Golf Product

Archive for May, 2009

Top Notch Golf Courses

A discussion of top notch golf courses is a lot different than a discussion of favorite golf courses. Although each golfer might have his own favorite, there are a few that have always stood out.

Anyone with a serious interest in golf will have heard of St. Andrews in Scotland. This is not only a Mecca for serious golfers, but is also where the game originated. St. Andrews is really a whole series of different world class courses that surround the town and run along the rugged Scottish coast near the town of St. Andrews. Although some of the courses are over 100 years old, there are some new and modern courses mixed in for variety. Despite year round play, these courses are among the best maintained in the World. It appears that the Scotch have the experience to do this job correctly. They are known for hosting the British Open.

The courses at St. Andrews are across an ocean which poses a slight disadvantage for the American golfer and many who make this journey are a bit shocked by the higher costs and green fees here. Most people are too blown away by the awesome scenery and the sense of golfing history to notice and the thrill of playing St. Andrews is rarely a disappointment.

The Augusta National Golf Club is another top notch course. It was designed and built in 1933 by golf legend Bobby Jones and has hosted the Masters Golf Tournament since 1934. It is a private club golf course that has been in the news recently for more than just the Master’s Tournament. There are only about 300 members. The membership fees range fro $250,000 to $500,000 a year and in its entire history no female has ever been a member. Although women are allowed to play the course as guests of members, they are restricted from membership. This caused a bit of a stink recently as the National Organization for Women put pressure on the club to change its policy.

Pebble Beach in California is like St. Andrews in Scotland. It is not just one golf course, but rather a series of top notch golf courses all in one location. Pebble Beach could be better called a golf destination than a course. There are seven public or private courses located at Pebble Beach. The Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the public courses and is possibly the most top notch course in America. It is the one of only two courses in America to make the top of the “best courses” list in Golf Digest.

St. Andrews, Augusta, and Pebble Beach might be the most top notch golf courses in the World, although another writer might pick another for this list. In the end, the choice might be personal. The most top notch course in the world, to an individual, might be where they shot their first par or even where they first learned to play and love the game.

Aazdak Alisimio writes about golf courses for GolfClubCourse.com.

Top Notch Golf Courses / Author: Aazdak Alisimo

Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs

Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs are available in two versions of two different models, for a total of 4 product lines. These include the Slingshot Hybrid and Slingshot Tour Hybrid, the CPR3 Wood and CPR3 Iron-Wood. This article will review the attributes of each of these hybrid golf clubs.

Slingshot Hybrid and Slingshot Tour Hybrid
Both of these clubs have an MSRP of $199 US for either steel or graphite shafts. The Slingshot Tour is targeted for low handicap golfers, and the Slingshot is for less skilled players. Both clubs aim to deliver a center of gravity (CG) that is low and as far back behind the face as possible. This type of club head design is geared to making the ball get up into the air easier and to be forgiving of off-center hits. Both clubs look like a hybrid or small fairway wood with the upper back section removed. This is readily evident on the company’s web site. The weight thus removed is then redistributed in a thick sole and a thick bar around the back of the clubs called a Slingback bar. The result of this design is to have 70% of the mass of the club head below the equator of the ball. The face plate on both clubs is made of 455 stainless steel which is normal for high-end hybrid clubs like these.

There are 5 clubs available in the Slingshot line. These are 2-6 hybrids. Perhaps it bears repeating that hybrid clubs are designed to replace long irons that are difficult for most golfers to hit solidly on a consistent basis. A 3 hybrid will replace your 3 iron, for example. All the clubs in the Slingshot product line are available for both left and right handed golfers. There is no women’s version of this model available, or for any of the Nike hybrid golf clubs models for that matter. Of course both steel and graphite shafts are available. Custom fitting options exist for club length (-1/2” to +2” from standard) and for lie angles (-2 to +4 degrees from standard). One would need to have a custom club fitting to know if he needs to order any of these changes. This is a good idea in any case for a person thinking of investing in a set of new golf clubs.

As stated, the Slingshot Tour Hybrid is for low handicap players. In fact Nike notes that their Tour staff requested such a model be developed. Four clubs are available in 1-4 hybrids. The shafts on the Slingshot Tour Hybrid are slightly heavier than on the Slingshot. The same options to customize club length and lie angle can be chosen.

CPR3 Wood and CPR3 Iron-Wood
These two hybrids have an MSRP of $139 with steel shafts and $159 with graphite. The CPR3 Wood clubs have a deeper sole and have more of a wood bottom footprint, thus the name. The upper back section is cut out, and thus again weight can be redistributed around the periphery of the sole to lower the CG and move it back. 2-5 hybrids are available, and all lofts come in left handed models. No women’s versions of this product line are available, nor are there any options for customization as there are with the Slingshots.

The CPR3 Iron-Wood has a smaller footprint which is more like a typical hybrid club. This version is targeted to lower handicap golfers and is available in 1-4 hybrids in either steel or graphite shafts. Left handed clubs are available, and as with the CPR3 Wood, there are no custom options for club length or lie angle.

Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs do not come with versions to provide a hook bias to help golfers with a consistent slice, or adjustable club head weight versions as is offered by Taylor Made, for example. It will be interesting to see if the popularity of those design features or the demand for women’s hybrids will be high enough to motivate Nike to add these types of clubs to their product offerings. Nike is certainly a top rank golf company, however, so if one of their models fits you properly, you will be playing with excellent clubs.

Walt Ballenberger is a life-long golfer and founder of Hybrid Golf Clubs, a resource site for golfers. For a Free Report entitled “How to Find the “Sweet Spot” on Your Golf Clubs in 10 Minutes” visit Hybrid Golf Clubs

Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs / Author: Walter Ballenberger
       
Occupation: Web Master
Walt Ballenberger is web master for Hand Painted Silk Scarf owned and founded by his wife, Linda Ballenberger. For a $10 discount on your first purchase, visit Hand Painted Silk Scarf. Each silk scarf is unique and all are hand painted by Linda, an accomplished artist.
http://www.hand-painted-silk-scarf.com

Jewelry- Epitome of a Bride

Wedding day… The most beautiful day in a woman’s life, the day she wishes to stand out of the rest. The day when she gets to look like a princess, with her prince charming; her knight in shining armor, by her side, celebrating their love and compassion for each other together. Beautiful indeed; but for this blissful dream to come true, there goes in a lot of effort.

To look like a princess, you need to get everything right; your hair, your gown, your make-up and most importantly your jewelry. In recent times jewelry has become an indispensable part of a bride’s ensemble. Be it a simple pearl necklace, or a beautiful pair of earrings, or even a diamond tiara; jewelry sure add that special something to your wedding ensemble.

Selecting the right kind of jewelry largely depends on the bridal gown; whether it is strapless or has a low neckline, or a gown with a high neck. In case of strapless gowns and gowns with low necklines; necklace and earrings will complete the look. In case of gowns with high necks, a beautiful pair of earrings will do wonders.

So how to decide what jewelry will go best with your bridal couture? It doesn’t really require any sort of expertise. Just a few simple tips will help.
1. You can never go wrong with pearls. They are the ideal choice when it comes to traditional wedding jewelry. They are the epitome of love and purity and go well with the white and pink gowns. They are simple and serene, yet adding that air of elegance to your look.
2. Bling it on! Diamonds will definitely make you shine like no other. Scintillating diamond jewelry will definitely make you look like a zillion bucks. Just remember not to go overboard with a lot of diamonds. Keep it simple, classy and glamorous.
3. Bracelets can be worn with sleeveless or half sleeved or even on gloves.
4. Make sure to choose the right earring: if you have a narrow face, then dangling earrings will suit you the best. If a round face then button earrings should be your ideal choice. And in case you are not adorning a necklace, then a statement making earrings will definitely add that special spark.
5. If you wish to look like a beautiful princess, tiara is your perfect accessory.
6. Your engagement ring will show your love and commitment for your spouse.

Now that you know all about bridal jewelry, one last advice- always remember to keep it simple and stylish, because when it comes to bridal jewelry, less is more!

Sharon Reid writes on various subjects from the world of jewelry and shows special interest in topics pertaining to diamonds, gemstones, gold and pearls. She has over 15 years of experience and now writes exclusive articles for B2C Jewels. She has learnt with time and commands expertise in the field of jewelry writing. Her tips on finding authentic pristine jewelry are extremely useful.

Jewelry- Epitome of a Bride  / Author: Sharon