First, it’s important to note that there is an actual definition of an amateur player according to the United States Golf Association. An amateur player reaches that status first by reaching what is known as golf skill. Golf skill is assessed by a player’s success at a competitive level. The level of competition can be local or national; the important aspect is that the player is successful competitively. Once a player has success in competitions and is recognized as having golf skill, this is known as golf reputation. Again, a reputation can only be gained through actual playing and recognition of golf skill. Simply being associated with the game of golf, administering tournaments or being an instructor does not gain a player reputation or skill.

After achieving a level of reputable golf skill and establishing a status, an amateur may become an amateur player. This is a player that does not yet play for money and does not accept money for teaching the sport of golf. An amateur player may not claim to be a pro golfer, either, and may not engage in any action that would credit them in the same fashion as a professional player. Breaking this code of ethics would also include accepting any endorsements from commercial groups, allowing names or likenesses to appear for commercial purposes, or entering into professional agreements with sponsors or agents.

Finally, an amateur player is not allowed to apply for membership to any organization for professional players. Of course, there are exceptions for every rule, and amateur golf is no exception. An amateur player is allowed to apply for an assistant professional player. They are also allowed to enter and play in a tournament or competition that will lead to play in a professional competition. The only difference in play between them and a professional player is that an amateur player must forfeit all rights to any prize monies that they could potentially win. And for people who run home based businesses you can of course play almost whenever you want.

There are many more rules and exceptions regarding amateur golf play. Basically, the important thing to note is that to become an amateur golfer is a simple task. It is only for those who love the game of golf and are serious in devoting their time to playing the game and improving their game. Becoming an amateur golfer isn’t for those who would like to create a career in the field of golf. With the rules of payment and expenses in place such as they are, it would be nearly impossible to create a career in amateur golf. Becoming an amateur golfer is more for a player that has already played competitively in a business or school league and is looking for play on the next level. Whatever the reason a player has for wanting to become an amateur golfer, it would be highly recommended that they become familiar with the rules and regulations set up by the USGA before they take that next step.

But that was only before I knew the numerous advantages of booking golf vacations online with many companies that specialize in these types of outings.

There are certain features that I look for in a company that arranges these types of getaways. First, I want a price that is all-inclusive, so I am not surprised by any hidden charges when it’s time to sign on the dotted line.

I want to know about any taxes and surcharges that will be tacked onto the final cost, and I like to get a rundown on the course fees, including cart rental before I go. Golf vacations should also include guaranteed tee times, and I have found that most travel specialists will handle these details to a “tee”!

I have had a blast touring many parts of the country for my golf vacations, especially the southern states like Texas, Arizona, Florida, and South Carolina. Some of the other destinations that I hope to explore soon include Virginia and Nevada, where I have seen some gorgeous courses featured in travel brochures and websites I’ve perused.

Once I have completed my tour of golf vacations in the continental United States, it will be off to more exotic locations like Mexico and the Caribbean. And how will I get there? On a cruise ship of course! There are cruises that will allow you to play eighteen holes at some of the finest courses in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico, while you enjoy fine accommodations, dining, and entertainment every night. It’s the perfect way to travel!

Golf vacations can vary greatly in the amount of time away — from quick overnight jaunts to long, leisurely treks that include plenty of entertainment off the links. Accommodations can mean anything from a luxury hotel room to a four-bedroom condo, depending on my preferences and my budget. The great variety in golf vacations allows me to enjoy these trips as often as I can fit them into my schedule and budget.

Retirement may be all about spending leisurely days on the greens, but there is no reason why I can’t enjoy a hefty dose of my favorite hobby right now. By booking my golf vacations online, I can enjoy eighteen holes in some of the most beautiful resorts in the world while I perfect my swing for those retirement years. Fore!

Article by Van T, you can learn more about him at his profile

A consideration to keep in mind is that simple golf swing is an effective starting point.

You are given the task of hitting a golf ball hundreds of yards into a small hole the size of a Dixie™ cup. Luckily, sand traps, water hazards, hills and other elements are placed along the course to make this learning experience that much more agonizing.

Not only is this overwhelming to a novice player, but add in the giant bag of clubs that are all different shapes and sizes, and the game of golf becomes an anxiety-driven punishment. What is a “driver”? What is a “club”? When is each supposed to be used?

An even more important question can be what is the most proficient golf swing speed to use?

A consideration to keep in mind in the game of golf is that there are three clubs available for you to use: drivers, woods and putters. Each club serves a different purpose and will cause a ball to travel differently from a tee or the ground.

Combining the correct club with the correct golf club swing speed is a potent combination. First, let’s get the clubs straight. Understanding this difference will transform the game of golf into a pleasurable pastime.

Firstly, the clubs you use must be appropriate for your stature. Clubs that are too short will leave you with an aching back, and clubs that are too long will leave you chopping into the course.

To become comfortable with the game of golf, you must begin with the proper equipment. A professional golf shop will be able to size your clubs accordingly.

Drivers and woods are used for distance. These are the clubs that the game of golf begins with.

Reserve the putter for when you have reached the green. You need to feel comfortable with all three of these clubs, as they can make or break your game.

Some of the most beautiful golf swings come after extensive use of golf swing analysis software. Ponder the many aspects of a golf swing, and see that the most proficient swing comes from constant practise and analysis.

A driving range is an excellent way to become familiarized with your golf equipment before you start golfing on the course, and is of course a great place to conduct your golf swing analysis and training.

Grip the club with your prominent hand below your other hand. The butt of the upper hand should rest at or near the end of the club assuming your clubs have been appropriately fitted to your height.

Posture-wise, you should stand to the side of the ball. Do not hunch over it or the fluid motion of your swing will be severely impacted.

Keep your arms bent slightly and place the club at the back of the ball. This is the perfect distance between you and the ball.

To develop your swing, you can practice without a ball and swing at the empty tee, learning the feel of your club and how to control the club so it is be within the ideal strike zone.

Certain clubs are designed to aid you in hazards such as sand traps. Mastering these tools will help you upon the misfortune that you land in one of these fun golf course elements.

Sand traps require a sand wedge, which helps you hit the ball from the sand. The consistency of the sand matters as well, as softer sand requires more effort on your part.

Practice with your equipment and understand their capabilities, and you will soon be on your way to enjoying the wonderful game of golf.

Overall, it’s a difficult sport to master that requires power, skill, the ability to quickly measure distance and an understanding of the course, the weather elements and the spirit of the game. It’s a great game, though, around which to build a fun golf vacation – even while learning to play.

Though the rules of golf are over 100 pages long in booklet form, the basics of the game are actually quite easy to learn – with or without golf training aids. A new player can typically pick up the bare bones of what he or she needs to know after a single round, though it takes years to finally perfect and master your skill.

In this article, we’ll talk about the basics of a golf course and a rough outline of the rules. However, to really understand golf, you should either watch others first or play a round yourself.

Golf Course Basics

All golf must be played on a proper golf course that consists of either 9 or 18 holes. Each “hole” consists of a tee-off area, or starting point from which the golfers first hit their ball with a club that is called a “driver.”

After the tee is the fairway, a typically long and somewhat winding stretch of green grass peppered with golf hazards like sand traps and waterways.

The fairway is followed by the green, the area surrounding the hole, and then the actual hole or target. The hole is where players need to eventually sink their balls.

Typically, an 18-hole golf course covers about 100-200 acres, nicely landscaped, well maintained and has a balanced amount of golf hazards like trees, sand dunes and waterways.

Golf Basics

Golf can be played two ways – in match play or stroke play. The rules do not allow players to play both ways at once.

In match play golf, each hole is played separately and the golfer with the lowest score, or number of club strokes, on a particular hole wins that hole.

For example, if a golfer wins the first hole, then he is one up, while the golfer who loses it is one down. If they tie on the hole, then they are square. The golfer who wins the majority of holes wins the game.

The stroke play version of golf is about the total number of strokes over the course of an entire round of golf. At the end of the game the lowest score, or number of club strokes, wins the game.

I discovered golf in 1999 while stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. Fees at the base course were low and there really wasn’t much else to do if you didn’t have a car. My buddy, Wade and I would go out three mornings per week and smack the ball around before heading to the office.

At first, I must admit that I hated it. Every ball I hit was either a “worm burner” or “duff shot” that traveled less than 20 yards. But each time I went out, I saw improvement and that kept me coming back.

Today I still play nearly 3 times per week. I am definitely not a scratch player, but I can hold my own and each round I have 3 or 4 brilliant shots that give me some bragging rights until next time. Golf is good fun, and cheaper than therapy; trust me!

Here are some quick tips for those of you looking to develop a solid golf habit of your own.

Get The Right Equipment Up Front

You can buy golf equipment in lots of places both on and offline. I always recommend, however, you stick with brand name golf equipment. I know this is contrary to what many people advise, but there is a reason some clubs cost more than others and it isn’t because they are pretty. Brands like Ping, Callaway and Nike have full line sets designed for beginners that are more forgiving of mis-hits and mistakes. This breeds confidence in your swing and ability to make shots. Solid technology is not often found in off-brands or copies.
In addition, I have no doubt that once you get out and play a few rounds, you’ll be hooked. It is always nice to start with better equipment, rather than upgrade soon after you make progress. Buy quality now so you don’t have to re-tool and spend more money later.

Take A Few Lessons

I was fortunate that when I first started, my buddy was able to teach me the basics and much more. But for most folks, it is a good idea to find a local pro and get some golf instruction. You’d be surprised how fast you can shave strokes off your game by taking advice from someone trained in the art of hitting par. Most pros will start you off by developing your swing to the point where it becomes natural. This normally takes place at a driving range where you can hit a bunch of balls in a short period of time.
Taking lessons is not as expensive as you may think, so get started soon before you develop any bad habits.

Find A Home Course

Most towns have at least one golf course, but most have more. Some golf courses are private, while others public. It’s always a good idea to establish a presence at a local course that you can learn and feel comfortable playing. This is also where you can make new connections and learn the social side of the game. Having a home course is also great when it comes time to entertain business clients or friends.

The time to get started and develop your golf habit is now. Winter will be over before you know it, and spring is a great time to get out and enjoy the links. Take advantage of pre-season pricing on everything from golf equipment to golf course memberships and even vacation travel packages. I’ll see you on the 18th green!

Stenson Takes 1-Stroke Lead At HSBC Champions

Henrik Stenson shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the HSBC Champions.

The Swede dropped a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th, putting him a shot ahead of four of the game’s top players: Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, defending champion Phil Mickelson and Australia’s Adam Scott.

Garcia nearly tied for the lead, but the Spaniard missed a four-foot eagle putt on the 18th. “Unfortunately, my putting stroke didn’t feel as good as it’s been feeling lately,” Garcia said. “Maybe it’s the jet-lag or something.”

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Learn To Golf Now!

Golfer John Daly Drunk, Detained in N.C.

Professional golfer John Daly was placed into police custody early Sunday morning after passing out at a Hooters restaurant and refusing to be taken to the hospital, police said.

When police arrived at the restaurant, emergency medical personnel were treating Daly, who had apparently lost consciousness earlier. According to EMS, Daly refused to go to the hospital.

Police said Daly appeared extremely intoxicated and was uncooperative, repeatedly refusing to be escorted to the hospital. Hooters personnel eventual asked Daly to leave the restaurant.

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Marino joins Verplank in Disney lead

Steve Marino posted a six-under 66 on Saturday to join overnight leader Scott Verplank atop the leaderboard after the third round of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic.
Verplank, who bogeyed the 18th hole for the second consecutive day, shot a three-under 69 to match Marino at 19-under 197. The pair is two shots ahead of Davis Love III (64) and Scott Sterling (66).

The Magnolia Course hosts the final two rounds after players competed with amateurs the first two days. Action was split between the Palm Course and the Magnolia Course.

This is the final PGA Tour event of the season, and players are fighting to get into the top 125 on the money list to keep their PGA Tour cards for next season.

You have to be mindful of some common mistakes that amateurs tend to commit and an experienced golf trainer can prevent you from committing those same mistakes.

Everything becomes easier with the help from a professional trainer.
This is one common mistake made by amateurs: new golf learners who are learning to golf usually lookup when striking.

This is not good because it can result in a stroke being counted even if you didn’t hit the ball. It is important to always look down before you have hit the ball. You can practice by keeping your hips rotated after the hit. Extend your arms fully – this position really helps a beginner who is learning golf. Pace yourself by counting to up five after a hit to avoid looking up too quickly.

Another usual problem for golf learners is that once on the green, too many putts are missed. You can avoid this by assuming a putting stance and looking at the top of the ball. This increases your probability of hitting the ball while steering it to the direction you want it to go. The success you experience will propel you towards greater accomplishments.
It is interesting to see the ball of new golf players, going to the sides instead of the middle of the green. Some patience will go a long way to remedy this situation.

Proper stance is vital to carry out the precise stroke. You have to ensure that you are taking the time to carefully examine your stance before each swing so you may have to back up a bit to ensure that you are not hitting the ball from the side of the club. Hitting the ball from the side of the club will definitely throw the ball to the side of the green. Ensuring a solid, square swing will cause your ball to go to the envisioned location with some practice.

Be mindful of hooking – they are very blatant bad habits that are common in most beginners learning to play golf. Some have a problem with their stance which causes the ball to hook, while others are grasping the club too hard, causing it to hit the ball the wrong way. Hooking the ball is also caused by the act of holding on to the club too tightly. Finally, always remember that practice is imperative in order to improve the game of golf.Learning to play golf is not an easy job that you can carry out brainlessly. Golf in reality is sometimes very complicated and will require that you pay close attention to the correct rules and form.

You have to be mindful of some common mistakes that amateurs tend to commit and an experienced golf trainer can prevent you from committing those same mistakes. Everything becomes more manageable with the help from a professional trainer.

This is one common mistake made by amateurs: new golf learners who are learning golf usually lookup when striking. This is not good because it can result in a stroke being counted even if you didn’t hit the ball. It is important to always look down before you have hit the ball. You can practice by keeping your hips rotated after the hit. Extend your arms fully – this position really helps a beginner who is learning golf. Pace yourself by counting to up five after a hit to avoid looking up too quickly.

Another usual problem for golf learners is that once on the green, too many putts are missed. You can avoid this by assuming a putting stance and looking at the top of the ball. This increases your probability of hitting the ball while steering it to the direction you want it to go. The success you experience will propel you towards greater accomplishments.

It is interesting to see the ball of new golf players, going to the sides instead of the middle of the green. Some patience will go a long way to remedy this situation.

Proper stance is vital to carry out the precise stroke. You have to ensure that you are taking the time to carefully examine your stance before each swing so you may have to back up a bit to ensure that you are not hitting the ball from the side of the club. Hitting the ball from the side of the club will definitely throw the ball to the side of the green. Ensuring a solid, square swing will cause your ball to go to the envisioned location with some practice.

Be mindful of hooking – they are very blatant bad habits that are common in most beginners learning to golf. Some have a problem with their stance which causes the ball to hook, while others are grasping the club too hard, causing it to hit the ball the wrong way. Hooking the ball is also caused by the act of holding on to the club too tightly. Finally, always remember that practice is imperative in order to improve the game of golf.