Archive for April, 2009

Golf Carts: Great For Golf, But What About All The Other Uses?

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

When most people think golf carts they think of a buggy that takes a golfer and his golf clubs around the course. And that’s a fair assumption seeing that is what they were originally produced for. But in this day and age there are other uses apart from the obvious.

Many large companies with many warehouses or factories also find a need for golf carts. Traveling to and fro between buildings is made easier and faster when using a golf buggy. These little buggies are not only convenient but also can be very useful along with the fact that they can be affordable.

You will find many manufacturers that produce these golf carts in either a manual push and pull, electric or gas version. Some can carry passengers as well as a golf bag.And for the people who like to be a little different there are companies that make custom versions to satisfy that individual need.

You don’t have to have a custom version to be a little different as you can just add some ATV wheels to make yours stand out from the others if that is what you wish.

If you are a fanatic golfer or just an occasional golfer then golf carts are still a great way to get around that 9 or 18 hole course. Of course you can purchase your own or you have the option of hiring one as well. Many courses have them for hire for reasonable prices but there may not always be one available. So if you don’t like disappointments then perhaps you should consider buying one.

A good idea is to check out the many online manufacturers that make reliable and affordable golf carts for you to choose from before making any rash decision.

Remember, whether you are a golfer or you just need the cart for convenience and versatility in your business or home you will find a wide range to choose from on the web.

Susan Dean is the webmaster and publisher of
http://www.discount-golf-carts.com Visit her site for discount golf carts of all types.

New Rules for Forming an Online USGA Golf Club

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Commencing January 1, 2006, the USGA published new guidelines in the USGA Handicap Manual on forming a “golf club” and attaining a sanctioned USGA golf handicap. Forming such a golf club is relatively easy and free. It is important for golfers to understand the new regulations and take advantage of the new rules in order for them to have greater access to a USGA golf handicap index over the Internet.

One of the most important new rules established by the USGA is that golf clubs can be effectively virtual and not associated with a green grass physical location. This means that golf clubs can now be created by members and can be accessed throughout a local community online. These virtual club members may not initially know each other prior to joining the golf club and are solicited by an online service can obtain a sanctioned USGA golf handicap online.

In this regard, the USGA has allowed for three types of golf clubs to coexist equally and offer a handicap and each club must determine its type and they are;

1. It is located at a single specific golf course with a USGA Course Rating and USGA Slope Rating where a majority of the club’s events are played and the club’s scoring records reside; or

2. Its members are affiliated or known to one another via business, fraternal, ethnic or social organization. The majority of the club members had an affiliation prior to organizing the club; or

3. The members had no prior affiliation and a majority of the recruiting and sign-up of the membership is done by solicitation to the general public (e.g., newspaper, Internet).

It is the type 3 club which is of special interest to the every day golfer who does not have access to a private country club membership. In fact, almost 80% of all USGA handicaps are associated with member of such private clubs, leaving only the remaining 20% for the general public golfer. Further, historically, private membership represents less than 20% of the general golfer population which is estimated to be around 26,000,000 in North America. Said another way, over 20,000,000 golfers did not have access to a valid USGA golf handicap in the United States and Canada because they are not members of a private golf club (type 1).

The new regulations allow for online golf handicap services to flourish since it reaches the masses of golfers through the Internet. Benefits for such online golf handicap services include;

• Posting your scores are accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Traveling golfers as well as those who play for fun and do not have access to a posting kiosk can do so anywhere the Internet is available;

• Tracking a complete history of scores ensures that a golfer can monitor trends. For better or worse, those trends are inputted in to build a plan for game enhancement;

• Playing in local, state and national tournaments are now available with the new handicap rules from the USGA. Online golf handicap services offer the player the ability to print an up to date golf handicap card complete with a sanctioned USGA handicap. Players only need to submit the printed card into the tournament office to play in those events;

• Other statistics such as game correlation, par percent, average putting per game, per hole, average drive distance and more are available on many advanced services;

• Equalizing a game with others so players can adjust the scoring when playing with players of unequal skill.

Experienced golf handicap services allow golfers who live within a 50 mile radius of an established virtual club which has been created by either existing or newly formed golf clubs. Golfers join clubs simply by inputting a zip code of the golfer’s home or place of business and the online systems of the leading online handicap services assigns the golfer to the appropriate virtual type 3 golf club within seconds.

Peer review is established by accessing online tools which show all golfers statistical history in the club including; rounds played, scores, USGA handicap and other pertinent information. Further, a committee and chairman are established to ensure additional governance. As well, each golfer is solicited to play with at least one other golfer in the club three times in a year and play in an organized club event in order to comply with the USGA guidelines.

For those members who do not live within a 50 mile radius of an established club or do not have an interest in a USGA designation, leading Online services offer a Recreational Handicap (which may not be used at a USGA sanctioned golf tournament) with the same features and benefits including; trending reports, performance analysis, golf handicap, and other statistical and tracking information. Whether the golfer seeks a USGA or Recreational handicap, the cost of membership is typically very inexpensive and can be an important component of monitoring and bettering a golfer’s game through personal analysis.

Handicapping has come a long way and 2006 is a break away year in that the USGA has broadened its scope by allowing the general golf community to create and manage online clubs.

Paula Chusid is President of NetHandicap, Inc. A certified Chartered Accountant who worked at such firms as Coopers & Lybrand and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. As a Principle in PWC, Paula managed the small business group. Rounding off here career prior to NetHandicap, Paula worked in various non-profit organizations as a director.

Internet Sports Betting Keeps Bettors Gambling

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Internet based gaming world wide websites are mainly modulated through the agency of three federations. These organizations are the OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and finally the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA). legal online sports wager

The Offshore Gaming Association is a nonpartisan authority that presently watches the thriving offshore gambling trade, they intend to supply sports betters access to easily discover reliable enterprises to play games of luck with. It aims to guard client’s rights, also they charge no annual charges. The agency is an expert and neutral third party affiliation that conveys non-biased conclusions, established around your assessments, objective inquiry, chats, insider tips and additionally offers industry information.

The Interactive Gaming Council are a not-for-profit administration. The organization was created to allow a forum for interested participants to discuss the latest subjects and also to advance shared interests in the international interactive betting business, to ensure trustworthy not to mention competent trade precepts and forms that endeavor to raise client trust in online gaming commodities and benefits, also to assist as the sports gambling industry’s extensive procedure advisor and the Interactive Gaming Council also offers a data base of operations.

The IGC has built up a distinction for upholding honesty, stability and in addition sincerity due to its scrupulous standards, also its appeal for commercial enterprises of exemplary conduct. The Interactive Gaming Council governs offshore gambling by means of championing a unique ten step code of conduct and in addition bills sports gambling web sites fees for featuring the council’s logo. Unsatisfied customers can furthermore air any of their issues to the Interactive Gaming Council.

The FTGA has been established in a venture to construct a standard which will improve the policies of computer accessible sports gambling trading operations. The Interactive Gaming Council understand that through partnering with enterprises of good reputation, they can form an affiliation of the most fair and professional online gambling operations in the world at large. To sum up, these are councils who supervise the transactions of live gaming and which should with luck assist to ease some of the misgivings experienced by doubters. On-line betting websites are altogether harmless, due to the fact that individual details are not demanded also the dividends not to mention the odds are as a rule as uniform and reasonable as in your familiar Vegas-type wager. These web sites minimize traveling expenditure, but nevertheless keep the original ethos, but today you can wager in the comfort of your beloved surroundings.

Golf’s Backseat Driver

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Ever go golfing with someone who is generous enough to offer you personalized tips every time you go to make a shot? You know, the type of golfers who tell you during your backswing that you should keep your head down? If that’s not irritating enough, these golfers usually play worse than the rest of us but adamantly claim to understand the theory of golf.

Even if our resident Pro is a decent golfer, it is extremely difficult to maintain concentration and enjoy yourself when someone is criticizing your every shot. It’s golf’s version of the backseat driver.

While I can’t speak for the majority, I personally have enough to think about during my 18 holes besides someone telling me how to change my 20 year old habits. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will never be a great golfer. I understand and accept that I have neither the time nor the desire to bring my game to the next level. If I did, I’d take lessons and practice non-stop. All I have to gain from my round is pure enjoyment of the game, the beautiful outdoors, and being with the boys.

On the rare occasion I have had the opportunity to play with some scratch golfers who have either had a unique ability to keep their tips to themselves or simply just didn’t care enough to comment. These are the times when my playing gets better. Ironically enough, these are also the times that I get the best golf tips.

The last time I was with a scratch golfer, I was slicing terribly. At about the 5th hole, after I sent my ball deep into the adjacent subdivision, my scratch partner simply said, “slow down your swing.” Sure enough, my next drive I kept my swing slow and easy and hit it straight down the fairway. Each hole from there on in got progressively better and this tip has helped me for years to this day.

The conundrum is obvious; do I like being told on the course how to play better golf? No, not really. But in this case, it really helped my game. I settled down after an opening 7 followed by a 10 and managed to squeak out a 103 for 18 holes. The key here, in my opinion, is to limit the golf tips provided by our well meaning partners. When you are told at each shot to try something different, it leads to nothing but disaster. It causes one to think too much. However, throw in the odd tip here and there and major improvements can be made.

So how does one deal with golf’s version of the backseat driver? I personally think the best way is to ignore all comments if they keep coming in rapid fashion. Sure, the odd golf tip may help and should be considered. But, a relentless attack on your game leads to nothing but higher scores.

Mike Wyman is co-owner of the singles dating site http://www.DateAGolfer.com, the perfect place for golf singles to find their golfmate. He also runs http://www.PuttingForPar.com, a site specializing in the sale of personalized golf ball markers which make a great golf gift.

What Can A Golf Exercise Routine Do For Those Who Are Happy With Their Game

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Can a golf exercise routine be useful to a golfer who is happy with the current quality of their game?

You bet it can. While there are many useful benefits of a golf exercise routine to a person’s game even when they are happy with their current form, exercises have many other benefits that a golfer can enjoy and benefit from.

For example, lower back pains are fairly common on the course. And so is fatigue hence you will see some golfers form deteriorate as the game proceeds.

They are simply getting more and more tired. The more tired they get, the worse their game gets because they even start to lose concentration at critical moments.

Did you know that just a single exercise within a good golf exercise routine can greatly strengthen your back to the extent where you will be able to play 18 holes without breaking a sweat? Or even hit balls the whole day without feeling that lower back pain.

This lower back pain could either be caused by strain and fatigue as the golf swing usually utilizes the lower back muscles to a great exetent.

Or it could easily be an injury. Golf exercise routines will deal with both instances in that they greatly help a golfer reduce on their risk of getting injured in the first place.

Many golf injuries are caused by the golfer over-straining certain muscles as they desperately try to get the swing technique right and improve their scores.

The muscles and body are not prepared to be stretched to the limit and the result for a golfer not involved in any golf exercise routine can be a nagging injury that will keep them off the course for a long time. It could even be the dreaded injury that will tend to recur the moment they think they are healed and start to play the game again.

Golf exercise routines will help you avoid these situations.