Many left handed golfers do actually go on to buy their own clubs that are the correct style for them but some still carry on with the right handed clubs based on the fact that they have been playing too long with them and do not want to learn how to play golf all over again with left handed clubs. Naturally, this does mean that they will not ever be quite as good a golfer as they could become with the right (in this case left handed) clubs. When people search for left handed golf tips they have already embraced the most important tip for a left handed golfer and that is to play the game of golf using their natural swing with left handed golf clubs.

One of the best left-handed golf tips for beginners is to be careful when choosing your clubs. When you are left handed there is a much more limited choice available to you, especially if you are shopping at a small local golf shop or club. But rather than taking a set of golf clubs that you are not happy with, you would be better off waiting for a while until you have the opportunity to travel to a larger shop with a more comprehensive selection of clubs and golf equipment to choose from. The other option if you are nowhere near a golf equipment or sporting goods store with a good selection of clubs is to buy them by mail order.

There are two ways of doing this, you can either get a catalog and order your clubs that way or you could go to one of the online golf stores that have a good selection of equipment and everything that the left handed golfer could want or need I order to successfully play the game of golf. Of course, one of the best ways for a left handed golfer to learn how to correctly play and also receive some quality left handed golf tips is by taking lessons from a left handed golf pro. Some right-handed pros have a tough time when trying to teach left handed players and if you can swing it taking lessons from another left handed golfer is a much better idea and will significantly improve your golfing skills and game. With the right (left handed) clubs and good tuition there is every chance that your game will steadily get better and you will enjoy it even more.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Golf-Swing-Improvement.com. He provides more golf swing tips, putting tips and more information on left handed golf tips that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

So it was surprising to read that Stuart Appleby was using a Fujikura Six in his driver. His clubs were profiled in one of Golf Digest’s What’s in My Bag features.

The Fujikura Six is a 55 gram shaft with about 4.5* of torque. Not many club fitters would put a player like Appleby in that shaft. You might have even toyed with the idea of using a super light, but just couldn’t bring yourself to try one.

Last year Appleby averaged a little over 300 yards per drive. And that gets your attention. I was already using fairly light driver shafts, so I started experimenting with super lights to see if there was something to it.

Super light shafts do work… if you pick the right flex…

I already knew that very light shafts play softer than advertised flex, so I decided to keep going up in flex to see what would happen.

I didn’t use a Fujikura Six, but did try an MCC/Apache MFS 50+. After dialing in the flex I was able to add some distance instantly. Another benefit? There was no drop off in accuracy.

So, exactly what do you have to do to make a super light work?

Well, besides using a stiffer flex, boosting your driver’s swingweight so you can feel the clubhead is critical. You don’t need a very heavy shaft to maintain stability, but you do need to feel the clubhead during the swing if you want to stay in the short grass.

The only downside? You won’t be playing these shafts at shorter lengths. They’re simply too light. If you struggle with accuracy, go with a heavier shaft at a shorter length for control. Otherwise, give one a whirl and see if you don’t pick up a few extra yards.

Now, here’s another shaft type better players seem to stay away from.

.350 tip driver shafts – only for mid to high handicappers?

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between the drivers tour pros use, as opposed to what you usually play?

Aside from the fact that tour vans customize clubs for pros under contract, there is one thing many manufacturers do that separates the “consumer” product from the “tour preferred” kind.

If you check out a lot of stock, off-the-rack drivers, and TaylorMade is a good example of this, you’ll notice that they use .350 tip shafts, instead of the smaller .335 tip shafts.

Look carefully at their different driver models, and you’ll discover that their “Tour Issue”, or “Tour Preferred” drivers are designed to be used with .335 tip shafts.

A lot of better players turn their noses up at .350 tip shafts and won’t play them. There are a couple of reasons they feel this way:

First, few if any tour pros use them. The claim is that .335 tip shafts deliver better feel with more responsiveness.

Second, manufacturers use them in their consumer products because they’re more rugged and cut down on breakage and returns. That is true. I’ve noticed they do hold up better with fast swing speed players.

After working with these shafts for a while, I’ve found no evidence to support the claim that .335 tip shafts feel better.

More importantly? I’ve noticed that low handicappers can’t distinguish between .350 tip versus .335 tip shafts in the same drivers. They feel virtually the same. The only negligible difference? The .350 tip shaft may play a hair stiffer.

The take-away message? Don’t always wait for tour pros to start using a product before you try something new yourself. They’re notorious for being late adopters, and are reluctant to make changes in their set makeup.

A little experimentation is a good thing. At the end of the day? You’re the only one who’s going to know what equipment works best for your game.

Ken Lopez writes articles for Pure Impact Custom Golf. Have questions on custom golf clubs? You can get answers here: http://www.pureimpactgolf.com/golf/default.asp

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

About the Author

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com

Unfortunately many amateur golfers are unsure of the exact definition of core training and the relevance it may or may not have on a golf fitness program. The core is a reference to an anatomical area of body. The core is the anatomical area of your body from above the knees to below the chest. It includes all the muscles, nerves, and bones within in this anatomical region of the body. It must also be noted that the core includes all the neuromuscular structures on the front, side, and back of your body. For example, your lower back muscles are a part of the core as are your abdominals.

Core training is an integral part of a comprehensive golf fitness program because this is the anatomical area of the body where the majority of the golf swing occurs. For example, the golf swing requires you to rotate around a fixed spine angle. The majority of muscles allowing rotation to occur around a fixed spine angle are found within the core region. The golf swing requires a full shoulder turn to execute correctly. The muscles allowing the shoulders to rotate are mostly found within the core region of the body. These are just a few examples providing a reference between the biomechanics of the golf swing and the core region of the body.

Understanding the connection between the biomechanics of the golf swing and the core should begin to shine some light on why core training can be beneficial to the golf swing. Overall, the golf swing requires certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to execute correctly. If the body lacks the required levels within these physical components the golf swing will be difficult to execute correctly. Knowing that a large portion of the movements in the golf swing occur within the core region, it becomes obvious developing these physical components become necessary in order to improve your golf swing.

The key component of core training in relation to the golf swing centers upon the principle of cross-specificity training. Cross-specificity training implies the exercises within the core program train the body to the positions, movements, and requirements of the sport. A core training program beneficial to the golf swing must train the body specifically for the anatomical positions, movements, and actions encountered on the golf course.

The goal of cross-specific core program is to develop a transfer of training effect. The majority of fitness programs and many core programs do not address the needs of the golfer relative to improving flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power. A cross-specific core program will provide the foundation for a better golf swing. Just because a program is labeled a “core program” does not necessarily mean it will be beneficial to improving the golf swing.

Once the golfer understands the concepts of cross-specific training, transfer of training effect, core, and the biomechanics of the golf swing. You can begin to piece together the components of a golf fitness program. Outside of providing the foundation for the golf swing through providing the golfer with the needed levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to efficiently execute the golf swing. A golf fitness program can also improve a golfer’s swing.

One common area of desired improvement for most any golfer is increased distance. Increased distance in the golf swing is equated to increased clubhead speed. And increased clubhead speed is directly related to the golfer’s power outputs. Increasing power within the golf swing is connected to both swing mechanics and the body. The coiling and uncoiling within the golf swing directly affects the power outputs generated. In addition the body has a direct affect upon power development in the golf swing. Power in relation to the body can be defined as the ability of the body to create the greatest amount of force in a short amount of time.

If the golfer increases the ability of the body to generate more force, what will be the result within the golf swing? The golfer is more powerful, an increase in clubhead speed will occur, and the golf ball will probably travel farther. Interestingly enough improving power outputs by the body in relation to the golf swing, centers upon developing greater power outputs by the core region. Again, the golf swing is a rotational movement centering in the core region of the body. Increasing the force outputs of the muscles in the core can invariably improve the power in your golf swing. This again is only one example of where core training and golf fitness can improve the golf swing. Many additional areas of improvement can occur when the golfer develops the body correctly for the golf swing.

Understand the biomechanics of the golf swing require certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to execute correctly. The golfer requires minimal levels of these physical components at the very least to execute the golf swing correctly. The core is an anatomical region of the body where much of the movements within the golf swing occur. A core training program can be beneficial to improving the golf swing if the exercises within the program are cross-specific to the movements, positions, and physical requirements of the golf swing. If the core program is not cross specific to the golf swing, the benefits may less than optimal. Realize a comprehensive golf fitness program includes core training to develop the body around the golf swing. Such a program can improve the golf swing in areas like clubhead speed. And remember just because a program is labeled “core” does not necessarily mean it will improve your golf swing. The exercises within the core program must correlate with the movements of the golf swing.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters, 2005 PGA, and 2006 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

Wow has that changed! Today the number of major club making manufacturers has exploded, you can buy custom made clubs, you can buy brand name mass produced clubs fitted exactly to your swing, you can buy clones or knockoffs of those mass produced brands, you can buy build it yourself components that will match the specifications and quality of any thing offered by the major manufacturers.

One of the biggest changes has been in “woods”, first they are almost all made of metal or composite material today, why they are still called “woods” is anybody’s guess. Just 20 years ago traditional wood drivers of about 200CC’s volume were still in most golf bags, today’s high performance driver pushes 460CC’s in volume, is made of titanium or a blend of titanium and some exotic composite material, a graphite shaft, adjustable or changeable weight plugs that are purported to influence ball flight patterns and cost upwards of $700.00 for a major brand name. And of course golfers being the ego maniacs that we are have to have the best, most high tech driver in the bag. Fairway woods (also metal) have not grown as much in size, however there are different face heights, weight plug options, and many shaft and grip choices.

Irons are now oversized, mid-sized, cavity backed cast, forged, milled, offset, sling backed, and this is just part of the verbiage. The array of shafts available is staggering, the range of prices for shafts is amazing. A major brand name full set of irons priced at $1,100 or more is not unusual.

Let’s not overlook putters, the traditional blade putter could be hard to find. Check the names of these putters, SRT 2-Ball Putter, Tri-Ball SRT Putter, Studio Style Putter, 2 Bar Putter, some of the styles available look as if they came from another planet. The site I found these putters on listed 138 brand name putters, ranging in price from $19.99 to $299.00, the vast majority of them were around $130.00.

Send in the clones…along with the explosion of major brand name manufacturers, there has also been an explosion of companies who either manufacture or import “clone” of “knockoff” clubs that have the same or very similar specifications and features of some of the more familiar brand names, some of them even copy the cosmetic features. Many of these clones or knockoff clubs have been challenged in court for patent infringement, some have lost and some have not. What is the value of these companies? Glad you asked…most of them sell their products at a fraction of the cost of the major brand name products, even if your ego will not let you carry a clone club in your bag, you can still buy one of these clubs that has similar specs and features to the brand name you are considering, this is a relatively inexpensive way to check out what you think may work. Another way to perform the same experiment is to have a custom club maker build you a club that mimics the brand name you are after, or of course you can buy the components and tools and build-it-yourself.

When you are finished with your evaluation you can take out a second on the house, sell the clone or custom club to one of your golf partners and buy that coveted major brand name club. Then go out and take some lessons, because no matter what the advertising or the salesperson promised, that new club will not, by itself, make you hit it like Tiger!

So where are you going to buy your new clubs? As little as 20 years ago the only place to find the major brand names and the expertise to properly fit a club to your swing was a golf course pro shop. Today your choices are almost endless. There are any number of “big Box” golf superstores, with complete on hand stocks of anything you could want, many of which also have websites. There are major web only retailers, mort have some type of fitting chart that will get you close to the ideal club. The Internet has also made it east for a small custom club maker to put his wares on the web, and this is where in many cases you will find the most expertise, just do a search for “custom golf clubmakers”. Then there are the clone and knockoff companies, and some of these products are fantastic values, search for “clone golf clubs”.

Wherever, and whatever you buy…Enjoy your new clubs. And then when you are on the first tee or the driving range and the guy next to you or ahead of you is hitting 300 yard drives with an old wood headed club, you can wonder why.

Jim Newell a Security Professional, salesman and Consultant for over 35 years, writes articles covering many different topics, including home, business and property security, sales and marketing, health and fitness and others. He operates web sites who’s missions are to educate, and bring additional information about these topics. The goal is to help you to make informed and educated decisions about securing your personal property, your home and your business property, live a more healthy lifestyle, and help on the road salespeople better manage their time and resources. Visit http://www.talkingolf101.com for more info.

Previously Owned Gear This is a perfect place to start for any golfer just beginning the game or for someone who doesn’t want to spend a small fortune on brand new equipment. There are a number of great places that you can find top notch used equipment. If you think of it like buying a car, the minute that brand new car is driven off the lot its value starts to decrease. But that doesn’t mean it won’t work as good as it did the day before when it was still on the car lot.

The same theory applies to golf equipment. You can usually get last years equipment that has hardly used for almost half the price. The technology is still just as good as it was last year but you won’t have to pay the price for this year’s model. There are number of great websites that deal strictly in this type of business. One of them being the ever popular EBAY, another is Callaway Golf Pre-owned and finally GolfClubExchange.com are the three biggest and most popular. You’ll be able to find all degrees of used equipment that is priced accordingly.

End Of Season Another place a golfer looking for bargain golf equipment might look is any major golf store. It can be online or a department store. The key to this type of strategy is timing. If you go searching for new equipment near the end of the season a lot of company’s will have year end sales where they’re looking to give the consumer one last chance at this years equipment at better prices.

But the best time to buy is just after Christmas right before the beginning of the new season. The golf stores will offer huge savings on all the equipment they’re trying to clear out to make room for the new stuff coming in for the up coming season. This is where I feel you’ll find the best bargains on all types of brand new golf equipment that has never had an owner. This especially holds true for such items as golf shoes and clothing. If you want to save a little money then look for last years models and you’ll get some great deals.

Where To Shop If you’re wondering where to go to get these great bargains there’s only one place. The internet is the best place to find what ever you’re looking for. There’s one main reason for shopping online, and that’s competition. There are so many online retailers competing for your business you can find some ridiculously low prices. You just have to take your time and look. The best thing about this is you don’t have leave the comfort of your own home to find your new gear for this year. The bottom line about bargain golf equipment is to take your time and look in all the right places. You’ll find an awesome deal!

You don’t have to spend a fortune on new equipment? Take the worry out of buying golf gear with John Bolt’s ULTIMATE FREE equipment guide from http://www.golfequipmentsource.com . Enjoy your game…and have tons more fun! =>Bargain Golf Equipment

No More Golf Lessons Or Tips

How many times have you taken a golf lesson only to play worse? How about during your lesson your teaching pro tells you, you need to get a certain position and you physically can’t do it. More lessons won’t help. You need to eliminate the limitation to be able to do what your pro wants.

I don’t want to bash golf teaching professionals because they are critical for golfers who need to understand golf swing mechanics. Most, if not all the golf fitness instructors don’t know the golf swing well enough to even take a guess at it.

Improve Golf Swing

Your body determines how well you’ll swing the golf club!

I have said this hundreds of times and will continue to say it. Hitting more balls will not improve your golf swing mechanics if you have physical limitations that don’t allow your body to perform the movements required during the golf swing.

When you finally come to that realization and partake in a golf fitness routine, you’ll see a golf game you have possibly never seen before. This is not hype…it’s a fact. Get your body moving better, and your golf swing takes care of itself.

A golf fitness instructor at the very least should have a basic understanding of the golf swing. So many golf fitness professionals spend all their time getting certifications, but when it comes time to actually work with a golfer, they don’t have a clue where to begin.

Golf Training Knowledge And Experience

Finding out the experience in the field is critical in choosing a golf fitness instructor to work with. How many years have they worked in this specialty? I’m not talking about “general” fitness training; I’m talking about golf specific training. How many golf clients did he or she have or is currently working with? What kind of success did the golf clients achieve? Place a phone call or two and you’ll find out real quick.

Golf Swing Improvement

If you are looking to improve your golf swing power, mechanics and consistency…a credible golf fitness trainer can help you achieve these goals much quicker.

Why?

Because a golf fitness trainer will assess your physical limitations and golf swing faults and prescribe a golf strength and flexibility routine to eliminate these limitations and correct your golf swing faults.

Your body dictates your golf outcome! When you address the above concerns with the guidance of a golf fitness trainer, your golf swing will transform. Your body will finally do what you mind has wanted it to do all along!

Golf Fitness Sucess

One very important aspect a golf fitness instructor can bring to the table is adherence to your golf training program. Your consistency with your program will ultimately determine your outcome. Your golf performance will dramatically improve if you are consistent…and will not if you quit early or don’t give your body a chance to improve.

Your golf fitness instructor will be your rock! He/she will be with you every step of the way. Your conistency will determine your outcome. This outcome is a power golf swing that is repeatable for 18 holes!

Picture this outcome in times of struggle. Envision walking off the course victorious. You’ll never be handing over the money after the round ever again!

All of this can be accomplished with a golf fitness instructor.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is an Internationally recognized golf fitness instructor and author. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance membership sites. Take a look at his best selling Golf Fitness Training System at his golf fitness exercise site – PerformBetterGolf.com.