Here's The Golf Course To Play In Maui

I recently had the opportunity to play the Makena South Golf Course on Maui. It is claim to the prettiest golf hole on Maui, which is the par 3 15th hole. We were fortunate to have great weather during our play at the Makena South Golf Course.

The 15th hole tee area is extremely elevated, which provides a breathtaking view of the ocean and the island of Lana'i. I took several pictures from the tee box with the multiple shades of blue and aqua green ocean in the background. The view from the golf tee was like something from a postcard.

The hole measures 188 yards from the back tees and almost plays that yardage with the prevailing tradewinds blowing, but we played it with very little wind and it played almost 2 clubs shorter. The course was in immaculate condition and the greens were a tough read with a lot of undulation. The service was excellent from the proshop to the guys getting our golf cart ready.

This was a great golf experience and one that I won't forget. There were many holes that had great views of the Pacific Ocean and I took in as much of the scenery as I could without slowing play.

I'll definitely be playing the Makena South Golf Course again the next time I'm back in Maui. I highly recommend this golf course to anyone visiting the island of Maui. Have you every played the Makena South or North golf courses? If so I'd like to hear about your golfing experience.

Tag(s): golf, golf reviews, golf course

Do You Have A Good Putting Tempo?

When golfers think about tempo they usually think about their golf swing, which is a good thing because a good swing tempo means consistent golf and scoring.

There's also putting tempo and not many golfers realize that this is just as important as swing tempo. While alignment and a straight back and straight through putting stroke are important, your tempo or rhythm is probably more important. Your putting stroke tempo will control the speed and distance of your putts. If you have a good putting tempo then your speed and distance will be consistent from putt to putt.

A good putting stroke tempo or rhythm is defined as one that has a constant speed going back and coming back through. Just like the pendulum of a grandfather clock going back and forth at a constant speed. A putting stroke with good tempo is controlled by the arms and shoulders where the backstroke and follow-through move at the same speed and are of equal lengths. The putter just acts as an extension to your arms and is along for the ride.

To see if you have a good putting stroke tempo take your putter and make a putting stroke without a golf ball. Pay attention to the speed going back and coming back through. Also notice the distance you take the putter back and follow-through. If you notice that either the speed or distance are not equal then you know you need a little work. You may need a golf buddy to watch and tell you if your tempo is off. Continue to do this until you feel like both the speed and distance of the takeaway and follow-through are the same.

Then get a few golf balls and try it at home on the carpet or on the practice putting green. It may take a little bit to get used to it, but it will be well worth it. You should see an immediate improvement of your speed and distance control the next time you're on the practice putting green.

Let me know if this putting tip helps you out.

Tags: golf, golf tips, golf instruction, golf lesson

Why You Should Chip From The Bunker

One of the toughest golf shots for most golfers is from the green-side sand trap mainly for two reasons; 1) they rarely practice their sand shots, 2) they don't know the correct technique to hit from the sand trap.

Here's a really simple golf tip to hit a sand trap shot when the bunker is firm with a medium to small lip and you have some green to work with.

What I like to do in these cases is use a 7 or 8-iron to chip the golf ball out of the bunker. Noticed how I said chip the ball instead of blast the ball. This is important because you want to hit the golf ball first as you would with a chip shot. The idea is to get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible so it can run out to the hole. On occasion I've even used a 5 or 6-iron to chip the ball out of the green side bunker when I've had a lot of green to deal with.

When you're able to get the golf ball on the green sooner and run it out its easier to judge the distance. Also, chipping the ball is a lot easier for most golfers than blasting the ball out with a sand wedge. No you still can't ground your club so I would suggest trying this a few times at the practice sand trap the next time you're at the range.

Let me know if the golf tip helps you out on your next round of golf.

Tags: golf, golf tips, golf instruction, golf lesson

Do You Golf With The Brush-T?

I'm sure you've seen or at least read about the Brush-T (r) that's used as a golf tee. You know the one with brush bristles that's used to hold the golf ball up like a golf tee does.

The manufacturer Brush-T claims that the flexibility of the bristles allows the golf ball to be struck with a minimum of resistance, which in turn, is said to increase distance and minimize deflection and shot dispersion. They also state that it allows the golf ball to be supported by mostly air, which in causes more kinetic energy to be transferred to the golf ball, allowing it to fly longer and straighter.

The other side benefit is that it provides a consistent tee height every time and is durable enough to be used numerous times. The Brush-T comes in 2", 2.2", 2.4", and 3 1/8" sizes.

When it comes to golf gadgets like this I just have a hard time believing it provides any value to a golfer. The golf articles and advertisements I've read never state how much longer and straighter the ball flies. What if the golf ball only goes an 1" farther and 1/2" straighter?

Have you ever used the Brush-T during a round of golf? If so I'd like to hear what you have to say.

Tag(s): golf, golf reviews, golf equipment, golf products

How To Make A Consistent Golf Swing

Every golfer knows that there's no substitution for practice, but when you do hit golf balls on the range you want to make sure you're doing the right things for your golf swing. There are several things I do or try to do while I'm practicing on the golf range, but I'll only go into one of those in this post.

What I try to visualize is a steel rod going through the top of my head and down through my spin. This is to help me keep my spine angle during my golf swing. When I make a golf swing I'm making sure that I'm rotating on the rod through out the entire swing. This helps me make a full turn on my golf swing and keeps my head in position (not dipping or coming up).

A lot of golfers have a tendency to lose their spine angle during their golf swing, which leads to a lot of inconsistent and poor shots. Being bent over to much creates fat shots and too upright causes thin shots and the dreaded shank.

I've found if I do this then my striking of the golf ball becomes much more consistent and my confidence on the golf course becomes high. I end up hitting more fairways and greens in regulation. I suggest you do this with a golf buddy so he can tell you if you're keeping your spin angle constant.

I hope on the golf range or golf course this golf swing tip helps you drop a few strokes.

Tags: golf, golf tips, golf instruction, golf lesson

Save $100's On Your Next Golf Vacation

Did you know the golf schools and golf instructors in the US are considered the best in the world? These golf schools provide a variety of teaching philosophies as well as a wide range of golf venues. With the wide variety of golf instructors at these golf schools it provides something for every golfer and family.

All of these golf schools have one thing in common... you. They want you to come to their golf school and the majority of them are willing to work with you on the price. They know if they don't compromise on the price then you'll go on to the next golf school... and you should have this in the back of your mind when you're talking with a representative from the golf school. If they don't want to budge on the price then you can mention that you got a quote of $XXX from the XYZ Golf School.

The locations of the golf schools are all over the country and a lot of them are in a resort setting, which allows a golf school vacation to be planned so the whole family can come along. California golf schools have the luxury of year-round golf instruction because of the favorable weather as do the Arizona golf schools, and Florida golf schools. The majority of these golf schools cater to a golf vacation school setting, but they also offer a commuter option for a reduced price.

Some of the well known golf schools like the Butch Harmon School Of Golf, John Jacobs' Golf Schools, Jim McLean Golf Schools, Rick Smith Golf Academy, to name a few are reviewed extensively at US-Golf-Schools.com. A few of the other golf schools reviewed are the McGetrick Golf Academy, Balance Point Golf Schools, Vision 54 Golf School, etc... While these aren't as well known they all have very qualified golf instructors with many having accolades of Golf Digest top 100 golf instructors.

All of the US Golf School reviews provide the golf school accolades, curriculum, pricing, contact information and more.

US Golf Schools provides an excellent Free 17-page golf fitness eBook by Golf Fitness guru Mike Pedersen who is "Ask The Golf Trainer" on GolfOnline.com from the editors of Golf Magazine. Their free newsletter provides you with golf school specials that can save you $100's of dollars as well as articles and tips for choosing the right golf school or golf vacation school.

US Golf Schools is worth bookmarking because it's a great resource for golf schools reviews. If you don't sign up for their Free Newsletter then you should visit often because they're constantly adding new golf school reviews and articles.

Tags: golf, golf tips, golf instruction, golf lesson, golf school

How To Extend A Golf Glove's Life

How many of you take your golf glove off after a round of golf and stuff it into your golf bag? The combination of your golf glove and sweat don't mix well when you wad up your golf glove and stuff it into your golf bag. By doing that you reduce the life of your golf glove.

The next time you reach into your golf bag to pull out your golf glove you find a wad of hard leather. Combine this with the normal build-up of dirt and your golf glove can become kind of shinny and slick, which looses its effectiveness.

You can make your golf glove last longer if you do two things:

1. After a round of golf hang your golf glove out to dry. Find a way to clip it onto your golf bag. The easiest thing to do is wrap the glove around the golf bag strap.

2. When your golf glove becomes dirty and slick through it into the washer. Through it in with your clothes with cold water and mild soap.

Don't put the golf glove in the dryer, but rather hang it up to dry so it doesn't shrink. You'll probably want to flatten the golf glove so it dries ready to be used the next time your out on the golf course.

I hope this golf tip saves you a few dollars in golf gloves.

Tags: golf, golf tip, golf instruction, golf lesson

Tiger Woods Youngest To Reach 50 Wins At 30 Years Old

Tiger Woods has become the seventh golfer of the PGA Tour's 50-win club after improving to 21-for-21 when leading by more than one stroke after three rounds. The 30-year-old Woods just past Jack Nicklaus' record pace to 50 wins, which Nicklaus reached in 1973 at the age of 33.

Sam Snead is at the top of the PGA Tour's career wins list with 82, then Nicklaus with 73, Ben Hogan with 64, Arnold Palmer 62, Byron Nelson 52, and Billy Casper with 51.

I think Tiger is going to shatter this record and others. By the time is golfing career is over he'll stand atop all golf records.

Tags: golf, golf news, golf opinion

Michelle Wie Takes The Low Road

I know this is somewhat old golf news, but I had to share this...

When I first started reading the story about Michelle Wie firing her caddy after her 26th place finish at the Women's British Open, my first reaction was scapegoat. As I read more of the story I was really disappointed in Michelle Wie and her family for not telling their caddy first that he was fired. They told the press before they contacted him. Now that's just wrong.

Golf is a very humbling sport and for Wie to put this on her caddy is lame at best. Now she has no excuses for her golf and her inability to get her first win on the LPGA tour. I have a feeling she's going to get a lot of flack from the golf community and she'll just have to suck it up.

Her golf schedule for the rest of the year has her playing in a couple more PGA tour events. If she thought she was getting it from the golf crowds now just wait until she plays her next few events LPGA or PGA.

I had a lot of respect for her trying to make it out on the PGA tour, but now after pulling a stunt like firing your caddy... not so much. I guess that's what you'd expect from a 16-year old.

What do you think about Wie firing her caddy?

Tags: golf, golf review, golf opinion

Golfsmith Golf Outlet 60% Off

If you're a golfer you need to bookmark this.

I just found out that Golfsmith has a golf outlet. You can get all kinds of golf equipment and accessories for really cheap. You can get the Callaway ERC Fusion Driver for $149, which is $350 off retail.

How To Hit The Half Wedge Golf Shot

One of the hardest shots in golf is to hit a half or 3/4 shot. Unless you practice this golf shot it could be mean a big score for you on the golf course. It's actually a very easy golf shot to make. You just need a few golf tips to help you out.

The best way to avoid this golf shot is to make sure you always leave yourself a full shot, but we all know that's not always possible when playing golf. So here are 5 very simple steps for hitting that half wedge golf shot:

1. Grip the golf club a couple inches down the shaft.
2. Play the golf ball more towards the middle of your stance.
3. Have your hands ahead.
4. Take the golf club back 1/2 to 3/4 based on the distance
5. Next you want to come through with a solid and accelerated golf swing.

The biggest problem I see with golfers trying to make this golf shot is that they decelerate on their down swing. They do this because they end up taking a full swing and feel like they have to let up to not hit the golf ball as far... Big Mistake!!!

If you remember anything from this golf tip it should be to not decelerate your golf swing, and the best way to do this is to practice the 1/2 to 3/4 shot on the golf range so you know what it feels like. Have one of your golf buddies watch you on the golf range and ask him if you're taking a 1/2 or 3/4 golf swing. After about 5 or 6 golf balls you should have a good feel for what it takes to make the half wedge golf shot.

I hope this golf tip helps you out the next time you're on the golf course.

Tags: golf, golf tips, golf instruction, golf lesson

How To Make A Solid Putt Everytime

Here's a really simple, but effective putting tip to help you strike your putts solid and square every time. You'll need two 3 inch nails, about 11 feet of kit string, and a Sharpie. You'll want to perform this on the practice putting green at your local golf course.

1. Find a straight line on the putting green of about 10 feet.

2. Place one of the 3 inch nails on line with direction you'll be putting. When you push the nail into the ground make sure it's high enough for your putter blade to fit under.

3. Place the other 3 inch nail about 10 feet from the other nail in line with the direction you'll be putting.

4. Tie the string to both ends of the nails making sure it's tight enough so that the string doesn't sag.

5. Now draw a straight line completely around the center of your golf ball with a Sharpie. One of those tools for creating a line on your golf ball works best.

6. Next set your golf ball down next to the string near one of the nails with the line on your golf ball parallel to the string.

7. Finally strike the golf ball along the line of the string. This will require your putter head to slide underneath the string to be able to strike the golf ball solidly. If the golf ball wobbles then it means you hit it of center. If the golf ball doesn't wobble, but goes away or into the string then it means your alignment is off.

This drill provides immediate feedback if your not striking the golf ball on the center of the putter face.

You can do one more thing with this drill to help you take the putter straight back. Take 2 golf tees and place them perpendicular to the string at the location where you're striking the golf ball. You want the tees to be barely wide enough for your putter head to fit through. At first you may want to give yourself a little more space for your putter head to fit through, but you should eventually move the tees as close as you can.

It won't take long with this drill to get you striking your putts squarely and solidly every time. Let me know how it works out for you.

Tags: golf, golf tips, golf instruction, golf lesson

New Golf Ball Flies 50 Yards Farther

How many times have you heard or read a claim about a new golf ball adding 10, 20, or more yards to your drive? I wouldn't be surprised if pretty soon you see a golf ball manufacturer claim that their golf ball will travel 50 yards further than any other golf ball.

Has technology played too much of a role in the game of golf? The materials they use today to create drivers, irons, shoes, golf balls, etc... has become a science. The golf manufacturers are coming out with very sophisticated materials to create clubs, balls, etc... The golf manufacturing industry has taken on a life of it's own by using space age metals and technology to create an edge on their competitors.

There has been a lot of discussion among some of big golf names about the distance the golf ball flies today. Gary Player has been advocating a change as well as Butch Harmon. Harmon has been quoted as saying "I think the ball is the big thing and the R&A and the USGA have got to step up to the plate and make a decision on what they're going to do with it."

I personally like crushing the ball 280 to 300 yards and I like seeing the pro's hitting it 300 to 340 yards. I also like seeing the low scores the golf pros are making these days, and watching them reach the majority of the par 5's in two with a putt for eagle. It makes the game of golf more exciting to see all the birdies being made.

What do you think? Should the USGA put additional limits on how far a golf ball can travel?

Tag(s): golf, golf reviews, golf equipment, golf products

Golf Swing Analysis Revolutionized

How many times have you read or seen the claim of hitting the golf ball 30 yards longer? I know I see it regularly and I typically don't spend much time reading about it because they're usually bogus golf claims.

Well I've been in contact with a golf related company off and on over the last 6 months that has been developing something that will revolutionize the golf swing analysis industry. They have developed a software program that will take launch monitor data and provide you with the optimal flight pattern to get the most out of your drives.

This may not seem revolutionary, but if this software program stated that you'd gain 20 yards on your drive by changing to a golf ball with a lower spin rate wouldn't you do it?

How many of you have had your golf swing analyzed by a golf pro with a launch monitor? The golf pro will look at the numbers and provide recommendations for equipment, balls, etc... What the golf pro is doing is using a general guideline as to put your launch monitor numbers in. This is an educated guess and not an exact science.

You now have the ability to take those numbers and plug them into a software program that will provide you with scientific results of the numbers. This program was written by an internationally recognized authority in high-speed aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics who holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees. So basically he knows his stuff when it comes to objects that fly in the air.

You should check them out at Quality Golf Stats. They're providing a free analysis of your launch numbers for the first 25 golfers.

Tag(s): golf, golf reviews, golf equipment, golf products

Should I Use A Mallet Or Blade Putter?

I think most of us golfers know that the look and feel of a putter play a big role in our decision of what putter to use. I know this is very much the case for me. I currently play the Scotty Cameron Studio Stainless Newport 2.5 and love it, but I have my eye on the comparable Yes putter.

Anyway back to the point of this post, which is what putter type should you be using? Should you be using a Mallet Putter or a Blade Putter? Well the answer is it depends. It depends on the kind of putting stroke you have. Most experts say that if you have putting stroke that has an arc then a blade type putter that's heel-shafted and has more toe weight is what you should look for.

If your putting stroke is more straight back and straight through then a putter with a shaft more in line with the center of the putter face is what you should look for. These type of putters are often referred to as face-balanced putters. You can tell if it's a face balanced putter by balancing the putter shaft on your finger and if the face points up then it's a face-balanced putter.

Did this golf tip help you determine the putter for you?

Tags: golf, golf tips, golf review, golf lesson