Golf Balls ? How a small, round, dimpled sphere has the power to alter your game
In

today?s game, golf balls have become high-tech super-spheres that claim to do everything but hit

themselves! One popular golf ball claims ?long distance and super feel?, another ?longer distance, more

spin and control? and a third ?ultimate distance and control?. Confused? Might as well choose a golf ball

based on the colour of the box!

But wait! Playing the right golf ball for your game WILL enhance

your performance and overall enjoyment of the game. It?s just a matter of cutting through the spin to

find that ball.

To help you in your quest for the perfect golf ball, we?ll take you on a journey

from the humble beginnings of the golf ball through to today?s technologically advanced

balls.

The Early Days
In general, the larger the bag the heavier it will be ? despite

help from durable lightweight materials. Although the lightest designs now weigh in below 3lb, special

lumbar and/or hip padding is available for comfort and can make a real difference

In the earliest

days of golf, some 500 years ago, players used primitive equipment to play the game in a rather haphazard

and casual manner. The golf ball has undergone many upgrades and enhancements throughout its long life,

with several distinct stages:

Wooden ? Used from the mid 15th century, the first golf balls were

made from hardwoods such as beech. Often used in conjunction with wooden clubs, a round of golf would

have been a particularly jarring experience.

Featherie - In 1618 the Featherie golf ball was

invented and was used for nearly 250 years. These balls were made by stuffing wet goose feathers into a

hand stitched wet leather ball. As it dried the leather shrunk and the feathers expanded creating a hard

and compact ball. This time consuming process ensured the price was out of reach of the masses, often

selling for more than the price of a club.

Guttie - Rev Dr Robert Adams Paterson created the first

golf balls made from Gutta-percha in 1848. The ball was created from the dried sap of the tropical

sapodilla tree, which was heated up and formed into ball shapes. The improved performance and cheaper

costs of the Guttie contributed greatly to the expansion of the game.

Hand Hammered Guttie ? It was

also discovered that improperly smoothed balls often had a truer flight than the smoother versions, and

the Hand Hammered Guttie Ball, with an even pattern hammered on by hand, was born. By 1890, golf balls

were formed in iron moulds, and the Bramble design, with raised spherical bumps resembling a raspberry,

became the most popular ball of the Guttie era.

Rubber - The advent of the rubber ball changed the

face of golf as we know it. Invented by Coburn Haskell in 1898 it featured a solid rubber core wrapped in

rubber thread. Early Gutta-percha covers soon gave way to the Balata cover that was introduced in the

early 1900s. Although they looked like Gutties, the average golfer could gain an extra 20 yards off the

tee. So the guttie gave way to the aerodynamically superior dimple pattern, first used in 1908 and still

being used today.

Today?s Golf Balls ? Wonders of Multi-Layer Construction
In recent

years, the wound golf ball has largely been replaced by multilayer balls, resulting in a bewildering

selection of golf balls. To simplify, modern golf balls can be broken down into three main

categories.

Two Piece. This is a tough, durable golf ball usually with a large, solid inner core

and a hard Surlyn cover, generally designed to maximise distance through a high launch angle and low

levels of spin

Our Recommendation. Two-piece golf balls are what every beginner should play. With

less spin you are less likely to hook or slice the ball. At the same time you are likely to hit the ball

further. The price of two-piece balls tends to be less, meaning that they won?t take a large bite out of

your budget when they end up in the lake or the rough!

Multi-Layer. Typically made of three or four

layers in which the core is wrapped in one or two layers, the multi layer golf ball is usually preferred

by Tour players for the extra control it offers.

Three-piece. These have a large synthetic core, a

thin mantel and a cover. Sometimes, tungsten weights are used in the middle of the synthetic core for

optimised weight centering.

Four-piece. These multi-layer golf balls have a smaller inner core,

surrounded by an outer core, similar to the three-piece ball. This is then surrounded by a thin mantel

and a cover. Multi-layer balls are generally more expensive, and suited to the more experienced golfer.

They tend to have much better control and feel around the green, provide more spin, but don?t travel as

far and are less forgiving on hooks and slices.

Our Recommendation. Multi-layer golf balls are best

for the better player who can appreciate the benefits of extra spin control over and above

distance.

Wound. Much less common in today?s game, wound golf balls have a central core that has

been wrapped in rubber thread and then usually covered in Balata cover. These balls tend to be less

durable and often will not hold up to the average player?s round. They offer fantastic feel and have

great spin, though, stopping faster on the green ? but the trade-off is a lack in distance. Also, their

performance is affected by the temperature, with their distance and overall performance deteriorating in

temperatures below 20?C.

Very few people still use the wound balata ball, and it is likely to be

replaced altogether by the multi-layer ball. However, some professionals still like the extraordinary

feel and spin control required for finesse shots around the green.

Our Recommendation. This ball is

only really suitable for the best of the very best golfers.

Play to your strengths

Today?s golf balls use sophisticated construction techniques that have a direct impact on different

aspects of the game, including driving distance, approach control, putting roll, balance and cost. You

should select your ball according to which one suits the most important aspect of your game - what you

need most help with. Here?s our summary:

If you need distance (Ideal for mid to high

handicappers)
Too much spin will make the ball fly too high, and too little will reduce carry.

If you need distance and forgiveness go for a hard ball. The combined firmness of the cover and core

allow the ball to travel longer distances and be very durable, but be aware it won?t stop as well on the

green.

If you need spin (Ideal for better players)
A spin ball is constructed with a

cover that generates more spin when struck with a lofted club. This ball is better suited to play draw

and fade shots around obstacles and will stop well on the green. However, it will also be easier to slice

or hook shots.

If you are looking for ultimate control - distance and spin combined (Ideal

for very serious players)
A control golf ball has the characteristics of a distance ball with the

ability to stop quickly on the green, with allegedly less risk of hooking or slicing the golf ball than a

pure spin ball.

Other considerations

Slow Swingers. For golfers with a slower swing

speed, it is advisable to use a golf ball that is designed to maximise the driving distance for the

slower club head speed.
Ideal for ladies, seniors and less powerful players

Putting Perfection.

Different makes and models of golf ball will roll different distances on the putting green, with harder

balls tending to roll further. Bear in mind more expensive balls are likely to roll truer as well, due to

better balancing.

Play to your budget. It is better to play consistently with a golf ball you can

afford rather than a premium ball that you cannot afford to practice with. Also playing with damaged

balls will impact on your game, so it is better to play an affordable ball and replace it

regularly.

And Finally - Golf Ball Myths

More dimples result in a higher trajectory.

This is not true. The optimum number of dimples on a golf ball is between 350 and 450. It is the spinning

action of the golf ball, along with the depth of the dimples that determines the trajectory.

Golf

balls travel further when they are warm. Partly true, as colder temperatures will decrease a golf ball?s

velocity more than warm temperatures. However it is the air temperature that has more impact on the balls

distance than the temperature of the ball.

Find the best ball for your game
Here are

some of our favourite golf balls at Great Value Golf broken down into their performance strengths and the

golfers they are aimed at…

href="http://www.greatvaluegolf.co.uk/golf_equipment_golf_balls_guide_two.aspx">http://www.greatvaluegolf

.co.uk/golf_equipment_golf_balls_guide_two.aspx

Personalized Golf Tees
…the reality is that there are many perfect gifts that a golfer would
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There are many methods of golf instruction, from one-on-one training with a professional to group lessons. Golf instruction videos have many advantages over face-to-face classes or other learning methods such as books or audiotapes. You can both see and hear the instructions as you perform the task. The instructor on the video becomes your personal teacher taking you step-by-step through each skill. You can set your own pace and repeat the video over and over as needed. You can watch certain sections at any time of the day or night. If you are embarrassed about the weaknesses of your golf game, you can work on improving them in the privacy of your own home.

With thousands available you should have no problem finding the golf instruction video best for you. As with any training tool, you need to choose one that addresses your specific needs.

While some video ads make outrageous claims about its ability to improve your game, take it with a grain of salt. Look at your golf instruction video as a guide, not a guarantee. A golf instruction video will not magically transform your game. Watch the video several times, however, to make sure you have extracted all the tips and advice offered. Several small pieces of advice can add up to a big difference and big improvement.

A golf instruction video visually presents methods to improve your golf. Compare the visual examples provided with what you do yourself. Get someone to videotape your swing, putt or whatever you are working on with the video so you can see where you differ from the advice in the video. Look at posture and stance, backswing and follow through, and look for differences. It's not easy to see and correct your faults without taking a very close look.

Consider your fitness level. You can't take advantage of everything a golf instruction video has to offer without having muscles fit for golf. Try doing golf-specific exercises so that you can be sure that your muscles are ready to be trained for improved golf.

Ask other golfers if they have used a golf instruction video that has been helpful. While your needs may differ, you might find a different video from the same company if you get a good recommendation.

About the Author

Dr. Richard Myers provides the avid golfer with golf instruction video products to improve his or her golf game. Stop by www.thinkandreachpar.com and see what everyone is raving about!

Personalized Golf Balls
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Woman golf instruction sounds so barbaric that it almost shouldn't be used as a phrase to describe the difference in the teaching methods that are applied to help woman golfers become better at their golf game. However, the reality is that there are subtle differences in the way women golf compared to men golfers.

For instance, it's no big secret that women hold their golf clubs differently as well as swing differently during the course of the golfing experience. In order to properly improve the golf game for a lady an experienced golf instructor should be consulted, preferably one that specializes in woman golf instruction.

The main reason why women golfers approach the game and play differently when compared to their male counterparts is primarily due to the genetic makeup and body composition differences that occur naturally between a man and a woman. There are body parts on a woman (such as their chest) that have a tendency to interfere with a proper golf swing. In order to compensate for this physical difference a women's golfing instructor will need to teach them how to swing in a manner that allows them to get the maximum effective power and range form their golf swing.

Another physical difference is the strength advantage that men have over ladies. This is not meant in a derogatory way but it does explain why male golfers compete against other male golfers and women golfers compete against women golfers.

If you're a lady interested in an accomplished golf instructor teaching you proper woman golf instruction you should consider taking the time or opportunity to attend a golfing camp, school or clinic that offers specialized teaching for women interested in improving their golf game.

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Personalized Golf Ball Markers
If you are in the market for personalized golf ball markers, you will want to
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Any golfer looking to improve needs to get a golf ball shag bag. It doesn't matter if you have a

driving range at your home course or not you still need to practice your approach shots and short game

around the greens. This little innovative piece of equipment makes things a lot easier to pick up and

store the golf balls you use during practice.

These great little bags are skinny and cylindrical in

shape. They stand about two feet tall and have a small little tube (usually metal) that runs the full way

down the center of the bag. It's just a little wider than a golf ball and has three or four flexible

little metal teeth at the bottom or one end so the balls don't fall out. The top part of the tube is

covered with the actual bag part of this tool that holds the golf balls in it. There is a small zipper

that runs down the side of the bag so you can empty the balls out when you're ready to use them.

What

about the balls you ask? Well, just use the old balls in your bag or the ones you've found around the

course. Golfers will often refer to a found ball that is in bad shape as a "shag ball" and will use it in

their shag bag. You can also go to any store and get some refurbished golf balls really cheap to put in

the bag if you don't have enough old ones kicking around.

What you do with the golf ball shag bag is

pick up your golf balls after you're finished practicing or hitting them. The top part of the bag will

have a handle that you hold on to as you walk around picking up your balls. You simply go over to one of

your balls, position the bottom of the tube on top of the ball, and simply push down slightly until you

hear the ball click and go into the tube. Go over to the next ball and do the same thing until they're

all picked up. It's as easy as that, no effort or bending over to gather them up. The balls will start

piling on top of each other and climbing up the tube. As they reach the top of the tube they'll flow over

the top and down into the bag.

Golf ball shag bags are very simple to transport as they aren't very

heavy. They hold about 50 golf balls on average depending on what size bag you get. They fit easily into

the trunk of your car, or the bottom of your locker (if you're lucky enough to have one) at your golf

club. So golfers will even keep them with their clubs if they have club storage at their respective

clubs. Since a lot of golf clubs (specially the older ones) don't have a driving range these little

practice bags come in real handy for practicing short irons or your short game. They're also great if you

just want to warm up by hitting a few balls before a round without having to go to an offsite range.

Simply put these golf ball shag bags are great to have around. They will make your practice sessions

easier and quick so you don't waste any time. After all, every one has so little time to practice it's

important to use your time wisely. If you don't have one of these bags yet, go out and get one and watch

your game improve with practice.

About the Author

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Any golfer knows the role of the golf balls in their plays. No matter how good a golfer is, if he is

without golf balls then his skills have no value. Every golfer knows these facts. This is why golf balls

had become the primary commodities among golfers.

There is no general way to determine which

golf ball is best for individual players. This factor is almost entirely dependent on the golfer's own

preference, what he may do with the ball and how much will his pockets allow him.

For some, a

single brand of golf ball says it all. They would stick to them for as long as they would want and most

would never play if not playing with their particular brand of golf balls. Some people may call this

insanity but this is an individual preference.

While a number of golfers may be practicing this,

it is not thoroughly advisable to adopt this same attitude towards golf balls. The most ideal way of

choosing balls is to use common sense, especially for beginning golfers.

A beginning golfer

must never keep in mind what other people has to say about golf ball brands, may it be positive or

negative. It must be pointed out that loosing balls for beginners is natural and this would mean that he

need not focus yet on the quality or the brand name. What he needs is the low cost value the golf balls

offer.

The best option for beginners is to buy golf balls sold in bulk, around 50 balls or so

in a single bargain. These normally are balls that have been gathered from the greens and have been

"recycled". What's good with these used balls is that they are commonly branded (but that doesn't matter

actually) and one need not grieve for having lost any of such balls. On the average, losing a golf ball

is around a hundred percent for most beginners through sessions of hit practicing.

With upgrades

in the skills come the upgrades on the ball qualities. But this still don't suggest that intermediate

players should rush to nearby golfing supplies and buy the most expensive balls from there. The golfer

must not compromise price for his level of skill.

The golf balls he buys next will depend on

his skill level. If he has great tendencies on failing on hits, he still needs to stay put with cheap

balls. But this is not to the extent of using the same used balls. This time buy new inexpensive balls.
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If for instance the golfer usually miss-hit the balls, then the balata-covered balls is nor the

most appropriate ball to choose. Scratch players on the other hand would most likely prefer the golf

balls that would offer lesser spin and more control.

As the basic theories for golfing, and

most sports in that case explain, the skill improves with the frequency of playing. With improvements on

the golfer's skills, he may result to trying new golf ball brands. Through this, he may determine what

golf ball brands will suit him best. But this doesn't end here nor this factor decides what type of games

the golfer may produce. He still have to reconsider other golfing components such as the golf clubs, the

golf courses and other golfing accessories.

About the Author:

Robert Thatcher is a freelance

publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and

provides golf ball resources on

href="http://www.about-golf-balls.info">www.about-golf-balls.info.