Archive for the ‘Golf Equipment’ Category

Golf Carts: Free Golf Carts Stimulus Package

Anybody want free golf carts?! That’s a free golf cart which qualifies for a government tax credit. “The purchase of some models could be absolutely free,” Roger Gaddis of Ada Electric Cars in Oklahoma said earlier this year. “Is that about the coolest thing you’ve ever heard?”

The golf-cart boom follows an IRS ruling that many golf carts qualify for the electric-car credit.

Tony Colangelo, in Florida, calls himself “golf cart man” and is already advertising free carts.

free golf charts

Golf Cart Man is referring to his offer in which you can buy the cart for $8,000, get a $5,300 tax credit off your 2009 income tax, lease it back for $100 a month for 27 months, at which point Golf Cart Man will buy back the cart for $2,000. “This means you own a free Golf Cart or made $2,000 cash doing absolutely nothing!!!”

Fox News has been reporting on this “loophole,” so no wonder the president doesn’t like Fox News. An electric golf cart qualifies for a tax credit, and some dealers as above are raking in the bucks and driving out the golf carts.

Where is the stimulus money going? It’s in part going to buy golf carts. The golf-cart boom has followed an IRS ruling that golf carts qualify for the electric-car credit as long as they are also road worthy. These qualifying golf carts are essentially the same as normal golf carts save for adding some safety features, such as side and rearview mirrors and three-point seat belts. They typically can go 15 to 25 miles per hour.

free golf cart

In South Carolina, sales of these carts have been soaring as dealerships alert customers to Uncle Sam’s giveaway. “The Golf Cart Man” in the Villages of Lady Lake, Florida is running a banner online ad that declares: “GET A FREE GOLF CART. Or make $2,000 doing absolutely nothing!”

Tips On How To Buy Golf Accessories

There is a seemingly endless supply of golf accessories on the market today, and more are coming out all the time. But which ones are good investments, and which are a waste of time? Well, let’s discuss some of the golf accessories that have proven themselves to be most useful.

Very high on the list of the most useful golf accessories are golf books and videos. Of course, there are countless books and videos on the subject of golf to choose from. But for those that are just beginning, or for those that want to improve their game, books and videos can be a great aid in learning how to play the game better. It’s always best to take golf lessons from a qualified pro who can analyze your particular swing characteristics and help you correct mistakes that you’re making. But having some golf books and videos that you can also look at and study on your own can be beneficial as well. The advantage that books and videos have is that they can give you step-by-step diagrams and images that can make learning the game so much easier. So why not ask your golf instructor for his recommendation on the best golf books and videos to use along with his personal instruction?

Golf gloves have been in use for many years, and they have a very beneficial use for most golfers. It’s obvious that the golf swing introduces quite a bit of torque in the body during the backswing, and it’s very easy for your hands to lose good contact with the club while going through the backswing. A good golf glove can help prevent the club from twisting in your hand as you swing, helping you maintain a more consistent swing every time. When looking for a golf glove its usually best to stick with a leather glove, and one that is water repellent.

Knowing the distance to the golf pin from where you are on the course is one of the most difficult things for newer golfers to master. But these days, you can buy a golf range finder to help you calculate the exact distance to the flag every single time. Usually these range finders come in a binocular design and use a laser beam to calculate the distance to the flagstick. So if you happen to be terrible at guessing distances, a good golf range finder can be a worthwhile investment.

One of the most useful golf accessories that you can buy is a good set of golf clubhead covers. As your clubs travel in your golf bag they often bang against one another, and it’s very easy for them to actually damage the club faces when they do. Having a good set of club head covers can solve that problem easily and quickly, protecting your irons and woods from knicks and scratches along the way.

Golf swing software can also be beneficial for many golfers, helping them break down each segment of their swing and analyze it carefully. Many golf analyzer software programs will even allow you to compare your swing with some of the pros, giving you a good example of what you want your swing to look like as you make improvement. All you have to do is capture the video of your golf swing, and then use the golf swing software to make the analysis.

The game of golf is meant to be both fun and challenging at the same time, and there are plenty of golf accessories that meet that criteria too. Hopefully the list of accessories mentioned above will help you be able to improve your game as well.

Snapshot of Golf Rules

Did you know there are over five hundred pages in the official USGA rule book. Well instead of reading all five hundred pages, allow me to give you an overview.

Remember, the rules may not always be fair, but like your parents’ rules ? they’re rigid. To keep the integrity of the game, rules must be adhered to.

First, let me explain a little history. In 1744, the Company of Gentlemen Golfers was established in Edinburgh and then codified the first rules of play which have been evolving ever since.

GOLF RULES

Tee Time – Remember to tee off either between or behind (up to two club-lengths) the tee-markers. Don’t tee off in front of them.

Playing The Ball – Play the ball where it lies and don’t try to make the course any better by moving, adjusting, fixing or bending and of the natural scenery (except when taking your stance or making your swing).

Ball Lost or Out of Bounds – If you lose your ball and can’t find it after five minutes, you have to play another ball from the spot where the last shot was played and you lose one stroke.

Ball Interference – If you deflect or stop your ball in motion you’ve cost yourself two strokes. Accidents will happen, but you still pay the price. If a ball struck by you is interfered with by someone else, play it as it lies. If your ball is struck by another ball, there’s not much you can do about that.

Ball At Rest Moved – If you move your ball after it’s come to rest, you’ve cost yourself a stroke.

Obstructions – If they are in your way, It’s allowable to move obstructions such as rakes, trash, leaves, etc. If an immovable obstruction, such as a water fountain, interferes with your stance or swing, you’re allowed to drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest clear point that’s not nearer the hole.

On The Green – After getting your ball on the green, remove the flagstick from the hole and replace it when all players have finished the hole. You can pick up and clean your ball on the green, provided you replace it exactly where it was.

NOT JUST THE RULES OF GOLF, BUT….

Use common sense – The idea here is just common sense courtesies. When it comes to attire, make it appropriate. Regarding noises, don’t make loud noises. How about the trash on the course? Well, if you don’t like your car filled with trash, then don’t toss cans or bottles on the course. Oh, talking on your cell phone is kind of rude also. Just remember common sense courtesies are all about “doing onto others as you would have them do unto you”.

Arrive on Time – Most courses are pretty busy so arrive on time.

Let Others Play Through – If you can’t get through a hole or a shot in a reasonable amount of time, let those behind you play through.

Toss A Coin – Who plays first is usually decided by a coin toss, but you can be creative. Spin the beer bottle works for some.

Stand Clear – Don’t get in the way of someone’s shot. This is not only courteous but in the best interest of your safety. A one-pound clubhead moving at 100 miles per hour can easily turn your head into mush.

Replace Divots (also known as chunks of turf and earth scooped up during a swing) – This would include raking the sand trap after you’re done making your bunker shot.

Do Not Launch a Club – Don’t fling your club fifty yards when you miss that two foot putt. It may hit Johnny Cochran or someone else and you might find yourself in court.

Even though some can get pretty uptight on the course, having a great time out there should also be included when it comes to the rules of golf. After all, it’s just a game.

Do’s and Dont’s in Playing Golf

The game of golf was acknowledged in 1744, designed by the Company of Gentlemen Golfers in Edinburgh. Over the years, the rules have expanded so much so that the USGA needed a book to keep them all straight. It covers over 500 pages of rules and decisions; here we will highlight the most basic of them all to get you started.

When playing golf, your goal is sink your ball in a hole a couple hundred yards from where you start. The player that does this with the least number of strokes wins. Sounds fairly simple, right? In essence, but there are rules to every game, and to be declared the victor, you must adhere to them very strictly in the game of golf.

How to and not to Tee Off

Always tee off behind or between the tee-markers, leaving two club-lengths of space. Never tee off in front of the tee-marker.

It Came from Outer Space Ball Interference

Don’t stop or divert your ball while it’s moving, unless you want to forfeit two strokes. If your ball is interfered by another player, you must play it as it lies. If however, it’s struck by another ball, what’s that old saying? Que Sera, Sera, whatever will be, will be! But if you’re both on the putting green, that too will cost you a forfeit of two strokes.

How to get the Most Out of an Impossible Shot

I’m sure you’d like to give yourself the best possible opening for a shot, but you must play the ball where it lies. Don’t go uprooting plants or snapping them in half to give yourself the upper hand. The best you can do is adjusting your stance for the best possible swing.

Resting Balls Should Not Be Touched!

Thinking about nudging your ball after it’s stopped? Go ahead, and forfeit a stroke!

Where Oh Where Has My Little Ball Gone?

While we are on the subject of forfeiting strokes, if your ball is lost for more than five minutes, plan on playing another ball from the spot where you last shot and while you’re at it, forfeit one stroke.

Objects on the Course

But just to be fair, you may move out of place objects, out of the way. This means cans and bottle or gardening tools, but don’t try to move a statue or water fountain, you’ll likely hurt yourself! When this happens and there are immovable objects in your way, drop your ball within one club-length from the clearest point but not in the direction of the hole.

Let’s Talk Green

The green is an area with smoother grass, cut lower, near the hole. If you can get your ball there, move the flagstick from the hole but be sure to put it back where you found it, when the last player has finished. Here, on the green, you may pick up your ball, you must replace it right where you found it.

Do’s and Don’ts of Golfing

Let’s go over some guidelines. These should be fairly easy to remember because they are all common sense and thoughtful rules of etiquette. First, though you don’t have to wear checkered pants, dress properly for the sport, keep the volume down and don’t liter or leave your beverage containers behind.

Golf courses are buzzing places; try to be on time so you’re not holding anyone up. If you’re struggling with a hole and it’s taking some time to get through, let other play through. Make sure you turn your phone off as well.

Toss a coin or spin a bottle to see who goes first, never ever, ever flip a club!

Be courteous and think about your safety and others. Keep out of the way when another player is in the middle of a shot.

Cover the holes your clubs make in the ground, this is called replacing the divots. You don’t even need to bend to do it! And if you’ve dug yourself a sand pit, maybe you’ll consider leveling it out for the next unlucky shot.

Do I need to remind you not to flip, toss, throw, chuck or launch a club? Good! Now you’re ready to play golf, don’t forget your spikes!

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