at a fair price.

Click Here For Further Information: Pinemeadow Excel Mid Launch Plus Irons