The golf slice is a nuisance to golfers. The ball ends up nowhere near your intended target, thus ultimately raising your golf score.
Eradicating the slice from your game is a major solution to bringing down your golf score. Below are some of the most effective tips for correcting the golf slice.
Golf Tip #1: Check Your Grip
For right-handed golfers, check that the line between the thumb and forefinger of your left hand that is gripping the club shaft is directly pointing to your right eye. Moreover, the left thumb must be placed in the palm of your right hand or trailing hand. Also make sure your grip is firm, but avoid making the grip too hard to maintain the fluidity of the release during impact.
Golf Tip #2: Thumbs Up at Follow-Through
If you’re gripping the shaft of the club correctly, the grip will be released after ball impact and your hands will take a thumbs-up position.
Golf Tip #3: Leading Shoulder Should Move Down
As you swing the golf club, your front shoulder (or left shoulder for the right-handed golfer) must go down with the swing. Not doing this will result in a slice or the ball being hit from the outside to the inside.
Golf Tip #4: Set-up Correctly
It is important that the golf ball be correctly positioned so that the face of the club will squarely hit the ball and prevent the slice from occurring. Having the ball farther in front will cause you to hit the ball at an arc or with the club face open, thereby causing a slice.
Golf Tip #5: Don’t Hold Back on Your Follow-Through
Don’t stop or shorten your follow through as not to reduce the speed and power of your golf swing. By allowing your follow through to proceed freely, you will maintain a correct balance during the swing. And this will enable you to hit the ball squarely, thus helping you avoid hitting a slice.
Golf Tip #6: Train Your Body with Golf Drills
It’s important to actually perform the golf drills and not just read several golf tips. By performing golf drills frequently, you will be able to build-up your motor memory or cellular memory for executing the ‘optimal’ golf swing.
By performing the golf drills, the correct swing will feel more natural and over time, your body will be trained to swing the golf club consistently at the right rhythm, power, and accuracy. You will be able to actualize the shots that you visualize at a higher rate.
Golf Tip #7: Aim for a Flatter Golf Plane
A slice results from an open-faced hit produced when a golfer’s swing travels an overly vertical golf plane or path. You can stop producing golf slices when you make your golf swing flatter by bending your knees more and turning your shoulders during each golf swing.
Most importantly, review your swing fundamentals to be able to pinpoint the root cause of your slice. Start your analysis from the most basic such as your golf grip, set-up, back swing, follow through, and etc.
Eventually, with your regular review and performance of golf swing drills, golf slices will be a thing of the past in your golf game.

Golf is a game that catches the interest of people of all ages. It is also highly recommended as a form of exercise for individuals who do not have the endurance for cardio-vascular activities, since golf is well known for the long walking periods in between shots. However, not everyone has the resources or the guts to try out a game that seems to require so much skill and concentration. But is this really true, or are there such golf tips for beginners that will enable one to play, or perhaps at least feel, like a pro? To start oneself on the road to becoming a good golf player, tips prepared especially for beginners are a necessary find. After all, professional golf magazines or websites may have nice prose catering to the appetite of the expert player, but for a beginner, all the terms and lingo may be daunting. This explains the importance of first learning the language of the game, before moving on to actually learning to play.
The next part of the preparation is getting the good golf clubs. Golf tips for beginners usually have this part covered, too. Consulting a friend who is an experienced golfer may be a good idea, since there are many things to consider before buying an entire set. If resources are scarce, or for people who do not yet want to invest a huge amount of money for a trial hobby, an option may be to borrow from a close friend or relative. If having company is a welcome deal, perhaps the owner of the golf clubs can even accompany the aspiring player. In the worst case, golf clubs can sometimes be rented at the venue itself, at an affordable price. Once the terminology is etched into memory, and the golf bag is ready to go, the aspiring golfer can then move on to the following suggestions:
1. Before starting any game, stretching and relaxing warm-up exercises are usually recommended. This helps the player focus and allows greater flexibility of the muscles required to make a successful shot.
2. After the warm-ups, it is time to set oneself in position. There is a proper positioning required for golf that will minimize accidents and injuries. This is an integral first thing anyone needs to know before actually playing a game. Golf requires not only hand-eye coordination, but a synergy for every part of the body, from the shoulders, hands, wrists, all the way down to the torso, legs and knees. A proper understanding of the necessary placement of each muscle involved is a key to a good start at golf. For example, the way that someone holds the club is indicative of his level of experience, as an expert golfer will always hold the club not with his palm, but using his fingers with a very light amount of pressure. This firm but relaxed grip results in an automatically good golf swing.
3. The next thing to understand is the proper positioning of the ball in relation to the golf club. The usual way that amateur golfers hit a ball is by targeting it so that the bottom part of the club hits it. It is a much preferred way to hit the ball using the top half of the club face, since this will result in an ascending projectile motion, adding distance to the shot.
4. Another thing to consider when making a shot is the movement of the golfer’s body. The usual tendency is for a person to pull himself back only halfway before hitting the ball. This translates into a poor impact and consequently a short distance traveled by the ball. A better way is to turn all the way back, so that the movement turns into a strong, powerful blow to the ball, sending it way off into the distance.
These simple golf tips for beginners should set anyone off on the right track. The importance of a good foundation cannot be underestimated, since, once wrong habits are in place, they will be difficult to replace. This way, the good start will eventually translate into golf scores beckoning for everyone’s applause, and the amateur will wind up realizing his golf bag has become his best friend!

At some point in the near future Graeme McDowell’s reputation will go before him. Despite his success at the US Open at Pebble Beach and in the Ryder Cup, despite his career high ranking of world No 7, McDowell has yet to escape the novelty factor that attaches to golfers who come from ‘nowhere’ to win.

Woods, despite losing a four-shot lead, was poised to end a turbulent year with a victory in his final event. Tied for the lead playing the 18th hole at Sherwood Country Club, he stuffed an eight-iron inside three feet for a sure birdie. It was vintage Woods, the kind of magic he has he delivered so often in his career. But it wasn’t the same old outcome.

McDowell, with his own reputation as a tough closer, stayed in the game on the 17th by taking a penalty drop on the 18th tee and escaping with bogey. Then after Woods’s great shot, McDowell answered with an all-or-nothing birdie putt.

In the play-off on the same hole, McDowell coaxed in another birdie putt from about 25 feet. Woods had about 15 feet to extend the play-off, but it missed just right of the cup.

”Probably two of the great putts I’ve made,” McDowell said.

It was the first time Woods has ever lost a tournament when leading by at least three shots going into the final round.

”He will be back to winning tournaments very soon,” said McDowell, who closed with a 69, while Woods shot a 73 to match him at 16-under 272. They were four shots clear of Paul Casey, who had had a 69 to finish alone in third.

Meanwhile, world No 1 Lee Westwood has criticised the US PGA Tour for voting American Rickie Fowler as rookie of the year ahead of Britain’s Rory McIlroy.

“Sorry, 140 letters is not going to be enough for this rant,” Westwood said on Twitter.

“Yes, Ricky’s had a good year but Rory McIlroy was third in two majors and [produced] an absolute demolition of the field at Quail Hollow. Oh yes and he was on the winning Ryder Cup team.”

Westwood was referring to the 21-year-old Northern Irishman’s third-place finishes at the Open and USPGA Championship and his four-stroke victory over a top-class field at the Quail Hollow Championship in North Carolina in May.

“Is this another case of protectionism by the PGA Tour or are they so desperate to win something? Wouldn’t have something to do with Rory not joining the tour next year? Maybe the PGA Tour just employs the same voting process as Fifa?”

We golfers are always looking for ways to improve our game. We’ll do just about anything to shave a stoke or two off our scores.
It’s an obsession…
There is so much information on the game of golf you could spend a lifetime pouring over all of the different golf swing techniques. Truth be told, there is so much information on improving your golf swing that even a professional golfer can lose his form.
Golf just doesn’t have to be that difficult. I mean really, the reason we love the game is because we can escape from the real world. Why else are we out there for 4 or 5 hours on a Saturday or Sunday? It’s because we want to enjoy time with our friends and see if we can’t get through a round of golf without losing a sleeve of golf balls. So how do we make this crazy game a little more enjoyable?
Here are 5 simple golf tips to improve your game…
1. Take time to prepare – When we head out the golf course, we know that we are going to be there for several hours. Take the time to get yourself ready for the day. Put the worries of the day, be it bills, work or the kids…
It really doesn’t matter, if you are thinking about that, then you are not thinking about golf. This simple golf tip is more important than all the rest!
2. Warm up – Ok, I am no exercise nut, but even I know that if I stretch my muscles before I tee off my swing will be more relaxed.
By just taking 5 or ten minutes to do some basic stretching exercises before you head to the first tee, you have a much better chance of hitting a solid shot instead of the worm burner or banana ball we all dread.
3. Hit some balls – When you get to the golf course, if there is a driving range, get a small bucket of balls and hit 20 or 25 shots. Just taking the time to hit some balls before you start will give you a chance to get a feel for your swing.
Hitting 3 or 4 solid shots at the driving range goes a long way. Remember though, you are not trying to play muscle man on the driving range, just trying to get a few good swings in.
Hey, if there is no driving range, you can always find an area where you can break out a wedge and hit some chip shots. Give it a try; you will see a difference on the golf course.
4. Practice putting – I have never been to a golf course where they didn’t have a practice green near the clubhouse or first tee. Yet, so many of us never take the time to hit some putts.
Pull 3 balls out of your bag and hit some putts. Make sure the golf balls you use are the same ones you are going to use on the golf course. I like to use a new sleeve of balls for this. That way I know the golf ball is not an issue when practicing. Get a feel for the greens and this will give you confidence on the course.
5. Plan your Round – This one may sound funny, but I like to break my round into six 3 hole sessions. We all know what are strengths are weaknesses are. My goal is to break 80 every time I play, but there are some courses that are more of a challenge than others.
I will look at the first 3 holes and decide what I want my score to be for those 3 holes based on my knowledge of the course and the strengths and weaknesses in my game.
Unless you are a professional golfer you are here for the sport not the money.

Pre-tournament favourites Wellington and defending champions Bay of Plenty were both toppled on the opening day of the men’s interprovincial team golf championship at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club on the Kapiti Coast today.
Hosts Wellington were ousted 3-2 by Hawke’s Bay in the morning’s first round while Taranaki, last in the 2009 tournament, downed Bay of Plenty 3-2 this afternoon.
Wellington, with two Eisenhower Trophy representatives in Ben Campbell and Peter Spearman-Burn, were stopped by a strong Hawke’s Bay combination led by North Island champion Nick Gillespie, who beat New Zealand amateur champion Campbell 3 and 2, bagging six birdies in the process.
The other wins went to Pieter Zwart and Richard Squire who proved the key, coming from two-down after nine holes to win four holes in a row on the way to a 3 and 1 victory over James Betts, the local Paraparaumu player and 2008 national strokeplay champion.
Taranaki, with a mixture of youth at the top of their order and experience at the bottom, must have found a zip in their step from their bright yellow and black checkered pants as they held Waikato to a 2½ to 2½ half this morning.
That was proven no fluke when they pushed hard in the afternoon against Bay of Plenty, who are hoping to become just the second team to ever win the title four times in a row.
Taranaki had wins to Brad Hayward, over national strokeplay champion Brad Kendall, and Aarun Langton, while the Bay had wins to Andrew Stewart and Landyn Edwards, who bagged five birdies.
The key win came when veteran Murray Martin scored a 1-up victory over Bay captain Kieran Muir to give his side the overall honours.
This left Taranaki as the leading team in division one with a win and a half, while Aorangi South Canterbury, 12th last year, head division two with two wins along with North Harbour.
While Taranaki lead the way in their division, Auckland had a convincing win in their only match, Manawatu-Wanganui fought back from the morning loss to Northland to upset Waikato in the afternoon, and Otago scored a win over Tasman.
The division has the unusual sight of Bay of Plenty at the bottom of the table.
In division two, Aorangi disposed of Poverty Bay and Southland. No 3 Simon Wright was under par in winning both games, including five birdies in his afternoon victory over Southland’s Cody Harper.

There are many types of gazebos in the world today. There are folding gazebos that act like tents and can be put away when they are not needed. There are decorative gazebos that are found in parks and large backyards, which serve as a good place to relax. As well, there are gazebos with screens that hang over a bed or other structure, helping to keep out mosquitoes and ward off the West Nile Virus.

Materials
The materials used with gazebos vary as much as the types of gazebos. A large portion of gazebos are made out of wood, as it is the best structure to use when you want to create something that allows you to relax in nature. However, nylon or polyester is often used with gazebos that are of the folding type, acting more like tents than gazebos.
In many parts of the world, a gazebo material can be screens or mesh to keep out a wide variety of insects that may disturb sleep or spread disease.

Costs
The cost of a gazebo varies depending on its size. The larger gazebos cost thousands of dollars to build and maintain, while smaller ones can run a couple hundred to a few thousand at the most.
Gazebos that are of the folding type do not cost much at all and can be bought for $100 or a few hundred more at most, depending on the size.

Conclusion
Gazebos have been around for hundreds of years and millions of people have enjoyed their shelter. Whether it is a place to sit down and relax, a place to get married in, or simply a place to get out of the rain, gazebos are the best place in a park, backyard or elsewhere to enjoy nature in that way.
Gazebos can be elaborate and large, fitting entire bands who play for a crowd that has gathered, or they can be small and just big enough to fit two people standing up.
The structures are very popular with weddings, and if there is an outdoor wedding, there are people who are going to find a gazebo for it.
While you can pay a lot for certain types of gazebos, you can pay little for others. It depends on what you want, how elaborate you get and how large they are.
However, no matter what you choose, standing in your gazebo looking out at the view from your yard, you too will say Que c’est beau.
Gazebos are like little shelters in our oasis from the outside world. They are a place where we can go and feel at peace with ourselves, and the nature around us.