Archive for the ‘golf scoring’ Category

Hitting Par: The Canadian Dollar vs The American Dollar

In over 30 years, since November 1976, the US dollar and Canadian dollar have not been par until now. As the Canadian economy has been progressing over the years, the US economy seems to have fallen behind with all its turmoil.

golf channel

The war in Iraq has not helped the US economic situation but rather offset the deficit, and in a move to avoid the forecasted economic recession due to the credit crunch, the feds cut interests rates by 0. 5 points to 4. 75 percent. The move to cut interest rates to ease the mortgage industry has weakened the US dollar against foreign currency including the Euro, and giving the push for the Canadian dollar to hit parity with the US dollar. One US dollar now buys one Canadian dollar. But the Canadian dollar’s gain isn’t only linked to the US federal interest rate cut, but can also be seen as the Canadian economy has been booming in an upward gain from 2006 with a low inflation rate, and a red hot oil industry. This rapid progression of the Canadian dollar against the US comes as a shock to some Canadians, who measured the Canadian dollar value at . 62 USD only four years ago in 2002, and now hitting par seems too good to be true. As Jeff Rubin, chief economist and strategist at CIBC World Markets, stated, “the Canadian economy that once used to be the sleepy little resource backwater of the North American economy is certainly turning the tables on its big brother in a hurry. ” So what does all this have to do with Canadian and American dealings with each other? Well, for starts there will be an increase in American exports as buying from the American markets will become cheaper for Canadians. Although, vice versa Canadian exports to America will also decrease, as it will simply cost more for Americans to buy Canadian manufactured goods. The Canadian tourism industry will also suffer, as more American visitors will decline as the dollar parity discourages Americans from shopping in Canada, since the one time savings of up to 40%, due to the dollar value, will no longer be available to Americans. Although, Canadians will suffer in sales, they will gain in purchasing from American based businesses, and buying cars from the American side is becoming more attractive to some Canadians. As car prices in Canada are much higher than in America, a lot of Canadian shoppers will find drastic savings by traveling south of the border to buy a car. The difference in prices may not be the greatest for all cars, but gaps in some categories such as luxury sports cars, will save a Canadian buyer almost $14,000 on average. But the high loony will put pressure on Canadian companies that are dependent on exporting to the US, who is also Canada’s largest trading partner. Already, in 2006 there were almost 100,000 job losses in southeastern Ontario, due to the rising Canadian dollar against the US dollar. Even with such a massive job loss, the Canadian economy is still doing well, as the manufacturing sector loss a total of 289, 000 jobs since 2002, the Canadian economy has created over one million jobs in resources, construction, services, health care, education and financial industries, leaving the national jobless rate at 30-year low. In contrast the Canadian dollar seems to be stronger over the American for the time being, but only time will tell the future of the American dollar vs. the Canadian. If asked to predict, there is always uncertainty, but given factors such as future interest rate cuts by the Americans, could possibly even lower the US dollar compared to the Canadian, and this could become reality in the next 6-12 months.

Par 3 Golf Course – Fun For the Whole Family

Now it’s time to head to the golf course. You can’t wait to try out that golf swing of yours. Try going to one of your local public golf courses. There are many very nice public golf courses that are also very challenging. These courses are much cheaper than a lot of your fancy country club type golf courses. Check out what types of golf courses are in your area. There are a couple of golf courses by me that are only 9 holes. One of them is a par 3 golf course. This is an excellent type of course to bring your kids when you are just introducing them to golf. The course is smaller so they can hit any club they want. Also with the golf course being so short it is easier for them to walk it. Another advantage of a par 3 golf course is it gives you plenty of practice with your irons. You will always be using an iron off the tee so you will know exactly how far the green is and how far you hit your club. One other great advantage of a par 3 golf course is it’s not expensive. In fact it is cheaper for me to take my family there as it is to go to the driving range. You should also see if they have a nice driving range, putting green and even a chipping green. These all come in handy to loosen you up before your round starts. Don’t forget to check the clubhouse. See if they have a golf pro that runs the pro shop. If they do see if they offer lessons and how much they cost. This is a good way to learn the game and also become friends with the person who runs the show at the golf course. So check around, find what is right for you and get out there and have some fun.

Fitness for Golf – Hill Sprint and Shoot Par

Watching Tiger Woods this past week (pre knee surgery)reminded me that golf season is about to start for many people out there.

This is the time of year that I often get questions about how to best train to improve your golf game. Questions like this one:

“Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I am going to ask it anyway. I am a 45 year old male, and I live in the Northeast. I am currently amassing information for me to devise my off season fitness program for the glorious sport of…(please sit down before continuing)…GOLF!

Currently, my winter program is going to be extremely eclectic, with a combination of weights, kettlebells, bodyweight exercises, stretching/yoga/pilates, and, up till now jogging.

Enough background…my question is this… will hill sprinting help with my golf game? Intuitively, I would say anything that burns (the blubber) off my body is going to be beneficial to all aspects of my game and life, and further, the strength built in my leg muscles through your program must help as well, but I want to hear what you think.

I hope I haven’t wasted too much of your time, and again, if this is a stupid question, feel free to say so.

Cheers,

Brian

No question is stupid Brian. Although I admit I had to do some research to match hill sprint training with the game of golf. Here goes.

Yes, hill sprints will help your golf game – and here’s 7 ways they’ll do it:

1. Dynamic warmups and static stretches done on the hill will increase your flexibility. This can lead to longer backswings which will generate more club head speed – in other words, you’ll hit the ball farther and straighter.

2. Hill sprints will strengthen your abs – this will help prevent lower back injuries which are common in golf.

3. Hill sprints will strengthen your upper leg muscles which can improve your balance during your swing.

4. Hill sprints will strengthen your hips – more power and speed in your swing.

5. Hill sprints will strengthen the muscles in your lower legs… perfect for push-off power in your down swing.

6. Sprinting up hills will strengthen your core and trunk. These muscles are essential for the twisting motion of your golf swing.

7. Hill sprints will increase your stamina and endurance. Most golfers see a major decline around hole 13 due to a lack of endurance. Better stamina will improve your consistency on that back 9. Increased stamina will also help you stay consistent in your putting – fatigue can lead to the loss of fundamentals.

Hey, I found even more links between hill sprinting and golf than I originally thought of… again, goes to show you that working out using the right kinds of exercises will transfer to almost any activity that you want to improve in.

Delight high with the par quality of Gold coast golf holidays

Proceed the golfOZ tours and tourism, if you easily wish to Sizzle with above par golf during your gold coast golf holidays. You would undeniably get the best gold coast golf packages with golfOZ Tours & Tourism. Gold coast is thought as one of the most highly stayed golfing playgrounds across the whole world. Located in the southern east of Queensland, the golf course is an really gorgeous destination. The splendid looking beaches at gold coast are stretched to about seven miles in length along the area. Also, in the list of world heritages, rain forests in Gold coast are solicit. The theme parks of Gold coast are astounding. The Gold coast is a heart for you if you are a shopping buff. The exclusive casinos situated at Gold coast are of international level as they provide their patrons the best and most exciting exchanges. The nightlife of the city is tremendously amazing. Above all, your gold coast golf holidays can become one of the most impressive memories for you and your loved ones. You can relish warm climate all round the year at the Gold coast. The gold coast has an ever smiling sunshine mainly for its southern hemisphere site. Therefore, sunshine is flattering in Gold coast for more than three hundred days a year. So, you can undeniably tag gold coast as the best place to enjoy the gold coast golf tours. There are several exciting golf courses at the gold coast, which would make your golf tours more thrilling. The Royal Pines are amongst the recognized golf courses of Gold Coast. However, this attractive golf course is now owned by the Victoria based RACV. The golf course is also really renowned for the female and part time golf fans. Another golf course, named Lakelands is very eminent in Gold Coast. This striking golf course has about eighteen holes which are authentically intended by Jack Nicklaus. The attractive golf course also has a wonderful layout. In the Lakelands you will also find the various facilities of the pitch which includes of the floodlit driving range, pro shop etc. The hope island is also one of the most stylish golf courses in gold coast. It was earlier a public resort, but later on it was owned by the Troon Golf, which is a mogul in golf course management. With the change, the name of Hope Island was also changed into the Links hope island. The Hope Island has assorted awkward challenging elements, which makes it a bit arduous for the amateur players. Even, the Palm Meadows and Robina Woods are some of the famed golf courses in gold coast. The aforementioned golf courses present at the gold coast would definitely facilitate you to sharpen your golfing skills and you can pleasure with par superiority at your gold coast golf holidays.

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