Running Shoes and You

As a runner, you know the value and importance of purchasing good, stable running shoes that match your stride, weight, pronation, and all around your foot. When I began running over forty years ago, I ran in any old shoe I found - quite literally found. As a PE teacher, locker clean-out at the end of the year produced numerous nice, fairly new shoes, and as they say, "When the shoe fits, wear it" and so I did. This was back in what I lovingly refer to as our poverty days, so my shoe browsing was of necessity as well as choice. Thousands of miles later, I can now be quite picky.

I run four times a week and put in about 20 miles unless I am training and then, of course, the mileage increases. I have completed one marathon, a terrific and exhilarating accomplishment, however, because of the time and intensity involved in training, I now focus on 2-4 half-marathons per year. With a sound base under me, training is rudimentary and the opportunity to travel to a variety of venues keeps me engaged during workouts as I visualize the new sights and sounds that await me. As I have a bunion on my left foot, my shoe choice is limited to a wide toe box. This if offered by Brooks and Saucony so I must search out stores that carry this brand. The first is getting easier to find while the latter is more difficult, at least in my area. For the marathon I trained and ran in ASICs and loved them, but when I bought my third pair, I found them to be poorly crafted and they wore out in a flash. I questioned sales personnel as the shoes were the same model as I had worn previously and they explained that while the style name and number were the same, the company had been dinking with modifications and I had purchased a lousy pair.

When in a store to buy shoes, be sure to get the clerk who knows and understands running. The "I hate to run" folks probably are not the best resources. Begin with a new pair of running socks. I like them cushiony and a fresh pair has lots of rebound. Try on several shoe models in sizes just up or down from your regular fit. Walk around, shake your toes and heels, test rolling in and out, and try some in-place jogging. Some outlets have a trade-in or money back guarantee so you can take the shoes out on the road or trail. I have never done this so I am not sure how well this offer is backed, but it might be worth a try.

My most recent shoes I purchased online. As they are Brooks, I knew most of the models and knew how the sizes matched my feet. Then they had an online test with questions about my running preferences, style, mileage and goals, and so forth. At the end, certain shoes were recommended. I thought this a good idea and am excited to test my purchase.

Breaking in shoes is fun and it feels good to have brightly colored new footgear. Preferably I have bought the shoes in late spring, early summer, or late fall. Generally the streets are dry then and the back roads have a minimum of powdery dust. I like my new shoes to glimmer with newness for a few days. Since I typically jog just 4-5 miles this is a good distance for getting them acclimated to my feet and my feet to the new shoes. I have also run greater distances with new shoes and never had any problems. This is most likely because I have selected with care.

While price is not the sole indicator of quality, it seems like when I go cheap I get cheap shoes. It pains me to spend $120+ but fortunately this pain does not transfer to my feet. A greater agony is not being able to find shoes that adhere to my feet and running style requirements that are entirely manufactured in the US. I am hoping this is about to change. Happy running, happy feet, and happy me. I hope the same is true with you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gini_Cunningham

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9145792

Retire As a Golden Girl

Due to the surprisingly high singles rate and the expense of residing alone, sharing a place with others can completely transform your life while offering many benefits. You remember the TV show called the "Golden Girls?" This is what I call Platonic Cohabitation and it has the potential to be a life saver on a number of different levels.

Since we are the first generation to live a long time in retirement, social accommodations that meet our needs tend to lag behind. The many benefits of cohabitation are:

ECONOMIC: This most obvious of benefits cuts your expenses of rent and utilities in half. It can reduce your mortgage payment or become an income stream if your home is paid off.

HEALTH: Others help alert us to remembering our medications or being aware of problems that are not apparent to us at first. Your roommate would be the first responder if you get hurt or need help.

SOCIAL: Having people around stops some primary problems in old age like loneliness and isolation. This can led to depression and early death, so being social is part of the key to longevity.

PERSONAL: Having someone to discuss personal matters with is a very important part of being involved and connected to life. The degree of bonding that occurs with roommates can be very profound and long lasting. It's quite likely that needed friendships will flourish in this setting.

When I worked my way through college, I needed to have roommates for many years. Besides a form of economizing, it was an experience at meeting new and diverse people. I actually met the group of college buddies that became lifelong friends for over 41 years as roommates. When I purchased my first house, I offset the expense by having a roommate. This person also turned out to be a lifelong friend. Consequently, the best friendship bonding in my life has occurred as a result of having roommates.

Many of us may have not had a roommate since college and may have mixed feelings about it. But, we should not let past memories cloud our judgement about what we need in the future. I always recommend that you start with a friend or someone on your social network, so you already have a level of comfort. If no one on your network needs to share right now, there are a number of websites that are roommate finders. All my roommates were unknown at first until they became lifelong supportive friends. L.J.

A NEW BOOK FOR THE INTELLIGENT WOMAN PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Retirement-Women-solution-couples/dp/1500705926/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430164865&sr=8-1&keywords=creative+retirement+for+women

http://creativeretirementforwomen.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=H_Lee_Johnson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9123930

Swim Lessons For Kids: 5 Key Benefits That Just May Surprise You

Learning to swim can prove an important life skill that all young children should learn. As with any new activity, the earlier a child begins swim lessons, the faster he or she will master the process. When given the proper resources and instruction, swim lessons can be an instrumental tool that lasts a throughout a child's lifetime.

Important Advantages Swim Lessons Offer Children Of All Ages

Signing your child up for pool sessions can offer an extensive range of benefits. When enrolling in a qualified swimming program, your kids will gain important skills and advantages such as:

Water safety: First and foremost, swim lessons offer an invaluable way to teach your children how to be safe around water. No matter where you live, chances are your child will find herself around water throughout her life. Each time she encounters water can prove a dangerous or uncomfortable situation if she doesn't have to tools needed to ensure her safety. Organized swimming classes can help your little one gain the necessary skills to navigate through any water situation that presents itself.

Health & fitness: It's no secret that staying active and exercising plays a key role in achieving long-term health. Allowing your child to begin swimming at any early age can help him develop a routine and passion for exercise that lasts a lifetime. Every swimming class will help your little one work virtually every muscle group, without any stressful impact on his body. When placed in a supervised pool setting, swimming can prove an excellent opportunity for kids to stay healthy (all while burning off a little pent up energy!).

Confidence: Learning an invaluable life skill not only helps increase your child's safety, it can also help build your child's confidence and self-esteem. As your little one succeeds in each step of the process, she will gain a major boost in her self-assurance. Knowing that practice and patience can help with mastering a challenge will be a life lesson she keeps with her throughout her lifetime.

Social skills: Swim lessons held in a group environment offer extensive social benefits to children. Group lessons will combine children of similar ages and skill levels, giving your little ones an opportunity to meet and mingle with peers outside their usual circle of friends. Interaction with other children, combined with the fun of being in the pool, delivers a very unique social experience for all attendees.

Competitive experience: As your child becomes more accomplished in the water, he may begin to develop a competitive spirit in the pool. Not only will kids develop this life skill by working hard to always get better in the water, but they can also compete against peers in organized meets. Positively sharpening their competitive skills can play an invaluable role throughout their lives in uncountable situations and events.

With so many critical benefits and advantages, it's easy to see why so many parents choose swim lessons for their little ones.

Seeking swim lessons in Naperville for your little one? DuPage Swimming Center can help. Owned and operated by Olympian Ross Seymour, DuPage Swimming Center offers a state of the art facility and skilled and certified instructors to ensure your children's safety while they gain confidence in the water. Want to learn more? Visit http://www.dupageswimmingcenter.com/ today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_A._Harmen

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8480167

Explore Benefits of Swimming Lessons

Learning water safety has a number of benefits for people of any age. Explore the positive aspects of taking swimming lessons. Knowing how to stay afloat is a vital skill, and the physical movement involved with this form of exercise serves as an effective form of cardiovascular activity.

Fitness

Moving through the pool learning how to swim provides effective opportunities for cardiovascular exercise. This form of activity works each muscle group in the body, including arms, shoulders, back, core, and legs. In addition, the buoyancy of the water reduces stress on joints and bones, which often accompanies exercise. Releasing energy while moving helps reduce stress levels and anxiety.

Coordination

Swimming lessons increase coordination as people learn how to synchronize their movements for maximum efficiency. Arm and leg motions must occur in a coordinated effort to perform strokes. In addition, breathing also requires coordination with other body movements. Learning how and when to turn the head out of the water to take a breath must occur at precise points in a stroke, according to ongoing arm and leg movements.

Safety

Knowing what to do to stay afloat is an important safety skill that people of all ages should know. While children will still require parental supervision around water, knowing that youngsters possess basic skills can be reassuring. Once people learn these skills, they will possess them for a lifetime.

Social Interaction

Classes often occur during summertime when kids have a break from typical school. Participating in swimming lessons provides important opportunities for social interaction. Classmates will typically be of similar age and skill level, providing youngsters with a chance to spend time with peers and learn how to get along with others. Kids can learn important social skills including kindness and empathy in this social and educational setting.

Confidence

Learning how to feel comfortable in the pool can increase anyone's confidence. Many people experience an increase in motivation and energy when they notice their elevated strength and endurance. Initially, making it from one end of the pool to the other end may have been difficult. But with effort, skills and endurance will increase exponentially. Youngsters can also have fun with the new and exciting activities they can do in the water, such as diving and playing games.

Competition

With continued progress, moving up through the levels of swimming lessons, some people may choose to pursue competitive activities. Learning new strokes may spark a competitive nature that children did not realize they had. Some youngsters may decide to participate in team or individual sports in the water. This attention to excellence and the drive to succeed can also transfer to other areas in life, including academics and extracurricular events.

Even people who are timid or fearful of the water can learn to overcome their trepidations to become adept in the water. With swimming lessons designed to teach and support, young people can attain expansive goals. Provide plenty of support and encouragement for your youngster to ensure positive progress in the pool.

When considering swimming lessons, NJ residents visit HRC Fitness. Learn more at http://www.hrcfitness.com/aquatics/the-swim-academy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Avery

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9022663

Learn the Essential Tennis Techniques As a Beginner

If you want to play well in the tennis match and if you wish to improve your performance as a tennis player, it is advisable that you should first learn the important techniques as well as methodologies of this type of game as much as you can. As a beginner, if you learn these techniques quickly and effectively, there is every possibility that you will be able to develop your interest for it and that you will be able to enjoy it in the best possible way. This article will highlight on a few essential tips that you should follow as a beginner in order to learn the techniques of this type of game as quickly as possible.

Seek help of an expert tennis coach

Before you decide to play this type of game, it is advisable that you should contact an experienced tennis coach to learn these techniques as quickly as possible. Even if you consider yourself to be a talented tennis player, it is vital that you should take his help to learn backhand stroke, volley, lobs and other techniques that are associated with it. You can watch videos on the internet to learn these things but these videos cannot be considered to be an effective replacement of this type of coach.

Do not feel discouraged

If you did not show your best performance during this kind of game that you played a few months back, it is vital that you should not feel discouraged any point of time. All you have to do is to find out what exactly went wrong at that time and what things you need to improve your performance in the next one. You should always try to learn from your past mistakes and you should try to enhance your skills as much as you can.

Prepare your body for this type of game

Before you begin this kind of practice session, it is advisable that you should perform warm up session for at least five or six minutes. If you do so, there is possibility that you should be able to prepare your body for the next one. You can increase your stamina and you will also feel refreshed.

Try to learn from popular tennis players

If you watch matches of Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams or other popular players of this kind of game, it is advisable that you should try to follow their techniques as much as you can. For example, you should follow the shots or strokes that they played, the way they prepared for their shots and the exclusive playing strategies that they employed and so on. Once you study these techniques thoroughly, it is advisable that you should try to adopt them in the best possible way.

Keep your contact with this type of ball

As a beginner, it is vital that you should always remain in contact with this type of ball as much as you can during this type of game. If you are unable to do so, there is every possibility that you will feel quite frustrated. You should always focus on this type of ball as long as possible and you should also focus on the layer of this type of ball. If you keep an eye on this type of ball, there is every possibility that you will be able to hit it with your racquet successfully.

Euro School of Tennis is dedicated in offering effective private tennis lesson in Los Altos to children and adults at reasonable rates. If you want to join one of the best youth tennis lessons Palo Alto then you should immediately get in touch with this institute without any delay.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alina_Brown

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9095806

Improve Your Tennis Game In 21 Days

This article is for adults and junior students who are playing tennis and want to improve faster and stop wasting money on lessons.

The one thing that you must remember is that tennis is nothing but a feel game.

And the more you focus on getting a better feel for the game in your lessons, the better you will start playing the game.

This is great information here, so take down some notes, so you can refer back to them later on.

Many tennis students struggle learning the game, because they don't use the power of repetitions in practice.

The first secret you need to know is that,

"Repetitions will create your techniques for your strokes and help you to discover them".

Everyone has their own unique way of hitting a tennis ball, so you have to work the reps, until you discover your stroke or strokes.

Want to do it in 21 days?

Great, here is a system that works every time for me and I use it when teaching tennis even today.

Listen up carefully, because you will want to remember this 3 step learning process to leap frog the whole process.

1). The first thing you have to do, is get a clear image of the stroke in your subconscious mind.

The image must be clear or you will struggle during the learning phase.

I would watch some videos of the stroke for about 10 to 15 minutes.

On YouTube, there are some slow motion videos of the top pros that are great to use for this very purpose!!

2). Next, after you have a clear image from the video, start doing some shadow swings.

Go slow and easy at first, and be very deliberate on each swing.

In this phase, we are developing muscle memory for the stroke.

You should be focused on getting a good FEEL for the swing, while doing them.

"Also picture yourself hitting the perfect shot on each swing."

Keep your grip loose and let the racket do all the work on each swing.

3). Now, start hitting some balls.

From here on out, you should start working the repetitions and keep working them, until you discover the stroke.

Look at your tennis lessons as a self-discovery process.

And you have to keep adjusting your swing after every shot and also you should never miss 3 shots in a row.

The reason is simple.

If you miss the first one, adjust your swing, then if you miss the second one, make another adjustment and on the 3rd attempt, you should make the shot.

Make sense right?

Now, if at any time during this self-discovery process, you lose focus, go back to a previous step.

That means.

During the repetition phase, "If your concentration breaks down, go back to the shadow swings or if during the shadow swings phase, you lose your feel for it, go back and watch some more videos to refresh the image of the stroke in your subconscious mind."

But if everything keeps working as laid out here, you should be able to discover any stroke after about 2, 000 reps.

For those of you, who think that is too many reps, think again.

The reality is, to improve your tennis game in 21 days, all you need to do is get more reps in and do is more often in your lessons or practice.

That's it folks.

Start today and work on one stroke at a time.

After coaching tennis for 18 years to all levels and ages, the one thing that I have discovered about adult and junior students is that they don't get enough reps in on a weekly basis.

Some other notes.

Relax more on court.

"Tension negate flow and you can't get a good feel, when you are tense and feeling frustrated."

Look to always get into the flow in practice or lessons.

Also look at it like this, "Sometime you will be in flow and sometimes you will be out of it, so learn how to get back in flow, when that happens and your tennis game will be flowing non stop for you on court.

You will also be having a great time too.

Summary

"Get a clear image by watching some video of the stroke that you want to develop, then do some shadow swings to get a good feel for that strokes and last, work the reps, until you discover the stroke."

"If you follow this proven system, I just gave you, you will leap frog the learning curve."

Why?

Because what you are doing here with this system, is using your subconscious mind to help you learn, then master the stroke.

This, along with using repetitions, are what I call, "Speed Tennis Learning".

I'll leave you guys with a great quote I heard years ago.

When the student is ready, the stroke will appear!!!

For more online tennis coaching to get your matchplay tight.

Please sign up for my newsletter or my online tennis membership at

Click http://www.inyourfacetennis.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Jay_Daniels

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9113900

Just For Tennis Parents

If your child just started playing tennis or is playing competitive tennis now, you need to read this article and print it out.

There is a lot of misinformation that tennis parents are getting and I hope I can clear that up here today.

First misconception,

Tennis parents need to spend a lot of money on training for their kids.

Not true, I'm living proof.

I have played at all levels and my parents only spend a little, if any money, to support me and my career.

Here is how they did it.

My dad taught me when I was young and then when I developed a passion for the game and showed him I was serious about playing it.

They found me a good coach and worked out a good deal with him to train me.

"They also set up practice matches for me with other local junior kids,which helped a lot, because we were going to face each other anyway in local tournaments, so why not train with other top ranked juniors in your area."

Another misconception.

Your child needs to train at a top academy when they are young.

We didn't and we did okay.

This is where all tennis parents need to organize and set up a training schedule with each other and save themselves more money and time.

In the US, I hope more tennis parents start doing this.

It worked for me and the other local kids in Missouri Valley and it can work for you guys and your local area.

Just remember, you don't need to pay a lot of money for your kid's tennis career.

There are other ways!!

Okay we got that out of the way, now let's come up with a plan for you and your child, that you can get to work on today.

Step 1

Introduce the game to them and use videos from YouTube to help you in that introduction.

Even if you don't play or are not that good at the game,use this time to get in shape and connect with them better and deepen your relationship with them.

You can use the videos, even if they are already competing.

YouTube can make any tennis parent look like a great coach!

There are some great videos on there!!

All tennis parents should be using it more, when helping them with their stroke production and patterns of play.

Find a local tennis program that you can afford and stick with them.

The end goal is to get them a tennis scholarship and see how far they can take their tennis career, so keep that in mind and make sure that your kid is on the same page with this end goal.

Step 2

Get together with other local parents and set a training schedule up with them.

This will save all of you guys money and your kids will develop faster and be more mentally tough by working out with other top ranked juniors weekly.

I have often seen parent and coaches who don't let their players or kids play against other top ranked juniors.

Which doesn't make sense to me.

"If they want to be the best, then they will have to beat the best".

This is one thing that helped me when I was a junior.

Step 3

Help them create a strong solid team.

This should be you and your spouse,the coach and other family members and teachers.

Take your time a find a good coach that you can relate to and deal with, also,it doesn't have to be a top ranked coach!!

Fight to get them the best teachers and bring them on board the team!

The best coach I ever had, was a local high school coach, who taught history for a highschool.

So,don't believe the hype.

Go with your intuition when interviewing a coach and make sure that your child can connect with him/her or don't hire them.

Your team is going to play a vital role in your child's future success.

So, take your time and work with them, to get this right.

Everything else, will fall into line after you complete all the above 3 steps.

And as you can see too.

This shouldn't cost that much for you guys at all.

Wouldn't you agree?

Get creative with this 3 step plan and look for ways to get them free coaching and free press.

Last thing, always do your research first, before you make a decision about their future.

Hope that helps you guys and I wish you and your child the best of luck!!

Stay positive and anything is possible!!

Tennis parents can get more free information at,,

Click here- http://www.justfortennisparents.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Jay_Daniels

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9127779

Ways to Get the Most From Your Golf Spectating Experience

For most golfers the best way to experience golf is to go out and play. But if you really do love the game there are more ways to experience golf instead of only playing, or sitting endlessly watching the Golf Channel. There are many tour events throughout the year that you can schedule yourself to see, with many more options if you live in Florida or Southern California. These events are not where you see the best players in the game, but for the true golf enthusiast there is still some great golf to see live.

1. High school golf. Many people who don't have a player in the action will go out to watch high school football or basketball, but yet they never would consider going to watch a high school golf tournament. As with any of these sports, obviously these aren't the top players. But it is still competition and you get the added advantage of watching these kids compete from up close. And believe me they are putting as much into it as with any golfer you'll see.

2. College golf. The quality of golf here is a major step up from the high schools, and you might be astounded how far these kids can in a golf ball. The galleries will be somewhat larger than in the high school matches, but by watching these players around the green you will be able to get close to see the precision they exhibit. You might even pick up a few pointers from the way they play.

3. The mini-tours. These are also called developmental tours, and they are played mostly in Florida and Southern California offering a limited schedule. These are the events that don't pay much; in fact, most golfers at best cover expenses. But they are playing a sport they love to play, and their hopes like minor-league baseball players are aiming to play on the big stage sometime.

4. The Champion's Tour. This is for players over 50 years old, and you'll see some very familiar names on the course. Actually, these events can be some of the most fun to watch. They play an excellent brand of golf, but unlike some of the regular PGA tour players, they depend more on course management and strategy. Additionally, because these players are more experienced and have less pressure on them, they often are more willing to interact with the galleries. This makes watching these events more interactive and fun than watching players who are 100% business when they're playing.

If you are into golf like we are, we invite you to check out our website  http://golfshortgames.com, as well as an article on  tips on drawing a ball  with your driver. Sean O'Kelly is an avid golfer and writer living in Chicago.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_O'Kelly

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8830621

Playing Golf for the Beginners

As a sport and leisure activity, golf shakes many people thinking of trying it! The commonest reasons are an array of equipment, technique, the lingo, and the costs involved. But, here is the good news. Under a right guidance, you can actually get off to a solid start - both, performance wise as well as financially. Begin with pocket-friendly equipment. Focus more on the game rather than the frills. If you have the potential, you may well end up mastering it. Here are some essential basics for the golf beginners.

- Have the right equipment: Choosing the best golf club for you is your foremost task. For your first club, prioritize learning and the comfort of use... You can always graduate to the latest, most sophisticated club later.

- Do not fret over golf balls: At the start, you will lose many golf balls. That is normal. Therefore, do not go for expensive balls at this stage. Pick up the ones that are good but less costly.

- Learn from the experts: Check out some great online training videos to get that right posture, grip, ball connection, and the way to hit that swing. Better yet, take some lessons from a personal trainer or even a golfer friend. Nothing beats in-person coaching to perfect your posture.

Once you have the fundamentals down, try these tips and terms to improve your golfing skills.

- In a 'Fat Shot,' you hit the ground before the ball. To prevent an injury, avoid crouching too low at the time of your address position.

- If you are hitting the ball just at its top, you may be looking up too soon. Make sure you are gazing down even after you strike the ball.

- Follow the 'G.A.S.P.' - Grip, Aim, Stance, and Posture - method for an effective pre-shot routine.

- Even the perfect swing may result in an off-line golf shot if the club face is not 'square,' meaning its surface directly faces the ball. Make sure the club face is square before and after you grip the club.

- 'Putting' is a light and a short distance stroke to get the ball into the green. Before you do any real putting practice, close your eyes and try some free swings with your putter (club). This gives you a good 'putting feel' and makes the task seem less daunting.

- Learn to hit the ball with the middle of the putter head. This instills consistency in your putting. For this, you can try placing a coin on the putting green, directly behind the ball. Now, strike over the coin with the sweet spot of your putter head.

- While the golfing skills and the equipment are great confidence boosters, learn to manage the associated stress to. To be prepared for a more intense experience, try placing as many balls as possible around the hole and work your way around them, putting as many as you can into the hole. Train yourself on improving this number. It will give you great confidence when putting during a real 18-hole round on a golf course.

So, are you still hesitant to play golf? Hope not! Invest in your first golfing gear, check into your closest driving range, and enjoy.

The author Rakhi Sinha is the Founder & Owner of The Syntax Systems (TSS) ( http://www.thesyntaxsystems.com ), global content service provider. We deliver a wide variety of content on a broad spectrum of subjects. For our content & related services, please mail us on contact@thesyntaxsystems.com. You can read more on golf at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rakhi_Sinha

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8830834

When Is the Best Time to Play Golf?

Every avid golfer has a favorite time they like to get out on the course. Mine happens to be late afternoon and early evening, as for me it's just a fitting way to end the day. But if you hang around golf clubhouses much you'll see older golfers getting out early in the morning to get there round in for the day. For many people their favorite time is probably when the course is the least busy, and this article will be about some of those times.

If you happen to be retired or have a job that allows you to work whenever you wish, you are in the best position of all to get those quick three-hour rounds in with little or no waiting at all. Here are a few thoughts for going to the course at the least busy times:

1. During summer, the middle of the day. As long as you don't mind some pretty intense heat, this is a time that many people avoid playing golf. Most go early in the day or later, so I have found midday in the South to be virtually when I have the entire course for myself. Unless you're very hardy it might be best to take a golf cart and always have plenty of water on hand, plus dress in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

2. Avoid weekends, but late on those days can be ideal. Those golfers that work all week often have only one time they can play, and that is on the weekends. But weekends for these golfers often will be for family activities, and that means they must get their round in and get home for the family. You may be able to beat the crowd by switching it up and playing during the evening. It might even work out better if you invite your spouse to play with you.

3. In the fall or winter, mid-afternoon can be ideal. This will of course be dependent on the weather in your area; this time of day can be the best time to play golf. After daylight saving time people who work normal day hours are pretty much relegated to playing on weekends. Since retirees have already gotten in their round of golf for the day, you might have the golf course all to yourself. To get a perfect fall afternoon when casual golfers have already retired the clubs for the year, well, for me golf just can't get better than that.

Booking tee times on golf courses is not that difficult. Click here to go to how to check out the courses as well as finding bargains. Also, innovative golf equipment such as hybrid clubs will definitely help you bring down your scores. Sean O'Kelly is a writer and avid golfer living in Chicago.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_O'Kelly

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8836883

Putting In The Game of Golf

If you play the game of golf you know that putting is very important. However, there are only a few unique putting styles out there. As the saying goes, "You drive for show and putt for dough." You can hit all the best shots in the world, but if you don't make the putt what good is it.

Putting takes technique and feel to be good at it. Grip pressure, relaxation and keeping your head down are the main ingredients to becoming a good putter.

If you are a conventional putter, you should know all of those three tricks on how to be a good putter. Conventional putting is what most of the pros use yet a lot of amateurs do not.

If you use a different style, these ingredients may not apply.

Probably the biggest reason that amateurs stray away from conventional putting is repetitions. To be good at it you have to practice every single day and almost become robotic at it. It takes many hours of your day and most amateurs don't have that spare time. The pros do it because it is their job.

If you struggle on the greens, I suggest trying a style that is not conventional. Which one to try is the problem. There are only a few other putting styles out there.

• One of them is called belly putting. This is a process where the player has an extended putter so he can anchor it into his stomach while he strokes at the ball. Belly putting is an awkward style that helps you stroke the ball with a little more feel and tempo. The problem with this style is after the year 2016, this style will be outlawed by the USGA which is the organization who governs the rules of golf.


• Another putting style that is not conventional is called the anchor style. This is when the player has an extra extended putter so he can putt from the upright position. This putter also has two separate grips on the shaft that are about eighteen inches apart.

With his two hands apart, one on the top grip and the other on the lower grip, He anchors the top of the club to his chest. When the payer strokes the ball he only uses this lower hand as the top one stays anchored to the body. This upright position gives him a good look at the hole which is one of the reasons that this style is used. However, in 2016 this style will also be outlawed by the USGA.

So the problem with non-conventional putting styles is that most of them are illegal. If you use a unique putting style make sure it conforms to USGA rules. The problem here is, what other styles are out there and how do you learn them.

Jay Midolo is a golfer who struggled with putting. He now putts with a different unique style which is USGA legal. If you go to this URL http://youtu.be/PFoGzROOPys you will see a video where Jay will show you how and where you can learn the same system that he uses.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Midolo

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8867567

A Golf Etiquette Guide For Beginning Players

Known as the "gentleman's game" because of its strict adherence to tradition, golf is arguably the most polite sport on the planet. No matter their talent or experience level, players are expected to comport themselves with dignity and grace at all times. Those who do not are looked upon with disdain. With that in mind, here is our golf etiquette guide for beginning players.

Mind Your Manners

The first and most important rule new players should follow is to act in gentlemanly/womanly manner. Practice basic courtesy by saying, "please" and "thank you" whenever possible. If you should sneeze, say, "excuse me." All of these little niceties show respect for your companions and the game. Of course, it is also important to respect the course. That means not spitting, littering, or harming the grounds in any way.

Don't Be A Slow Poke

Even though there's no time limit, golfers tend to resent players who take too much time. This is especially true if the party in question consistently holds others up because he isn't ready when it's his turn. As a beginner, it is important to be thoughtful and considerate of other people's time because if you are not, you will quickly gain a bad reputation for it on the links. A simple tip in the golf etiquette guide for beginning players is to never look for a lost ball for more than five minutes.

Control Your Temper

Putting a tiny ball in a tiny hole on an enormous lawn might just be the greatest challenge in all of sports. It is no wonder beginners often lose their cool (and their clubs) when frustration gets the better of them. As a new golfer, you will undoubtedly make a lot of mistakes. But getting angry about them won't help, it will merely ruin the experience for you and your companions. If you are having a bad game, remind yourself that it is only a game.

Dress Your Best

One of the simplest things you can do to show your respect for others and for the game is to dress in an appropriate manner. In most cases, that means wearing slacks and shirt with a collar. Your clothes needn't be the sharpest in the clubhouse, but they should be clean, pressed, and nearly new. Although it is by no means required, many players choose to tuck their shirts in.

Turn Off Your Cell Phone

Nothing ruins a calm, relaxing, peaceful round of golf like the annoying, muffled ringing of cell phones in pockets. Even as a beginner, other players will be justifiably furious with you if your phone starts ringing in their backswing. Not only might the faux pas cause an argument, it will also hold up your game for several minutes. As a result, it is often best to either turn off your phone or leave it in your car. Honestly, the world can live without you for a few hours!

Use this golf etiquette guide for beginning players to make friends on your next trip to the course.

When looking for golf etiquette guide for beginning players, new golfers go to Carl's Golfland. To learn more, visit http://www.carlsgolfland.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alfred_Ardis

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9157120

Learn the Surfing Etiquette

The surf etiquette is a proper code of conduct designed to keep everyone safe and happy in the water. It is important to memorize and respect these rules to avoid total chaos. Stick by these unwritten rules to keep others and yourself else out of trouble.

Here are the basics of the surf etiquette:

1. RIGHT OF WAY

The surfer closest to the peak of the wave has the right of way. Also the surfer furthest out or first to his feet has the right to be on the wave. In all of these cases other surfers will have to let the wave pass. Learn these 'rules' and act accordingly.

2. DO NOT DROP IN

Dropping in is the act of stealing someone's wave described at point 1. By doing it you will create a dangerous situation for you and the other surfers. Collision might occur, bones and boards can break. It is a bad idea and everyone will be annoyed.

3. PADDLING RULES

Do not paddle straight to the line up where the waves are breaking and people are surfing. It is wiser and safer to paddle through a channel where there are less chances of a run in. If you see a surfer coming towards you, estimate his direction and then paddle the other way.

4. DO NOT DITCH BOARD

Always maintain control and contact with your surfboard. If you see a wall of white water coming towards you, do not ditch your board because it might hit someone behind you. Learn how to duckdive.

5. DO NOT SNAKE

Paddling around someone to gain priority over the wave is called snaking. This can be very annoying and if done repeatedly a big no-no.

6. SHARE WAVES

Longboarders, kayakers, stand-up paddlers and more experienced surfers are able to catch waves much sooner and easier leaving not much for other surfers. It does not hurt to leave one wave for the shortboarders inside. To share is to care!

7. RESPECT THE BEACH

Leave only footprints. Throw your garbage in trash cans and do not vandalise in any way.

8. RESPECT LOCALS

Give respect to the surfers who surf the spot every day. Behave friendly and do not overcrowd the spot with a large group. Respect the vibe in the water.

9. HELP OTHER SURFERS

Look out for each other and always help a surfer in trouble. You could possibly save someone's life.

10. BE PATIENT AND HAVE FUN

Wait for your turn to get a wave. Eventually it will come. Be friendly and have fun.

11. IF YOU MESS UP: APOLOGIZE

It is not the end of the world if you accidentally mess up one of these rules. Apologize and smile. They will forgive the first time.

Please visit us at http://www.surfedukators.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Oscar_Verschuur

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8831905

How to Become a Professional Basketball Player

Basketball is still the third most popular sport in the world, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Why would it when the world's number one professional basketball league (NBA) keeps bringing in loads of freakishly talented players year after year? It's undoubtedly a joy to watch. But even more than the NBA, we can now find gravity-defying leapers and ball handling artists at the click of a button. Believe it or not, with the help of technology and a thing called viral videos, these unknown phenomenons are quickly becoming more popular than the pros, at least on the internet. Sadly, though, these same highlights performed by single-faceted players have become a bar of sorts for younger players who dream of making the big league. Single-faceted player? These are the players who have one aspect of this vast game of roundball that they know pretty well. Unfortunately, if they step outside of that, they're as lost as a needle in a haystack. You might not see them playing at a level any further than college or semi-pro. However, they're also the most likely to have a video on the net of something incredible they did which gets millions of views.

It's okay to get caught up watching video after video of these unbelievable athletes. Apparently, millions of others do. But if you're looking to make a career out of the game, you need to understand this: it's cool to watch, but not cool to become. Now, there aren't perfect players in the world, not even in the NBA. The closest thing to a perfect player was arguably Michael Jordan. The good news is, becoming a professional basketball player isn't about becoming a perfect one. It's not even largely based on talent, in most cases. Many players don't understand that, and are left dumbfounded when their coach sits them most of the game or when they're released from a team. Let's agree that this will not be you once you've finished reading this. Please note that if you're serious about making a career out of basketball, it's assumed that you're already on a team, whether it's high school, college or an amateur league. If not, the advice that follows will still be beneficial so read on. Either way, you're going to want to soak up the following three (3) keys if you're looking to make it onto the pro stage of basketball.

1. Get your current priorities in order. Committing yourself to do what it takes to become a professional is no small order. One of the greatest sacrifices you'll need to make is one of time and how you decide to use it. And the more obligations in your life, the trickier it gets. If you're in school, you need to work your basketball schedule around classes, homework and studying, not the other way around. You don't want your grades to slip. You might have work, a family or both. There's a number of things that can factor in dividing your time. The biggest thing is making sure you understand what's most important and moving forward from there. Students fail, marriages fail and plans to go pro fail when players allow basketball to overshadow the more important responsibilities. Don't let that be you. Prioritize your life and work basketball into it.


2. Work your butt off. This seems like a no-brainer, right? It's almost as if telling you to work on your game doesn't need to be discussed. But you'd be surprised by how many people say they want to be in the pros, yet their work habits mirror none of their claims. Some people are turned off after they hear "Get your priorities in order", so if you're still serious about making it professionally, you need to be in the gym! Know what you're great at, good at and not-so good at. Spend some time on the great, more time turning the good to great, and extra time getting the not-so good to a respectable level. After you've prioritized, you now need to maximize the windows of time that you've blocked off solely for basketball and get to it. Track your progress so you know you're improving. Don't forget weights and cardio training. Find someone to work with you. Do whatever you have to do to improve. Just make sure you're working when you're supposed to, and not TV binging on the couch.


3. Be relentless. This scenario is sadly, yet fairly common: Guy hits his workouts hard and is motivated to get better for a couple of weeks. The next week he hits it hard and is motivated for five days. The following week it's three days. The pattern continues until he's back to working out when he gets a chance, rethinking the path he wants to take in life. That's some heavy stuff, but it happens. Look at new year's resolutions. The success stories aren't as prevalent as the ones that let it go not even a month in. If you're going pro, you need to stick with it whether you feel like it or not! There will always be days when your body or the majority of your mind tells you "not today". Guaranteed. However, that small light in your brain that reminds you it's work out day is what you need to listen to. If you only work on the days you feel like it, you're selling yourself miles short of where you could be. It's said that 90% of success involves just showing up. Get yourself in the gym, and everything else will follow once you're there.

Bonus: There's a big difference between making the pros and being a pro. Now if you can get your talent up to a level where it doesn't matter if you lack good character and good work or moral ethics, then more power to you. We see pro players making bonehead decisions everyday, and they still keep their spot on the roster because their talent outweighs some bad publicity. However, chances are, if you're reading this, you're not quite at that level yet. Not to say you can't get there, but is that really what you dream when you envision this being your profession?

What I explained above in prioritizing, putting in the work and being relentless describes a player who knows what he wants, knows how to get there and won't allow anyone or anything to get in the way. These traits will allow you to not only improve as a player and a person, but it will spread into other areas of your life. When those habits have become intrinsic, that's when you set yourself apart from the average. You become a pro. From a coach's standpoint, they're the best players to have. Coaches will do whatever they can to keep a player like that on their team. As a player, you love to have them as teammates. Talent is great, but when you add to it the right mindset and approach to the game, you become invaluable to a team.

So, again, if you're serious about breaking into professional basketball, start getting things in order today. Start working your mind and body towards the level it needs to be in order to go pro. Don't quit. Stay motivated. Looking forward to seeing you on the big screen.

About the Author:

I'm a professional basketball player, a freelance writer, and an author.

I love connecting with like-minded people: motivated, introverted entrepreneurs.

Stop by my website for more sport-related and life-related self development and motivation.

http://www.kellywilliams21.com

Copyright © 2015 Kelly Williams, All Rights Reserved

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_J._Williams

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8874515

Good in Practice, Bad in Games

You feel like you're ready. You've put in the work. Hours and hours at the gym putting shots up, training with your friends, doing drills.

Entire off-seasons put into a specific skill and then bam. It fails to translate to the games.

You fail to translate to the games. Somehow when it's go time, you start to feel the nerves. Everything feels more vibrant, alive. Every movement you make is slowed in time, and every decision possible races through your mind, making you doubt yourself on a second to second basis.

It happens at all levels. You see it in the NBA when players just seem to stagnate despite claiming they work on X,Y, or Z. (hey Dion, lookin at you bud).

So what can you do about it? How do you become the guy (girl) that is at his BEST in games, the Timmy T of basketball? Let's look at a few things you can do to up your performance.

1. Visualize. Visualize and visualize some more. You ideally want every moment and experience that you're going to have in a game to feel like you've had it tons of times. When you step on the court, you've pictured it a dozen times already. When that ball's going for tip-off, you've focused on the feelings of nervousness that you may have.

You've felt the way the ball feels when your hands are hyperactive and yet somehow unresponsive.

You've pictured your first layup with the defense on your back. You've pictured that first pass before you put up a shot.

By doing this you will lose a degree of that nervousness or urgency that you feel in games that is probably a factor in your "shaq-at-the-free-throw" type of game.

Interestingly enough, you don't want to feel completely disengaged with the experience, as some arousal is good, so if you get to the game and you are so disconnected that you don't even feel like you care about basketball, start getting pumped and being loud with your teammates like you see pro players do at the start of every NBA game.

2. Focus and trust. A big factor in the struggle-in-games syndrome is an over-thinking of every action you take and a one mind track on results.

Am I having a bad game? Am I having a bad game? Where's my mom? What does my mom think? Oh crap what does my girl think? My teammates all hate me. Kyrie hates me (my worst nightmare.)

That good neighbor guy who says he's always there isn't there anymore, that's how bad I am for this one mistake.

And that's the issue. It's one mistake. By over-thinking every missed shot, every mistake, you guarantee that you'll make more mistakes, and miss more shots. Moreover, you'll be disengaged in the game and not focus as much on things like defense and bringing up the energy of your team. Good going, negative nancy.

Instead, focus and trust. You know you've put in the work. You know that. You've seen your shot swish in practice tons of times and you've seen yourself play better than your competition plays in games.

So trust your body. It's not the time to analyze anymore. It's time to play. Just trust your body and focus only on making the right basketball decisions.

It sounds counter-intuitive: See the forest, not the trees. If you keep making the right decisions and not beating yourself up for the result, eventually that result is going to catch up.

So lose the pressure and relax.

3. Practice better. If you're on an actual team doing scrimmages and such this is less likely to apply, but it's still important for anyone doing training on their own or playing for fun. You need to simulate what goes on in games in practice.

You've probably heard this before, and if so it's because it's true. You need to play at "game speed." In games you get tired; everything feels faster. One second you're coming around a screen, the ball gets thrown at you, you realize you're open and shoot before the window closes.

There's no space for "let's take a break, grab a soda, and listen to the Weeknd" here. Take the same shots in practice that you would in games, at the same speed, in the same condition (tired as hell).

For a last little quick tip, have an idea of what you want your performance to be. The feeling that you want to have. You know when you make that and one and you feel like you're on top of the world? Something like that.

Focus on that image and block everything else out.

http://www.and1kings.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hayden_Walker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8978036