Archiv für August, 2009

I Am New to Golf: What To Do

I am new to golf, so I started looking for tips on how to get started with this interesting and fascinating game. I am just starting with this game and if you are like me, here are the things we need to know about this game.

The first thing we have to do is to find clubs that are right for us. One thing we have to keep in mind in getting golf clubs is that we do not have to spend tons of money on golf until we know how to play it. As we all know this game can be quite expensive. But let us just take a step at a time as we will have plenty of time to buy those top-notch clubs.

We can actually buy top-notch clubs from manufacturers like Wilson, Dunlop, Ram, Knight etc. And, we can get bargains on club sets from Wal-Mart, Kmart and many others. There is also an option of garage sales or yard sales. I am new to golf so it is okay if the club is not that high end. And, anyway, they say that many experienced golfers buy a new set on a yearly basis, so I still have an option to change my clubs.

I have also learned that it is important that I take lessons and I can learn the game quickly through a golf academy. Or, I can get weekly lessons from a local pro. I think I would probably opt for a local pro so lessons can focus on what is good for me. Pro sessions can usually range from around $30 for a lesson that would range from 30 minutes to an hour. In addition, golf videos are also helpful.

Most importantly, I would have to practice what I have learned. And, as I am new to golf, I would opt for a driving range as I can hit a bucket of balls there and nobody would care less if my shots are terrible. Driving ranges also have practice putting greens. And, some can even have practice chipping areas and sand bunkers.

Another good place for me is our back yard. This is a good place I find to practice swinging, though I would not want to hit golf balls in the backyard as some accidents can happen if I do. And lastly, if I want to play, I can opt for Par 3 courses, which they say are good for beginners. Par 3 courses are usually nine holes. And, I would probably find a course that does not receive a ton of play. Too many people watching can be quite intimidating for me. If I am new to golf, then following these steps can help enjoy the game better.

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Three Golf Balls That May Improve Your Game

With so many great golf balls on the market, here is some information that may help you find the ball just for you.

The Titleist Pro V1 - Professional Grade
The Titleist Pro V1 golf ball is must-have for the bag of any serious golfer. The Pro V1 is tour tested and approved by many of the professionals on the circuit. It’s true that the price is steep, but when you can get used Titleist golf balls at a huge discount there’s no reason not to try them.

So what sets the Titleist Pro V1 apart from other golf balls? To start with, you can chalk up a longer driver distance and sweet compression on the swing. A solid core holds it steady on the long drives and the urethane elastomer cover makes the ball softer and more responsive to the touch.

The outer layer includes a high coverage 392 dimple design - an upgrade introduced on the Titleist Pro V1 - and the innovative Alignment Integrated Marking (A.I.M.) stamp that makes alignment during putting a breeze.

While getting to the green is easily achieved with many long-driving balls, they don’t help if they spin out of control or bounce well beyond the mark. The Titleist Pro V1’s wicked Drop-And-Stop control holds your place on the green like no other golf ball.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if the Titleist Pro V1 is good enough for the pros, it’s going to be great for your game.

The Srixon Z-URS Outperforms
If you’re currently using Titleist Pro V1 or Callaway HX Tour 56 golf balls, then Srixon wants to talk to you. The company believes that the Srixon Z-URS is a much better ball than what the others offer and they are prepared to back it up.

The Srixon Z-URS is designed to provide extreme high velocity for insane distance off the tee. Its tough, larger than normal, Energetic Gradient Growth core also delivers a low-speed, high-angle launch to provide the carry needed for long distance. Combine that with a high-trajectory, 330 dimple configuration and you’ve got performance you won’t find in the other balls.

But you won’t be sacrificing control for all that distance you’ll be racking up. The Srixon Z-URS golf ball has a urethane cover that is formulated for softness and spin control. For the short game, the Srixon Z-URS is unsurpassed at saving you strokes after your initial drive.

You know your game and Srixon knows its Z-URS golf ball can improve it. Put it to the test, because you have nothing to lose but a lot of needless strokes.

Bridgestone B330-S Is Consistently The Best
When the Bridgestone B330-S tour balls hit the scene, they were considered the ultimate tour caliber golf ball available to us non-professionals. And because of Bridgestone’s innovative injection-molding process, the B330-S balls you buy today still consistently meet those high standards.

Bridgestone took its research and development international with the B330-S to find the latest cutting-edge technology money could buy. The result is the Bridgestone B330-S’s superior performance and exceptional distance.

The B330-S features a unique seamless cover technology that ensures deeper and consistent dimple coverage for excellent aerodynamics and accuracy. The Bridgestone B330-S also boasts the “Soft Speed Elasticity Core” for vastly increased distance and an inomer inner layer that speeds up acceleration.

Control is a given with the Bridgestone B330-S. You don’t get rave reviews from the pros by putting out a hard ball that doesn’t provide a nice touch for putting. The soft urethane cover gives a sweet, cushy feel that you can propel with great control.

The keyword with the Bridgestone B330-S is consistency. The same great game you - and the professionals - found with the B330-S is still available. And if you haven’t tried it, you’re not too late to get some tour quality, highly-rated golf balls in your bag.

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How A Driving Range Can Be A Different Experience

It is really funny how golf driving ranges or practice facilities and the driving range equipment they use are so different even though they are trying to serve the same customer base. I will give you two distinct examples of a high-end practice facility and for a lack of a better term a lower-end driving range. Both of these facilities are within twenty minutes from my house. Keep in mind that both of these practice facilities are charging the basically same rates they are two totally different experiences.

The first driving range experience that we will walk through is the lower-end driving range. Even though the facility is located close to a busy retail area, you will pull up into their gravel parking lot. From there you proceed into their wooden building to purchase tokens for the range ball dispenser and as many rusted range ball baskets that you plan to use. I do not know how old their range ball dispenser is, but I would almost bet it was one of the first one ever made! HAHA

Once you have your golf practice balls, you then proceed to the golf mats. You may wonder how come at this point you do not proceed to the grass hitting area, well, you can. However, when you arrive at that part of the facility you better be ready to practice off of a golf tee as you will only find tufts of grass left to hit off of for the majority of the year.

While hitting your range balls, you will more than likely be interrupted by the loud farm tractor better known as the facility’s driving range picker.

Once you are finished with your practice time, you can sit in your air conditioned car and enjoy a cold soda from the soda machine. I have learned correct change is better.

To enter the other driving range experience, you pull into their landscaped and paved parking lot. and we enter the literal club house that has a snack bar, meeting rooms and a golf shop full of new golf equipment. You pay for your range basket and fill it as full as you would like without extra range balls falling out.

You then walk out to the practice tee which is large enough and maintained through proper bag stand rotation and turf grass maintenances. There are additional practice areas for putting, chipping pitching, green-side bunkers and fairway bunkers. You can practice all of the different aspects of your golf game. In addition, this facility has PGA Teaching Professionals on staff and they have a very active clinic schedule and offer individual lessons as well.

After practicing, you can sit in the snack bar and be served a soda or adult beverage while watching their big screen tv. They have tables scattered throughout the area as well as some comfortable chairs and a couch to catch your breath in between practice sessions.

It is amazing to me that both of these facilities exist so close to each other while charging the about the same prices.

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Lose Yourself in Pattaya

Pattaya is a beautiful sea-side resort destination, situated along a breathtaking bay on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand, in eastern Thailand. Located about 140 km east of Bangkok, Pattaya was once a fishing village, which has been now transformed into one of the most sought after vacation spots in Southeast Asia, providing an incomparable variety of attractions and activities, ranging from sightseeing to recreational and fun. In short, Pattaya is truly a paradise that caters to every type of tourist.

Pattaya’s prime attraction is undoubtedly its fantastic beaches. Most significant among the beaches is North Pattaya Beach, which starts from the Dolphin roundabout. Another popular beach is Middle Pattaya Beach, acknowledged as the ‘beach of fun.’ The beach area is dotted with an array of shopping malls, boutiques, and bars and restaurants. Located next to the Middle Pattaya Beach is another great beach, namely, South Pattaya Beach, with a range of exciting night clubs and discotheques.

Other popular beaches in the area are Jomtien Beach, Wong Beach, and Koh Lan beaches, located about seven kilometers off the Pattaya shore. Each of the Pattaya’s beaches is clean and safe, and provides a great atmosphere to relax and unwind.

However, Pattaya’s attractions are not just confined to its beautiful serene beaches, but beyond that. Spread across 40 acres of lush green area is Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, a zoo with a variety of crocodiles. In addition, it has such attractions as 200-year-old bonsai trees and several gigantic stones. Also, an interesting attraction in the island is Pattaya Bottle Museum, exhibiting ships in bottles as well as other strange items. In addition, theme parks are aplenty in Pattaya, such as, the Pattaya Water Park Beach Resort.

Other fantastic attractions in Pattaya are Khao Pattaya, a small hill located south of the Pattaya Beach; Ko Khrok, an islet surrounded by amazing rock formations; Ko Sak, a small island that takes after a an upturned horse-shoe; Mini Siam, which boasts of magnificent replicas of incredible architectural works such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, and the Statue of Liberty; and Panarak Park with superb fishing facilities.

As it is home to an incredible variety of beaches, Pattaya offers superb options to enjoy a range of such activities as sand castle building, beach tennis, kayaking, parasailing, water skiing, and snorkeling. With three international standard bowling alleys, Pattaya offers great option to enjoy bowling. A visit to Pattaya would be incomplete without taking a tour to the Pattaya Elephant Village, featuring daily life of elephants as well as their masters, apart from providing opportunities to a range of activities such as elephant riding and hand feeding elephants.

For horse riding enthusiasts, a school operates here with more than 30 horses as well as an indoor stadium. Similarly, if you are a golf freak, then head to any of the four golf courses in the area with international standards.

For those who want to explore the sheer beauty of the island, then one of the best ways is to take a pony trek along the beautiful hills and forested areas of the region. If you are looking something unique during your stay at Pattaya, then suitable options are available to you in the form of paintball competitions. Likewise, if want to have something interesting, then head to any of the boxing camp or professional training camp in order to spectacle amazing Thai boxing.

Above all, Pattaya offers a range of activities for kids, including bungee jumping, go-karting, and fishing.

Nightlife - With a variety of nightclubs, karaoke, and bars and restaurants coupled with live music and dance performances, discos, cabarets, Pattaya’s nightlife is truly vibrant.

Gastronomy - From spicy, traditional Thai dishes to Chinese, Thai, Italian, Indian and French cuisine - the restaurants and eateries in Pattaya caters to every type of dining. Also, worth mentioning are the sea food specialties available in restaurants, located along the South Pattaya and Jomtien beaches.

Accommodation - The growing number of vacationers in the region has led to a significant increase in the number of Pattaya hotels. You can choose from a range of hotels, ranging from budget accommodation to luxury ones. Majority of the hotels and resorts are placed along the beautiful beaches of Pattaya.

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Technology Improves Golf Accessories for Golfers

Day by day new inventions and innovations in technology certainly improves games and its player’s performance. These new technical advantages make the games more powerful and with extra ordinary presentation in games. In golf also it is true and golf players also like these new technical innovations to improve their performance. These newer technology makes the game easy and with more fun. In golf equipments and golf accessories also day by day new technical modernism keeps the game live. If we talk about golf accessories then now golf accessories like golf putters and GPS system helps players to improvise their recital. Golf is the game with difference and its golf equipments and golf accessories also changed time by time with newer technology. Professional players also always aware of these improvements in golf equipments and golf accessories. They try to find out these latest technical changes how far help them to get better result in the game of golf. Players like anything which helps to improve their all over performance in the game. Golf accessories like golf shoes and golf putters now with new technology and it make the game more comfortable and more enjoyable. So ultimately these technical modifications improve the game of golf and also its player’s performance in the game.

Golf is a sport that comes with an almost insane amount of access

ories. Everything from the golf clubs to the golf cart is covered, and you will have countless options for personalizing everything. The accessories range from completely useless to very clever and valuable. So you will have to decide whether you want to spend your money on a gimmicky little item or whether you want something that will really come in handy out on the golf course. Golf accessories like golf tees, golf balls and golf shoes are vital to play a better game and without them you can not play well. Now take golf balls they are the important ones so golf equipments manufactures always try to redesign the golf balls and they are trying with new technical aspects of the golf balls to help the golf players. In short whatever may the golf accessory conclusion is that new innovations in golf accessories really help the golfers and these inventions improve the performance of the golf players which makes the game of golf more competitive and professional.

If you are in need of such technically improved golf accessories then visit http://www.golf247.co.uk/ .

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GPS Overload - How to Choose the Perfect Device for Your Needs

Buying a Global Positioning System (GPS) to meet your needs may not be as simple as one might think. There are a myriad of different devices, for many different purposes.

The first thing to consider when buying a GPS device is its primary use. Will you be using it on the road, on the trail, or on the water?

On the road devices are usually temporary mounted in the vehicle with suction cups or bean bags. Most of these devices have turn-by-turn instructions and auto correction if you miss a turn.

We recommend getting a device with the auto-correction feature, that way you don’t have to mess with the device if you take a wrong turn, it will recalculate the route for you automatically.

There are some devices that are also portable, so you can unplug them from your vehicle and take them with you as you walk around in a large city.

My favorite in this category is the Garmin c330, c340, and c530 series. They are a wonderful size for using it in the vehicle and small enough to use as a portable. They have city maps pre-loaded, so they are not much use off-road.

Many of the newest designs have built in picture viewers, MP3 players, traffic updates (careful, that usually costs extra!!), and many other bells and whistles.

One of the best features of the Garmin c-series line is the ability to ask for the closest landmarks, such as food, gas, shopping, golf courses, etc.

Like anything you buy, make sure you understand what the device has and what you want to use for before making the final decision!

One of the most asked questions is should I buy the car with GPS already in it?

Personally, I don’t like that option because it limits how you can upgrade, and the device cannot be used in multiple vehicles.

In addition, some car manufacturers are charging several hundred dollars to update the map data on these devices and you have little choice in using them to do this.

The GPS market is an ever changing market and I like to be in control of which device I want to purchase.

Having said that, I am choosing to have a device mounted to my dash or windshield (suction cups….also illegal in some states, so make sure you know which ones!!!) with wires trailing to the power source.

On the trail devices are handhelds which depict topographical, or basic mapping data, not detailed street level details. These are great for hiking and geocaching. They have the ability to either import or download coordinates of a location (called waypoints) and then tell you how close you are to that waypoint.

Ever fear of getting lost hiking, well, you can set different points as you walk, like a breadcrumb trail so you can get yourself out the way you came in. These devices range from $80-$500+ depending on the different capabilities of the device.

Higher end models allow you to buy pre-loaded map detail on memory cards, so they can double as driving directions, however, they still don’t have the turn-by-turn capabilities.

GPS devices used on the water are fixed mount devices. These devices can have water depth, temperature, etc, especially helpful for the fisherman.

Maps that can be downloaded can have tidal waters, known shipwrecks, ports, and are very detailed. There is a huge range of devices to consider in this area.

Keep in mind that mapping software used on these devices changes about 1-2 times per year. Less frequently for the maps on the water.

Understand what your devices downloading capabilities are so you don’t get stuck with outdated maps forever!

Be aware that maps change, you have to be somewhat flexible when following the directions. I have had instances where it tells you to “turn left here”, only to have that be the wrong way on a one-way street!!!

In other words, these are guides to get you close to where you need to be, you cannot use them as gospel….common sense should prevail!

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Nokia 6500 Slide Vs Nokia N95 Sport: Risen Above Perfection

Nokia has always been one of the best mobile phones manufacturers all over the world. This company has an exclusive collection of mobile phones ranging from the inexpensive ones to the very high end and classy ones. The best feature about the Nokia mobile phones is that these gadgets are very durable. The company also believes in delivering high quality performance to its customer. It has also won many laurels and appreciations for its wonderful achievements in the telecommunications sector. This is the most preferred brand among all kinds of people for its powerful and impressive phones. There are many mobile phones in the market which are equipped with maximum features for the customers to pick that phone. But those phones need to have a unique selling feature as well foe the customers to pick it among the clutter of other phones.

This article is a detailed discussion and analysis on the features and specifications of the Nokia 6500 slide & Nokia N95 sport. Both these phones by Nokia have made a remarkable name in the mobile phones industry however the former wins the race. The Nokia 6500 Slide has all the features which are possibly needed in a mobile phone in fact much more than that. This phone has all the desirable features required in a handset. It is packed in a powerful and solid body and filled with the interesting and interactive applications and functionalities. This phone has interactive games like High Roller Casino, Golf Tour, Rally 3D and Snake 3 which can keep the user engaged all day.

It is a Third generation phone popularly known as 3G network phone which is GSM enabled. The main attraction of this phone is the 3.2 Megapixels camera with the Carl Zeiss optics. This brand of optics is supposed to be the best in the market today and is generally used in the digital cameras. This directly implies that this phone can easily satisfy the needs of a digital camera and completely replace the need to possess one. In addition to this, the Nokia 6500 Slide has a flash which helps the user to capture pictures even in the poor lighting conditions. It also has autofocus and digital zoom. With a stainless steel body the user will have to worry less about maintenance of the phone.

This phone gives a dependable battery back up of 6 hours of uninterrupted and continuous talk time and 310 hours of standby. With the above specifications one can easily make out that this phone can hold on for a day and a half or even more by charging it for just few hours.

On the other handset of Nokia n95 sport is a highly phone with the snazzy looks and enhanced features. The main appealing factor of this phone also is the camera. This phone is blessed with the 5 Megapixels camera with the very popular Carl Zeiss optics. This feature gives the users the privilege of capturing aesthetically pleasing and grainless images. These pictures actually give a live experience of the moment captured. The images are truly colourful and vibrant with the help of the resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels. In addition to this, it also has flash and autofocus. This handset has an internal memory of 8GB which is absolutely massive for a mobile phone. With such a huge storage capacity the users can easily store a lot of data and not worry about the space in the phone.

This phone has a 2.8 inches wide TFT screen which enhances the viewing and navigating experience of the user. This is accompanied by the resolution of 240 x 320 pixels with an ability to display 16 Million colours. The Nokia N95 sport has been upgraded with the GPS navigation system which means that the user will not have to carry maps to a new place as this handset has more than 100 maps installed in it to help the user find directions easily.

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