Net Gamblings

A power golf swing is the dream of every golfer. How many times have you hit one just perfect and tried desperately to remember what you did that caused this to happen?

A power golf swing is not about swinging hard.

So many times a golfer will try to “put a little more into it” to get a few extra yards. If you’ve tried this…what happened? Did you get those extra yards or did it go shorter and even offline?

That’s the point I’m trying to make!

To hit a LONG drive or add yards to every club in your bag…you need to be able to generate more clubhead speed, but under control. That’s where most golfers lose it.

If your body can’t physically make an optimum swing, from a mechanical standpoint, you have no business trying to swing any harder. The result will be a blown up score and drives that go significantly shorter…not longer.

The beauty of getting your body in better ‘golf shape’ is that you can hit the ball with more force…but with much less effort.

Let me explain.

If you’ve improved your core strength and flexibility for example, you will be able to make a FULL shoulder turn (backswing) with minimal tension. This backswing has now a ton of torque built up. With your newfound strength and flexibility…you will be able to ‘unleash’ that torque, powerfully into the golf ball.

Doesn’t that make sense?

Now imagine if you improved your overall body specific to golf. Now you’ve got a power golf swing that is under control and killing it off the tee! Your playing partners won’t know what hit them.

So the key to remember in an effortless power golf swing is improving your bodies ability to rotate and store energy…then ‘unleash it’ into the ball at impact.

If you are lacking distance and feel like you’re trying to swing harder, this is the reason why. A fit golfer has a HUGE advantage over an out-of-shape one.

Follow this advice and you’re on your way to an effortless power golf swing!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is the featured expert for Golf Magazine’s GolfOnline.com site, one of the top golf performance experts in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site – Perform Better Golf.

Back in late February I was getting nauseous listening to the garbage resonating from the San Francisco Giants training camp in regards to drug user Barry Bonds. He was as usual complaining about his aching knees, when what it really was the withdrawal symptoms from all the “ROIDS” that were being flushed out of his system. I suggested at this time that Barry would not hit over 25 homeruns in 2006, and urged you to place a bet if it was available.

Today it is May 15th and it certainly could not happen to a nicer guy then Bonds as he is struggling big time with a 2.17 batting average , 5 HOMERUNS and a paltry12 RBI’s in 32 games and 88 at bats. There is a great lesson to be learned from the faltering decline of Barry Bonds the former baseball superstar. When he decided a few years ago to prolong his career with the “Clear and the Cream” courtesy of Balco, his goal was to replace Henry Aaron as the most prolific homerun hitter in MLB history.

What he is going to get is a whole lot of grief and be chased from the game, as a less then average major league hitter. The chances of Bond turning this dismal season around, is about the same percentage that the Kansas City Royals have of not losing 100 games this season.

We are all guilty of at least once in our lives of fantasying about some dream scenario, that we have little chance of obtaining. But we all like to do it. As we have seen in Bond’s case, “Be careful what you ask for”!

February article reprint:

BARRY BONDS WILL NOT HIT 25 HOME RUNS!

It would be safe to say that very few people turn me off as much as Barry Bonds does and as I said a few years ago, I wish he would just go away and climb under the rock he came out from about twenty years ago. On the other hand, this is Major League Baseball and as long as someone is lining up with $18 million a year to pay him to play, why would he go away?

What really blows me away is his whining about his bad knee and how there are days when he cannot tolerate the pain. This is Barry Bonds not Jerome Bettis who is a athlete who has been getting pounded by vicious tackles the past fifteen years and plays a game where he actually does hit the grass.

Bonds has been standing in left field the past several years, playing a sport that requires you to stand in the sun for maybe twenty minutes at a time and every once in a while move a few feet to catch a ball or toss it back to the infield. I’m sorry I neglected to mention the 40 or so times he has to trot around the bases after a homerun, or the 100 or so times he must trot to first base after an intentional walk.

In the past three years he has had a total of 13 stolen bases, so I feel sorry for that man that he had to dive on the soft clay surface that at some parks is like a beach when he stole second base. The man made decision years ago to pump himself up with steroids, that resulted in his head swelling to the size of a basketball and gave him that instant gratification that several athletes yearn for.

Now he sits at training camp in Scottsdale, Arizona sounding like a man that just spent ten years on the battlefield in Iraq. I mean give me a break, get your sorry ass to the gym and get in shape like most normal athletes do and that is with sweat and tears.

As I mention in the title at the top of the page, I seriously hope that any sportsbook offers a proposition wager on whether Barry will hit over or under 25 homeruns. Most people would think that if he suits up for 100 games, hitting that number is a foregone conclusion, I beg to differ. This guy is going to get booed right off the field and hopefully he leaves the game for good, as professional baseball in America, has enough problems as it is!

Bob Acton

Online Sports Betting

Bob Acton is an experienced sports writer and handicapper, who has written for the sports industry for over 10 years. His years of writing for Sports Scene, sports consulting on 33 Made for Television and Major Motion Pictures and his work as an instructor at Pro Teach Baseball Academy, have made Bob a trusted and respected source in the sports world.

Basketballs were first manufactured around 1894 by Albert G Spalding. The basketball as we know it came about in 1934, with the official size 7, or 30″, being decided as the standard basketball size for men. The smaller women’s size was officially recognized much later.

Basketballs have three parts, the outer shell, the inner core, and the innermost bladder. The outer shell maybe made of leather, composite leather, synthetic leather, or rubber. The core is made of rubber or sponge, or a mix of both. The bladder is generally made of butyl rubber. Apart from these materials, basketballs for recreational games or children’s matches are made of materials as varied as plastic and foam.

Leather basketballs are suitable only for indoor play. If used outdoors, they tend to crack easily. Composite leather basketballs, on the other hand, are good for both indoor and outdoors play. But for playing outdoors on rough surfaces, rubber basketballs are the best.

There are other factors to be kept in mind while selecting a basketball. Does it afford a good grip? The Wilson Evolution series, for example, have a Dura fiber cover which helps the fingers grip the ball tightly.

Also, the bounce of the basketball must be smooth. This is ensured by even pebbling and wide channels on the surface of the ball. The third most important factor is durability- does the basketball retain it’s bounce after regular use or goes flat after a few weeks play?

Size and weight are also important factors while choosing a basketball. Almost all basketball retailers offer the NBA prescribed size chart that you can consult before purchasing a basketball.

Then there is the question of price- it is important to remember that expensive brands may not always give value for money. If you choose expensive basketballs with snazzy designs, they may not be able to last the rigors of outdoor play.

It is important to remember that one brand cannot fulfill all the above criteria and one has to choose from the many varieties available in the market. Each type of basketball has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Basketballs provides detailed information about basketballs, imprinted basketballs, and more. Basketballs is affiliated with Hockey Goalie Equipment.

RC cars generally need a paved surface to run on, so open parking lots of schools, churches, and office areas provide plenty of space to play on. If you’re racing or practicing on someone else’s property, it is extremely important to ask their permission first. And, if there are younger children out running their cars or watching, make sure there is proper supervision.

With RC trucks, the type of surface doesn’t matter as much, since they can be driven on pavement, dirt, gravel and all types of ground. Even long grass can be tackled- though only for short periods of time. Open fields, vacant lots, and construction yards are perfect places to run or race, as long as it’s safe and you have permission.

Though many people enjoy simply running their car by themselves up the street, this can be made infinitely more fun by practicing and racing with others. Setting up pylons easily turns an empty parking lot into a racetrack, while a vacant lot can be host to a tug-of-war.

If you prefer off-roading or a more rugged challenge for your vehicle, you can construct your own jumps in a field, yard or lot. Scraps of wood or cardboard can be used to make ramps and jumps or challenging obstacle courses. Off-road RC vehicles have a lot of power, but don’t overestimate their torque when you construct your track. Make sure that if there are younger children playing you have proper supervision.

But if you prefer official races, they’re held often enough that you can be racing every few months. For some hobbyists there’s nothing else that compares to RC car racing. Most race areas are on-road (paved) tracks, usually in unused parking lots. Other locations are off-road, featuring all-dirt surfaces with lanes separated by boards or plastic pipe. Most metropolitan areas have a race track nearby. To find the racetrack nearest you, start with the internet and the yellow pages.

About the author:

Mike Lindsey runs the RC Cars site, about buying and racing Radio Control (RC) Cars

Sports equipment has an extensive industry in today’s society on account of how vast an effect sports has on the public. People get sporting equipment of all varieties including sporting clothes, squad outfits & sports gear. The best way to slim down where to find your sporting gear is to agree on what you are wanting

The World Wide Web is the most suitable place to try to find the sports gear you would like. You can uncover a lot of great sporting stores on the Internet that offer anything & everything associated to sports. Although you do have to pay for transport and wait for your products to be delivered to you, the choice of equipment you will have will be far more than those in the proper shops.

So where do you even commence looking you may wonder. If you want sports supplies, there are many nationwide sportswear retail shops that sell a selection of sporting equipment. These sports outlets are convenient because you can find gear for all brands of sports in one central place as well as shoes sports apparel, outdoor clothes & basketball goods.

The downside to acquiring sporting items at a generic retail shop like these is that you might well not obtain the best quality stuff on the market. Without doubt you can procure quality goods, just not always the top of the line. In order to get the top of the line sporting items you will have to go to a retail shop that particularly sells what you are seeking. If you fancy football kits then go to a store that focuses on football. If you want a specific baseball bat, visiting to a baseball specific retail store will present you a greater possibility of discovering it. Find superb deals on horse riding equipment.

A further kind of sports goods that brings in a lot of returns is team sports gear. The ideal way to prove you passion for your much-loved premiership football team or golf team is to put on their clothing. Whether you desire a team’s scarf or a favourite sportsperson’s jersey, there is an assortment of retail outlets online & high-street stores that you can try to find what you’re looking for. One of the greatest outlets for sports items on the Internet is http://www.Sportswear-Equipment.com.

Related topics of interest include: Formula One Merchandise & Buy Toys.

Best: Pistons @ 76ers: Willie Greene missed 1 of 2 free-throws in playoff game vs. Detroit last year that could have given them the win. In return Phili gave him a mondo contract. And since Greene hasn’t played since with a season-ending injury. There’s some irony there in a cosmic way, since Philadelphia hasn’t improved on their #7 seed of last year. This should be a tight game only because Detroit is playing on the road but we will expect them to get the win.
Predicted Score: Detroit wins 96-93

Runner-up: Lakers @ Bobcats: Charlotte has a bright future. They can stock-pile their draft picks and should compete for a playoff spot in a year or two. Injuries are really hurting them. No Rush, Knight, Okafor, May or Wallace. That’s a decent team if all their guys are healthy.
Predicted Score: Charlotte wins 97-91

Blowout: Timberwolves @ Blazers: If Minnesota is genuinely better than they were before the deal then this team should be a piece of cake. Portland lacks difference makers that Justin Reed and Ricky Davis are. Ruben Patterson will need another big game. This should be an absolute route as the Timberwolves are motivated from their trade.
Predicted Score: Minnesota wins 101-86

We recommend only a few Safe Online Sports Betting Sites for you to start betting.

Swansea ended a run of five draw and cut the gap on second-placed Brentford to just one point after beating the Bees at the Liberty Stadium. Adebayo Akinfenwa gave the Swans the lead after 20 minutes but Andrew Frampton levelled for the visitors 10 minutes later. Any Robinson netted the winner four minutes from time for the 11/8 Swans to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive.

Huddersfield joined Brentford on 64 points after thumping Rotherham United 4-1 at the McAlpine Stadium. On-loan Jonathan Forte gave the 9/2 Millers a dream start after 13 minutes but a hat-trick of headers from Andy Booth and a fourth from Gary Taylor-Fletcher six minutes from time sealed an easy win for the 6/10 Terriers.

Leaders Southend suffered an unlikely defeat at rock-bottom MK Dons. It looked business as usual for the even money (Ladbrokes) Shrimpers as veteran striker Shaun Goater broke the deadlock after 13 minutes but Gary Smith levelled three minutes later with a 30 yard wonder strike. Scott Taylor completed the fightback with 12 minutes to go for the 14/5 Dons.

Colchester ended their eight match winless run and kept their play-off ambitions on track at the expense of relegation threatened Swindon. A penalty from Chris Iwulemo after 14 minutes was enough to secure maximum points for 6/10 United.

Barnsley occupy the final play-off spot after a 1-1 draw at struggling Hartlepool. Joel Poter gave the Monkey Hangers the lead after nine minutes but Anthony Kay equalised nine minutes before the break to set up a 9/4 draw.

Oldham are just two points away from the play-offs after their 4-1 demolition of Bradford at Valley Parade. Paul Warne and Luke Beckett gave the 17/10 Latics a 2-0 lead after 17 minutes and Richard Butcher added a third nine minutes before half time. Aaron Wilbrahim pulled one back for the Bantams five minutes after the break but Beckett added a fourth on 82.

Frank Barlow extended Notingham Forest’s unbeaten run to five games with a 2-1 win at Doncaster. Kris Commons on 25 and Grant Holt two minutes after the break put 11/5 Forest in the driving seat before a James Coppinger penalty four minutes from the end gave Rovers hope.

Bristol City rose comfortably to mid-table after battering fourth-from-bottom Gillingham 6-0 at Ashton Gate. At even money, the Robins were the best bet of the day as goals from Steven Brooker, Louis Carey and Cole Skuse before the break were followed by Carey’s second, Luke Wilkshire and Mark McCammon in the second half.

David Walker runs free bets and UK poker websites. A free email course: “Seven Days to Better Betting” is available at both of these websites.

If you are just beginning your golf-playing career, you may feel that you are totally and completely lost, you probably are as a matter of course, but we all start somewhere. You may be someone who has watched games for years and hoped to get out on the course and try it or you may be someone who has never even bothered to watch a game of golf before. I don’t blame you, golf is not the most exciting of spectator sportsthat is until you have your own appreciation for a beautiful shot. Trust me it is a much more interesting spectator sport once you’ve been beaten up and down the golf course by mother nature.

Even if you’ve watched the pros for decades (they make it seem so very easy don’t they) you really have no idea of the mechanics and mental preparation that goes into every single golf stroke. You don’t go and just start hacking away at the golf ball. If you do, your ball isn’t going to go very far. Here are a few golf playing tips to get you off to a good start.

1) Start off by spending many hours at the driving range. You want to learn how to hit a ball before you decide to play a game of golf. It isn’t rocket science if you’re playing for fun (obviously no one starts out at a pro level) but spending precious hours at the driving range will save you a lot of money and a lot of frustration.

2) While at the driving range pay attention to how you stand, how you breathe, how you swing, and most importantly what the ball does after you hit it. Don’t just keep hitting ball after ball without taking note of what you are doing and how your actions effect where the ball lands.

3) Don’t believe everything you hear. Golfers are a friendly lot by nature and for the most part sincerely want to be helpful. Unfortunately, what works well for one golfer may be detrimental for your swing. If you want advice or help with your game, consult a pro (it is well worth the money and something I highly recommend).

4) Don’t swing your club at the golf ball; swing your club through the golf ball. This is by far the best piece of advice I’ve ever received about my golf game. So many of us focus on hitting the ball (that’s what we want to do after all, right?) that we forget that the ultimate goal is to get the ball where we want it to go.

5) When addressing the ball, concentrate on where you want the ball to go rather than where the ball is at the moment. You are much more likely to hit the ball to the spot you are concentrating on. Try it; I’m pretty sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

No advice is fool proof or one size fits all but these are good golf playing tips that have helped me out a lot in improving my golf game. Hopefully, they will serve you well also.

Edward Charkow is the administrator for Analyze Golf Swing. For more information please visit http://www.analyze-golfswing.com

If you’ve been playing golf for a while, you know that your golf bag can get quite heavy after just a few holes. While the heaviness of the golf bag isn’t enough to keep you from getting out on the green, it does wear on you and you’ll find that you are tired after the end of a day of golf. One of the best ways to prevent fatigue after a great game of golf is to invest in a golf cart also known as a golf trolley. These awesome little contraptions can help you maneuver your golf bag and gear from hole to hole allowing you to concentrate on your game.

A golf trolley may not be an ideal investment for golfers that only get out on the course once a year, but if you play even a couple times a month you’ll find that a golf caddy is one of the best investments you’ll ever make where your golf game is considered. While carrying your golf bag isn’t the end of the world and doesn’t require extreme strength, many avid golfers simply find that the extra fatigue after 12 or 18 holes simply isn’t worth it because it does detract from their concentration as well as their accuracy. If you’ve noticed this, you should definitely look into a golf cart of some kind. There is a golf caddy for everyone, no matter where they play or how often.

There are several types of golf carts for you to choose from. There are electric or motorized golf cart options, golf pull cart options, and even a golf caddy that is controlled with a remote so that your clubs are carried throughout the course literally hands free. How much you play will really depend on what type of golf cart is for you, but with a wide selection out there every golf player will find something that is right for him or herself.

One of the best golf carts currently offered is the Golf Caddy X2. The X2 golf caddy is an electric cart that will help you guide your golf gear through the courses very simply and easily. You don’t have to worry about the X2 tearing up the green or being too noisy and disturbing other golfers. This is a high quality electric golf cart that will allow you to enjoy your golf game all that much more. The price of the X2 is right around $500.00 which isn’t all that bad if you consider all that it will do for you and how much easier your golf game has just become.

If you are really looking for a state of the art electric golf trolley, you should definitely look into the remote control golf caddy known as the Caddy X3R. This is an awesome golf bag cart that will allow you to truly move your golf gear from hole to hole with very little effort. A push of the button on the tiny remote that will fit easily into your pocket will have your cart guided right to you. Again, this is not a noisy or destructive golf caddy, so you will be allowed to use it on the greens if need be. This extremely upscale golf caddy can be purchased for right about $800.00, which is impressive for the technology it offers.

If you don’t golf often enough to spend much on a golf cart, you can always opt for a golf pull cart. This is simply a cart on two wheels that will make guiding your golf gear from hole to hole much easier. There will be no shoulder fatigue as you maneuver around the course; you simply have to pull your golf bag along with you.

Golf-Offers.com is a new online Golf Equipment Store.
To check out our selection of Golf Carts, including electric and remote controlled golf caddies please click here: Golf Carts

As you leave the Twin Cities area and drive northwest on Interstate 94 about 2 hours you come to the beautiful west-central Minnesota town of Alexandria. Along with the statue of “Big Ole” the Viking in the downtown area to greet residents and visitors there are also many wonderful lakes around the area. There are seven golf courses in and around the Alexandria area. You’re sure to find a golf course that’s a perfect fit for your group to enjoy!

Alexandria Golf Club 18 holes 320-763-3605
Arrowwood Golf Course 18 holes 320-762-8337
East Mill Nine Golf Course 9 holes 320-886-5500
Geneva Golf Club 27 holes 320-762-7089
Lake Miltonia Golf Club 18 holes 320-852-7078
Nordic Trails Golf Course 9 holes 320-762-5420
Rodina Golf Course 9 holes 320-554-3385

If you are looking for a weekend getaway from the Twin Cities or if you are planning a week long vacation from another part of the country the Alexandria area has a lot to offer you for a Minnesota golf vacation!

ALEXANDRIA GOLF CLUB: Alexandria Golf Club is the oldest golf course in the Alexandria area; dating back to 1915.The Alexandria Golf Club is an 18-hole facility that plays 6,504 yards from the back tees with a course rating of 71.9 and a slope of 132. The 7th hole has an elevated tee that plays 172 yards from the back tees. The shot to the green is over a creek, which protects the putting surface. The green is shaped like the state of Minnesota. Alexandria Golf Club has been host to one of Minnesota’s longest running golf tournaments, The Resorters Invitational. 2006 marks the 85th year of The Resorters Invitational, which will be played this year July 30th through August 5th. Alexandria Golf Club is the place that PGA Tour Professional and USA Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman learned the game of golf. If you are planning a vacation to west-central Minnesota, do yourself a favor and make a tee time at Alexandria Golf Club 320-763-3605. Non-members can make tee times 3 days in advance.

ARROWWOOD RESORT and CONFERENCE CENTER: On the shores of beautiful Lake Darling is the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center. On this property among many other activities to enjoy is an 18-hole par 70 golf course. The fees at Arrowwood Golf are very reasonable with 18 holes during the week at just $27.00 and $2.00 additional for weekends and holidays. Gas carts, pull carts and golf club rentals are also available. Advanced tee times are required and can be made by calling 320-762-8337. Arrowwood Golf is open April through October.

LAKE MILTONA GOLF CLUB: As we continue to highlight golf courses around the Alexandria area, Lake Miltona Golf Club is a must play when visiting west-central Minnesota. The golf course was established as a 9-hole course in 1965 and has been expanded and improved over the years. The most recent upgrades are a new clubhouse facility in June of 2001 and the expansion to an 18-hole course a year later. From the back tees the 18-holes play at 6,293 yards with a course rating of 70.2 and a slope of 122. Call ahead for a tee time 320-852-7078

GENEVA GOLF CLUB: As you drive through the town of Alexandria and continue northwest on State Highway 27 you will come to Geneva Golf Club. Geneva Golf Club is a 27-hole facility with 3 very different 9-hole courses. The courses consist of The Ponds, Island and Marsh all of which have bent-grass fairways and multiple tees. Variety of tee choices makes these golf courses a challenge for players of all abilities. The natural beauty of the surroundings was designed into every hole at Geneva Golf Club. Call for tee times at 320-762-7089.

ALEXANDRIA AREA 9-HOLE GOLF COURSES: The Alexandria area has wonderful things to do with water sports and other activities. If you happen to be staying at one of the area resorts or perhaps own a lake cabin and have young golfers in your group, you may want to check out one or more of the 9-hole courses for your getaway . You can contact any of the 9-hole golf courses in advance for tee times.

East Mill Nine Golf Course at 320-886-5500
Nordic Trails Golf Course at 320-762-5420
Rodina Golf Course at 320-554-3385

With all the rich history in the Alexandria area make sure you allow enough time to take it all in. Make your reservations for your Minnesota golf vacation this summer!

Copyright 2006 Dana Buttenhoff

Dana Buttenhoff is an avid golfer and a native Minnesotan. After 20 years of golf and traveling around the USA, Dana would like to share the golf gems rural Minnesota has to offer. http://www.minnesotaruralgolf.com