Putting Drills – Stoke Through The Invisible Ball

By  at 07:32:00    
Putting drills don’t need to be long and difficult. I’ve talked a lot in putting tips about a smooth putting stroke; A stroke without any hesitation or erratic moves from beginning to end. Forgetting about the ball and making it invisible is a good tip to keep in mind.

A golf tip to remember about all golf swings and putts it that you are not striking at the ball, you are swinging through it. It’s important to understand the distinction. Let’s use a baseball analogy.

The only way to get a solid hit in baseball is to swing the bat and strike the ball. The ball can be moving 90 miles an hour or more, so there’s a lot of coordination, skill and practice required to hit a fast. On the other end of the spectrum is a bunt. The bunt is intended to just push or pull the ball in front of the plate.

Your putting stroke must be like the full baseball swing. You start it and swing through. If you decelerate the putting stroke, you’ll be bunting at the ball instead of stroking through it. Deceleration is what happens when you bunt or stab at the ball. Most times, you will push the ball to the right for a right handed putter.

So the drill is pretty simple. Get in your stance and be ready to putt the ball. Look at the target on last time, then close your eyes and make take your putt. Feel how you stroke right through the ball. Your stroke should be smooth and accelerating through the ball.

The ball may not go where you intended the first few times, but you’ll be surprised at how quickly you will compensate. Taking away your visual cues for the point of contact should go a long way toward developing the smooth putting stroke.

I’m aiming to keep these putting drills simple and to the point. Good luck.

How to Putt Lessons from the World of Corporate Consulting

By  at 07:29:00    
My day job is consulting to major corporations in the pharmaceutical industry. I was thinking tonight about how to best present lessons on how to putt when one of the techniques we use in focused training came to mind.

Single Point Putting Instruction

In my consulting practice, we use a tool call single point training that’s designed to be delivered quickly and focused on a single topic. That way people can learn an important point and start using it immediately. It appears that this concept fits perfecting with putting tips and instruction.

So, what I’ll be doing of the course of the next days, weeks and months, is breaking down the best that I know, and can find for you, about putting into short single point focused putting lessons. I’ll also cover other parts of the golf game that are important to putting. For instance, I see chipping and pitching as very important to the lowest possible putts in a round. If you can chip within a few feet of the hole, you can make more putts. I’ve had many rounds when my ball striking was off, but I was able to score low because of my play from 100 yards in.

The plan is to present short single point lessons on the different aspects of putting. I realize that many golfers just don’t have the time for long lessons and need quick tips and pointers that can be learned and used quickly.

I’ll be presenting one or more of these single point putting lessons each week. After a few months, there will be quite a few lessons that can be incorporated into longer instruction if you have the time. I will probably create an ebook at that point.

If you have particular points that you want covered, let me know. My plan is to start with the very basics and build for each aspect of putting.

The Best Summer Tip Ever

By  at 07:26:00  , ,  
What if you could lower your golf score during the summer with a neat little idea?

So many golf tips are full of empty promises. They take a lot of work and effort and are never used. Not this one. It’s easy, no effort and no cost.

I normally talk about putting tips, but this tip will help all aspects of your game. It’s Summer and it’s hot. I played two days ago in Daytona Beach and it was 95 degrees with no breeze. I was playing well until I hit the wall after the 14th hole. Bogeys on the last four holes turned my under 80 round into an 82. Ouch.

Number One Summer Golf Tip

I hit the wall because I became dehydrated. Of course, by the time I realized it, it was too late. I drank about 20 ounces of water before my round, but was not drinking enough during the round and finally ran out of gas.

Does Dehydration Affect Golf Performance

I couldn’t believe that dehydration could affect my performance that much, so I did some research. It appears that since the early 60s, scientists have know of the effects of dehydration on performance.

I won’t go into all the details, but a 2.5% loss in body weight through sweating will result in a 30% decrease in performance. Both the brain and the body will suffer. A decrease in performance like that is sure to affect your body, brain and your golf score.

A 2.5% loss in body weight is only 5 pounds for a 200 pound golfer. On a hot summer day, it’s very easy to lose that much and more.

Get Hydrated – Stay Hydrated

These golf tips are not going to increase your skill. You will probably need to play more or practice for that to happen. What these tips will do is help you use the skill you have to maximum effect.

Here are my tips for staying hydrated:

  • Drink lots of water before the round
  • Drink often during the round even if you’re not thirsty. If you are sweating, starting replacing lost fluids
  • Stay away from sports drinks in the early part of the round. The sugars in these drinks will have you crashing before the end of the round. Tom Watson says to dilute sports drinks with an equal amount of water if you going to use them. Around the 14th hold you may get a good boost in energy to take it home.
  • Stay in the shade whenever possible
  • Take your time and go slow. Keep the sweating under control
  • Avoid alcohol the night before the round
  • Don’t drink alcohol during the round

Alcohol is a diuretic and will accelerate dehydration on hot days. If it’s part of your game, know that it will probably affect your score, but more importantly, it may lead to cramps and worse if you don’t stay hydrated. If you drink alcohol, make sure you drink more water.

Staying hydrated is not something you would normally see in the golf tips section, but following these few simple guidelines and staying hydrated could save you strokes and improve your round. The great thing is that it doesn’t require money, effort or practice.

Putting Tips – Why is Putter Loft is Important

By  at 07:22:00  , , ,  
Yes, your putter has loft and it affects your putting stroke and results. My Scotty Cameron Newport Detour has a 4 degree loft. All Scotty Cameron putters do. However, your putter may be different. For instance, my Odyssey putter that the Detour replaced has 3 degree of loft.

Why is a Putter Lofted?

Regardless of how flat the green seems, it’s not completely flat and the ball will sit down in a slight depression. The loft of the putter is there to help lift the ball slightly at contact for about 3-4 inches. After it lands it may skid for a short distance and then, if struck right, should roll smoothly from that point.

There’s Loft and Then There’s Your Loft

The loft of the putter will not likely be the loft of the putter head when you strike the ball. The angle of your shaft will either increase or decrease the loft. If you “forward press” or lean the club shaft forward, you’re delofting the club. If your shaft is leaning back, you’re adding extra loft.

How do you know? You should have a pro or club maker look at you, straight on, as you take 10-15 putts. He or she will be able to see the angle of your putting shaft and how the ball is coming off the putter head. The loft can then be adjusted to compensate if necessary. The putter loft can be adjusted at many golf course pro shops by a club maker.

My putting improved a lot when I began using my Scotty Cameron Detour. Although there’s a lot of engineering that went into the club, it may very well be that the added degree of loft helped.

Why Should You Care About Loft?

If your ball is wobbling and not rotating smoothly, you could have a problem with loft. If you often pop the ball up when you strike it, you could have a problem with loft. It’s a quick fix for a club maker and it won’t cost much. If your putts are really inconsistent and you think everything in your stroke is solid and consistent, this’s something you should look into. Stan Utley, author of The Art of Putting, believes that the right putter loft is the most important aspect of putting well.

This is another in a series of single point putting lessons. This is a series of short putting tips designed to cover a single point that can quickly improve your game.

How to plan a Jewish Wedding

By  at 07:17:00    
You are engaged. Mazel Tov! The next step is to plan the wedding. If you or your fiance, or both of you, are Jewish, there are certain things to consider when planning your big day.

The first thing you need to do is pick the date. Most rabbis won’t do a ceremony on Saturday because it is the Jewish Sabbath. When choosing the date, also take into consideration when the monthly cycle of the bride’s is. She will often be required to immerse in the Mikvah, which is the ceremonial bath, the night prior to the wedding and she needs to be “clean” for the seven days beforehand.

After the date has been decided, the ceremony is next to be planned. Depending on the couple’s religious background, most couples get married under the special wedding canopy, known as a huppah. If the couple is very Orthodox, they don’t see each other for seven days before the big day, and they also have to fast during the twenty-four hours building up to the ceremony. At the beginning of the ceremony the bride, along with her mother, circles around the groom seven times. A lot of prayers are said and when the ceremony is done, the groom takes a glass and stomps it with his foot. This is supposed to chase away the “evil eye”. If the couple is not as Orthodox, they will usually decide on a few traditions to have and then say the prayers in both Hebrew and English.

Choosing a location for the reception is also important. Make the decision based upon the traditions of the groom and brides’ religious views, as well as those of their guests. For Jews who are Orthodox, a partition, also known as a mehitza, is used to keep separation between the women and men during the reception. Make sure the venue you choose can accommodate that. Consider if you are going to have kosher food at your reception. Make sure the venue can supply the food themselves or if they will let you bring in your own kosher catering.

One of the most fun things about Jewish weddings is the music. Dancing the horah and lifting the groom and bride up on chairs is one of the most memorable parts of the night. Cake is eaten, speeches are given, and the bride tosses the bouquet.

Don’t stress out too much about planning your wedding. Regardless of your religious tradition, the event is about your love for each other. It should be fun and after the night is finished, people should go home happy, inebriated, and wishing the new couple a happy, healthy, and long life together.

How to Give a Great Wedding Speech

By  at 07:15:00    
Wedding Speeches will be remembered and talked about for a long time. The following tips will help you write a perfect speech.

Prepare:

Watch movies with a wedding theme to get in the right frame of mind. Think The Wedding Singer, Father of the Bride, or Wedding Crashers. Pay attention to the tone and flow of the speeches. If there are any home movies of past speeches of family weddings, watch them and take notes of ideas of length or phrases that you may like to use.

Write down ideas:

At a quiet time, sit down and brainstorm to get ideas about the couple. Think about unique and special things about them, quirks, and how they met.

Review what you’ve written and take note of a few items that you want to talk about. Think of a few different angles, such as a story, background for a joke, or something nice and sweet about the couple.

The introduction:

A good way to start a speech is with a joke. This will relax things and put people in a positive mood. If you do start with a joke, it should not be offensive in any way. Leave religion, politics, and sex out and don’t make a joke out of anything that the bride and groom argue or fight about. Usually safe areas include such things as his or her shortage of housecleaning skills, their obsession with shopping, or their absence of cooking skills.

The story:

Base the length of your story on how long the speech is. If it is a very short one, you can leave out a story altogether. Think of a story about fun times leading up to the wedding or a time when the groom or bride was there for an important time for you. Make it meaningful and heartfelt.

Conclusion:

Finish up your speech by wishing the best for the couple and making a small joke.

Practice:

After you have written out your speech, read it out loud and change things if needed. Make sure it is smooth and flows well when you move from one subject to the next. Practice your speech in a mirror until it is memorized. Rehearse facial expressions so they match what the speech says.

The big day:

Be sure not to drink a lot before your speech. Wait until after the speech to get loose. Relax and know that whatever you say will mean a lot to the couple. They are happy you are part of their special day and that they are able to share it with you. Be confident and speak clearly. Have a great time and most importantly, have fun.

How to find your Wedding Dress

By  at 07:10:00    
Finding your perfect wedding dress can be fun but also stressful. The following tips will help you find the right fit and look that you want.

Take your time:

Finding the right dress may take hours or even days. Plan for enough time to try on multiple dresses and make the right decision.

Shop where there are sizes:

Call ahead to bridal shops and ask if they carry different sizes. Some may only have samples in one size which makes it harder to get an idea of how they will look. Go to the stores that have dresses that are off-the-rack or those that have a variety of sample sizes.

Bring one friend:

It is better to have a person along who knows your style-sense. This will be a lot easier and less confusing than bringing along a group of people.

Dress appropriately:

Wear the kind of shoes and undergarments that you plan on wearing for your wedding. Have a bra that is strapless or ask if the shop has undergarments in your size that you can borrow. Your height of shoes will vary how the dress looks and fits so wear those similar to what you’ll wear on your big day.

Wear light or no makeup:

It is best to wear no makeup or lipstick so you don’t stain the dresses. If you do wear makeup, keep the fabric away from your face and wear water-based makeup and just lip balm for your lips.

Try various styles:

Try a full gown, an off-the-shoulder, a strapless gown, and a slender fit. This will help you determine what style looks the best on you. Place each dress into a maybe or no pile. Get rid of the no dresses and try on the maybes again. Do this until you have found two or three dresses that you like.

Try the complete ensemble:

After you have narrowed it down, put it all together. Put on the bustle, wear a veil, do the lace, buttons, and fasteners, and try different accessories.

Gather other opinions:

Others can give valuable opinions that you maybe can’t, or don’t want to, see. It is your decision but having others weigh in can help you find the best one.

Don’t make a quick decision:

If you aren’t completely sure of your decision, take a day to think about it. Often sleeping on it will help take the pressure off. Also check other stores to have more options.

Take your time and don’t stress out over finding the perfect dress. There are a lot of great options out there. Relax, have fun, and take the pressure off when you look for your gown.

How to Compose a Wedding Thank You Card

By  at 07:08:00    
You’ve returned from your honeymoon and are looking forward to starting your life together as a couple. Before you get too involved with day-to-day life, you need to make sure to write and send out thank you notes to everyone who gave you a wedding present. It is inconsiderate and in poor form to not send out a note and let your guests know how much you appreciate their generosity and thoughtfulness.

The following tips will help you write a nice, meaningful note and make the job easier.

- When you order your invitations, also order formal thank you cards with your monogram or married name. This will ensure that your wedding theme and colors will match throughout the whole process. If you want to spend less money, you can purchase thank you cards from a stationery or card store for a lot less.

- Buy more cards than you think you will need. You might receive more presents than you thought you would.

- Make sure each card is handwritten. Have your spouse help you write them to make it go faster. Make an evening out of it.

- Start out by mentioning the gift and inform the guest how you plan on using the item.

- Personalize the note by mentioning something special that the guest did for you, how great it was to see them, or how much you appreciate them traveling to attend your special day. If they weren’t able to attend the ceremony, mention how you missed their presence. A fun way to personalize the card is to include a picture of the guest and yourself taken at the wedding.

- If you got a gift at your shower or bachelorette party and a wedding gift, make sure you send separate thank you notes for each gift. It is important that you acknowledge each one.

- Make sure you send out thank you notes as quickly as possible. They should be sent out within two months of the big day, but two to three weeks is ideal. If you received a gift prior to the wedding, send the thank you card out right away so you have less to do when you return from your honeymoon.

If you want to add a bit of an artistic flair, use collectors’ stamps on the envelopes.

Make sure you send thank you cards to the wedding party and let them know how much you appreciate them sharing your big day. Also send cards to the wedding vendors and services that helped make your day special and important. A formal note is always expected, even if you already personally thanked them.

How to ask a Friend not to Bring their Kids to Your Wedding

By  at 07:06:00    
Your wedding day is an important day that you have been planning for a long time and you want everything to be perfect. One of the things you may be concerned about is having loud and obnoxious kids ruin your special day. If you have a friend who has kids who may disrupt your wedding, you may be thinking of how you can ask her or him to not bring them with. It is a sensitive subject and you have to be as tactful as possible if you don’t want to risk losing your friendship. You may want to ask them not to bring the kids to the wedding ceremony or just the reception.

When deciding whether to ask the kids not to come or how to approach it, take into account how close of a friend it is and how terrible the kids actually are. Also, some parents know that their kids are not well behaved and would understand if you asked them not to attend, while others will be more sensitive about the subject.

Keep in mind that if the friend is told she can’t bring her kids, then she may not attend either. Parents can get very protective and defensive about their children and be hurt by what you say. Take that into consideration and if having her there is important to you, you may choose to put up with the kids’ behaviors.

The easiest way to let a friend know that their kids are not welcome at your wedding is to ask someone else to tell them for you. Ultimately, the friend will realize that you are the one requesting it, but if you have a friend of yours who is also their friend tell her, you will avoid having to deal with the repercussions directly.

Rather than ask your friend directly to not bring her kids, there are two better options. One is to have her decide on her own not to bring them. If you can be subtle and give her reasons as to why she would have a better time without the kids around, the situation would be better for everyone. Another way is to make the decision that no kids are allowed at your wedding-either at the ceremony and reception or just the reception. If you state it in a tactful and nice way, most people will understand and respect your decision. That way you don’t personally hurt anyone’s feelings and everyone is on a level playing field. You won’t directly hurt your friend. And truthfully, weddings are usually more fun and less stressful for everyone without kids around.

How to Plan an Extravagant Wedding on a Budget

By  at 07:03:00    
Weddings can be very pricey. If you are on a budget and want to spend under $5000 for your big day, you may think that you have to go simple and cheap. This does not have to be the case. If you plan carefully, you can make it a lovely wedding that costs much less than you thought. The following tips and advice will help you plan your dream wedding on a budget.

Make a budget:

Sit down as a couple and talk about how much money you have to spend and what is important to both of you. There may be areas in which you want to spend more money and cut back on others. Agree as to what your wants are and stick to the budget.

Ensure you have ample time to plan:

If you begin the planning process 10-12 months in advance, you will have the best chance to save money by finding clearance deals and finding the right venue for your budget.

Make a list:

If you make a list of all the supplies you need it will be easier to keep with your budget because you won’t be tempted to buy things you want, only things that are needed.

Think simple:

Simple is not a bad thing. You can have an elegant and lavish wedding without spending a lot of money if you focus on keeping things simple.

Invite family and close friends:

Keep the number of people you invite fewer than 100. This will cost a lot less than a wedding with more than that. Keep it intimate. When you send invitations, you only need to send one per household, not guest. Include a note with the invitation requesting the names of family members who are invited.

Make it yourself:

When it’s possible, design things yourself. Beautiful centerpieces can be easily made on a budget with silk flowers and vases from the dollar store. Ask friends and family who are creative and artistically talented to help you.

Shop around:

Check out a number of places to find the best deals. Sometimes a smaller shop will be able to offer you better prices, or use online resources. For example, Vistaprint is very reasonable for invitations and save the date cards and often they will offer free shipping or free envelopes.

Have a buffet:

If you serve food buffet- style, your money will stretch quite a bit further than if you have plated meals. Shop around for caterers, or for even less money, have friends or family members make the food.

Have fun and enjoy planning your extravagant wedding on a budget. It will turn out perfectly.