Each year golfers spend millions of dollars on golf training aids, trying to find the magical cure that will suddenly catapult them into the golfer they always wanted to be… generally abandoning their efforts two or three weeks later obtaining little or no positive results for their efforts. So what is the answer?

Being a fairly accomplished golfer myself, I have often said, “Invent a halfway sensible golf training aid, market it properly, and you will make millions. Golfers will buy anything if they believe it will help them play better.” This really is the truth. So what’s a golfer to do? What works and what doesn’t work? How do you know if you’re buying the right thing? These are valid questions and deserve valid answers.

What is the answer? Do these training aids work, or are you just wasting your money? Yes, most do work to some degree, but how well?

In trying to discover what works, one needs to look toward the Tour professionals and see what they are using. Tour pros know the game; they find out very quickly what works and what doesn’t.

So what are the training aids I see most often on Tour? They are:

• The Leaderboard Golf Trainer
• Opto-Smart Putting Laser Trainer
• and The Putting Arc

The Leaderboard is probably the number one training aid on tour, although you seldom see this at the course, it is quite common in the gym and at home. The Putting Arc is probably the number one putting aid followed close by the Putting Laser Trainer.

If you’re looking for golf training aids to help your game, and don’t want to waste time and money on items that just don’t work, take a look at what the Tour pros use. You won’t go wrong.

James E. Thomas is a golf professional currently working as a PGA Tour caddy. He has over 30 years experience in the golf industry. Visit his website, pga-golf-tour-caddy-guide.com.

Today, there are scores of folks who decide that they want to embark on an adventure that combines a love for golf with the pleasure one gets from a hearty vacation. With this in mind, more people have turned to taking a golf school vacation as their vacation of choice.

Anyone planning to go on a golf school vacation must know what to look for in taking one of these. A lot of it comes down to whether or not you want to put a great deal of time and effort into being a part of the golf school experience.

If you don’t feel as if you are going to be able to devote the effort it takes to learn new things about how to improve your golf game, and you feel better about the vacation aspect of your trip, then it’s probably best to skip the golf school vacation in exchange for a more traditional vacation.

Once you’ve determined that you do wish to continue on this quest, it is then up to you to know when you are going on leave, as this allows you to set the date, times and packages for your journey. Be sure to get in at a time when some sort of tournament or event isn’t taking place, if you wish to have a more leisurely experience and want to avoid gridlock.

One good thing about choosing golf school experiences nowadays is that these schools have begun focusing on particular aspects of the sport in order to be unique in what they bring to the table.

Among the many destinations for those looking for a great golf school vacation, people have visited Maryland, South Carolina, Louisiana, California, Florida, and Arizona for their getaways. Those who decide on the Sunshine State as their vacation spot can get a fantastic experience at any one of the nine locations offered by America’s Favorite Golf Schools. This is one of many schools in the state which provide excellent instruction, along with excellent golfing climate. Nearly a fourth of the best golf professionals in the United States reside in Florida — so it is definitely worth your while to seek a golf school vacation in Florida.

The vacationers who select California as their destination can look to San Diego for a pair of great learning centers — Mind Power Golf Schools and San Diego Golf Academy. These schools give students the chance to get a great golf school vacation thanks to the combination of fantastic weather and nationally-renowned instruction.

If Arizona is more to your liking, try checking out Bird Golf Academy’s Prescott location — an hour-and-a-half outside Phoenix — as well as Scottsdale Golf and Lodging. With wonderful instructors and a fine summer golf climate, these experiences promise to better your game and let you have a pleasant vacation time, too.

With these golf vacation school options available, along with so many others, you should now be able to consider taking a golf school getaway to ease the mind and body — and make your time on the links a good bit easier, as well.

Matt Murren owns and operates golf-school-advisor.com.

Driving is one of the most important elements of your golf game. It’s how you start every round and every hole, and the quality of your drives impacts the rest of your game. Will you be able to lay up nicely for a birdie, or will you be chasing your drives into the rough? Every golfer needs to spend time practicing, that’s why driving ranges were invented. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have a driving range in your backyard? Well, golf nets can allow you to practice your golf drives in the convenience of your own backyard.

Let’s look at some different aspects of driving the ball that you can practice with a golf net, so that the next time you go to the links you’ll strike the ball with power and precision.

Stance

The approach or the setup precedes the stance and is crucial to the swing. This element is controlled by your judgment. Your feet and shoulders should be in line with the desired path of the ball (unless playing a draw or fade). By laying a club at your feet you can see the direction of your line. An instructor or golfing buddy can also correct the lineup on your approach.

Generally speaking, the ball should be forward in your stance (close to your lead foot). Your knees should be slightly bent, and good footing helps ensure stability for the swing. While the eyes should always remain on the ball during the shot, the chin should be raised to allow for the shoulder to rotate through the shot. This is the most intellectual element of the swing, so take time to check your line, footing and other parts of your approach. You don’t want to waste a perfectly executed swing on bad preparation.

Now let’s check your stance. Your stance should change depending on the kind of shot you are making (drive, iron, chip, putt) and any number of variations you might desire to perform (draw, fade, distance, etc.). Because you need extra power and stability for the drive, you should spread your legs just wider than shoulder length. In his book How I Play Golf, Tiger Woods said:

“When I plan to go all out with the driver, I spread my feet even wider than normal. That gives me a firmer base so I won’t lose my balance.”

Finally, make sure you have a good grip on the club. Different golfers will try different grip methods, but it’s important that your grip is firm because you need to have absolute control over the club head through the swing in order to make solid impact.

The approach and stance take meticulous precision. You want to be comfortable with your approach and be sure to practice it. The approach sets the tone for the shot and gives you a sense of regularity and consistency in changing situations. Be sure to always practice the science of your approach so that you can master the art of your swing.

Swing

The swing involves several key factors all coming together in a matter of seconds to execute a powerful and precise shot. Sometimes, only one thing needs to go wrong to make a poor shot. Consistent practice will refine your drive as you focus on each of these elements of the swing.

Backswing

Beginning the motion of the swing is the all important backswing or takeaway. Instructor Jack Moorehouse, author of How to Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros, says:

“The first 24 inches or so of the takeaway is crucial. It helps determine the swing’s width and the clubhead’s path.”

Concerning path and width, you want to be sure not to let the shaft stray wide or inside of your line. In other words, during the midpoint of your backswing, the shaft should be parallel with your target line — parallel to your feet. The backswing should be simple and smooth; try not to make any jerky movements.

From the Top

You should check several things at the end (or top) of your backswing. Often, golfers can make the mistake of over-reaching on their backswing as if to wrap the club around their body. The thought is to gain more power on the downswing, but that is not the case. The opposite risk is not going far enough, which sacrifices the power of your drive.

At the top of the swing, the shaft of the club should again be parallel to your target line. To ensure that you are parallel at the top, check your lower arm (usually considered the dominant hand) and make sure your elbow forms a right angle to the ground. Your other arm (top hand) should stay straight throughout the swing. This draws the lead shoulder around so that at the top of the backswing, the shoulders will be perpendicular to your feet which face the ball.

Allow your hips to rotate slightly with your shoulders. This rotation creates power for the drive. When you are practicing, make sure that your clubface itself is parallel to your lead arm. The angle of your club head is not irrelevant because it affects the impact of the clubface with the ball.

Tempo

Now we have to bring everything back to earth. Many golfers get overeager at this point and speed things up on the way down. Again, the thinking is that more speed equals more power. With all of the factors involved in the swing, the math is not that simple. Power will come primarily from the torque in your shoulders and hips released through your arms.

An even tempo is more important than speed, especially during practice. This is a prime reason to take practice swings before your shot. During practice, try developing an even counting system that corresponds to your backswing and downswing. As your game develops, you can begin to speed up your downswing, but a comfortable tempo will always govern the swing. Don’t forget to swing comfortably!

Sweet Spot

All of these things are preparation for the decisive moment — impacting the ball. Every club has a “sweet spot,” and drivers are designed with extra sugar. A larger clubface is no reason to be careless though. A shot with poor impact can result in an embarrassing shank or a crank in the rough. Solid impact will create the distance and direction you are looking for.

If you are struggling with making a solid impact, check all of the preparatory elements already discussed including set-up, distance from the ball, and backswing. Essentially, you want the moment of impact to reflect the approach stance. Of course, your shoulders and hips will be moving through the ball, but the club should impact the ball at the same point at which it began the takeaway. As with other sports, eye contact is crucial to solid impact. Be sure to keep your head down and your eye on the ball through impact and even follow through. This mistake is so common that the discipline of keeping your eye on the ball should be strongly enforced during practice.

Follow Through

Jack Moorehouse again advises:

“The follow-through is a good indicator of the shot’s quality. If it ends with a nice finish, chances are the swing was effective.”

For all practical purposes, the follow through simply resolves the movement of the swing. Yet, it is so united to the rest of the swing that you want to attend to your follow through in practice. Tiger Woods explains the importance of extension in the follow through when he says:

“My right arm is fully extended straight down the target line. That shows I’ve tried to generate as much clubhead speed as possible.”

Also be sure to keep your feet in proper stance. Your back foot should come up with your toe pointing to the ground, and you should be balanced on your lead foot. If you are losing your balance, then you need to adjust the width of your stance or maybe your tempo. Don’t choke yourself with your follow through; make your follow through comfortable.

Results

Your practice will determine how you play. With all of the different aspects of a drive to develop, it is important to practice. Most people are reduced to only practicing their short game in their yards, but now you can practice all elements of your game at home. With a golf net you will be able to hit as many balls as you want without chasing them, and you can practice at your leisure without traveling to the range.

Here is what the great Tiger says about the importance of practice:

“I committed myself to the idea that there are no shortcuts to improvement. The best way to ingrain the correct movements and positions is through repetition.”

After developing the fine points of your swing at home, you will be able to experience the joy and pleasure of a great game from start to finish.

Paul Galla is president of U.S. Netting.

Check out the Gear for Golf Titan Practice Net and other backyard practice nets at Golfsmith. 

By Richard Myers 

Building a backyard putting green is like taking part of the local golf course home. You can tap a few balls after work, or avoid a crowded golf course altogether one day if you’re not interested in dealing with the crowd. You can entertain your children and their friends, and even use the home putting green as a centerpiece to your outdoor entertaining. If you enjoy using golf videos to improve your game, you can spend some time inside with the video, then head outside for an immediate dose of benefit from the instruction.

There are a myriad of companies who will build a putting green for you but many do-it-yourselfers are putting in their own green. If you decide to build your own putting green, there are several things to consider:

Time commitment — If you choose a natural putting green, there’s a great deal of maintenance involved. There’s mowing, getting the drainage just right, keeping the greens, well, green. If you work many hours or have a long commute that keeps you from home until late, this might not be the best option for you. But if you have the commitment, time and desire, many backyard putting greens owners report finding great enjoyment in their backyard golf oasis.

Cost — The cost doesn’t end when installation is complete. There’s watering to handle (and in some climates, keeping your greens green could expend a lot of water), upkeep via mowing, and costs that might incur from a myriad of possible trouble areas, like pests, disease and other expensive fun-killers.

Expertise — If you don’t have a great deal of landscape experience, you might not be equipped to handle this job alone. Many experts recommend getting advice and assistance from the people who maintain your local golf course. They can steer you toward a design that will be easier to maintain. Most experts say the most important component in putting green design is drainage. Get that right and the rest should fall into place.

Resources — You should have enough room for a backyard putting green, though how big you make it is really your own choice. Instead of getting caught up in the novelty and charm of having a backyard putting green, think about whether or not it will see adequate use. Are you antisocial? Consider that before installing a putting green, because friends and neighbors will likely invite themselves for a little practice now and then. If something changes and you no longer have the time to maintain your putting green, are you willing or able to hire someone to do it for you?

Experts say there’s great reward in having a backyard putting green, but you have to make the decision carefully whether or not to install one. You don’t want to be stuck with an expensive, half-finished and difficult project.

Richard Myers is a keen golfer and his websites Think and Reach Par and Golf for Leftys offer free tips and golfing advice to help you improve your swing, plus training videos/DVDs that can help you to lower your score.

Indoor/Outdoor Putting Greens @ Brookstone

• 2-Hole Putting Green, 4′x12′
• 3-Hole Putting Green, 8′x12′
• 4-Hole Putting Green, 12′x12′
• Golf Training Aid and Putting Green

By Dr. Richard C. Myers

Most golfers want to improve their game. Of the many, many choices available, you can find the golf training aid that can help you improve virtually any and every aspect of your game. These include weighted clubs, impact balls, special mats, measuring devices and much, much more. Many golfers would agree that although golf is an easy game to learn, it is difficult to master.

Each golf training aid is designed to help you focus on one thing, such as your stance or your swing. Practicing over and over trains your mind and your body until the correct positioning or motion becomes second nature on the golf course.

However, a golf training aid that works for one person won’t necessarily provide someone else the same benefits. Those new to the game of golf have an advantage in using training aids — their lack of experience means almost any aid will be helpful by providing experience just by using it. More experienced golfers have probably developed bad habits that are harder to change. Or, they have very specific faults they want to address and it’s harder to find a golf training aid specific enough to improve those faults.

Whether you are a beginner or a golfer who has logged hours on courses around the globe, you will only benefit from training aids that are suited to your needs and your preferred learning methods. Read reviews and keep yourself updated about the teaching aids available. Don’t be shy; talk to other golfers and find out what training tools they have found helpful.

Aside from making sure you choose a golf training aid best suited to your needs, make sure your selection makes sense. Be wary of products that make promises as well as those that address a certain skill without also touching on the related skills. For example, a training aid designed to increase your swing speed should also focus on establishing a good swing. What good is a faster swing if you are just hitting the ball into the woods? If the product promises to improve your swing speed without also addressing swing control, quality and accuracy, move on to another aid.

Bear in mind that a golf training aid can only improve your game to the degree that your body is able. If you don’t have a good foundation of strength and flexibility, a training aid can only do so much. Work on improving your physical condition along with the specifics of your golf game.

Another important factor in successfully benefiting from a golf training aid is regularly using it. It will take several sessions with the device before you will see a difference in your game. Don’t give up too quickly and move your training tool to the garage or basement never to be seen again.

Richard Myers is a keen golfer and his websites Think and Reach Par and Golf for Leftys contains many free tips and great golfing advice plus training videos and DVDs to help you improve your swing and lower your score using some very simple exercises.

By Mike Pedersen

You’re a busy guy and don’t have much time to practice your swing, let alone putting. So how can you find the time to practice putting when you are struggling to find the time even to get on the course a couple of times a week (apart from weekends of course)? Golf putting aids are your answer.

Golf Putting Aids Should Relate to the Problem

Heck, you see them all the time on TV shows, movies, adverts. Guys standing in their office trying to putt a ball into a floor trap or elevated hole. But are these putting aids really useful in helping you improve your putting?

Well, the simple answer is yes, assuming that your specific problem is relevant to the type of practice they give you. If your problem is your stance, or even your grip, no amount of trying to hit balls into tin cans lying on your office floor will help you. Your practice must be related to curing your problem. Golf putting aids are the same as any other golf aid: They must be designed to resolve the problem that you have. Otherwise there is no point in you using them.

Putting Aids Can be Simple

Golf putting aids need not be substantial pieces of kit. An indoor putting mat is a simple piece of equipment that allows you to practice indoors on a surface fairly close to a real putting green. All you need then is a target: A tin can or drinking glass makes a great target. No need for fancy golf hole simulators. A putting mat and a tin can or glass can be used at home or in the office so you can’t complain about having no time.

Other golf putting aids help you with your alignment. Some use lasers while others use a series of dots on the putter. A simple aid to ensuring your stance and eye alignment are right is to get yourself aligned till you are just about to putt, then drop a ball from between your eyes. This will show exactly where your eyes were lined up to.

Use Golf Putting Aids Frequently: Practice Makes Perfect

The important factor with golf putting aids is to use them frequently. It doesn’t matter how simple or complex they are. Practice, practice, practice. That’s how to get consistency in any golf shot, and the putt is just as important a shot as a 250 yard drive — in fact it is more important. A wayward drive might not cost you a stroke, but a wayward putt definitely will!

Practice makes perfect!

Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites.