Know Your Shopping

If you are seeking a set of golf clubs for ladies, there are a few things you may not be aware of. Some of these things may include the use of shorter shafts and grips, as well as lighter club weights to add more forgiveness and distance to the majority of ladies swings. Golf clubs for ladies are built to help the lady golfer gain more confidence on the course.

You can find golf clubs for ladies just about anywhere you would find all other golf clubs made by top quality producing companies like Callaway, Nike, Wilson, Cleveland and a number of others. Shaft are available in ladies flex and club heads have a higher degree of loft to help get the ball in the air for more distance and optimized angle of trajectory.

With golf clubs, including golf clubs for ladies, remember that you do get what you pay for. If you are a beginner golfer, you may want to rent or borrow a set to determine whether or not you like the sport. Once you are decided on being an avid golfer, it would be wise to invest in a set of good clubs. You will achieve better results and will enjoy the game much more. Quality golf equipment may be more expensive, but you will hit the ball further and with more accuracy.

Dean Cecere is writer and owner of “golf-equipment-accessories.com”.

Please visit us for additional info and resources concerning Golf Clubs For Ladies

Thank you and please feel free to use this article providing the above link is left functional.

Copyright 2006 J Lance Curtis

There are many criteria to selecting the school that is worthy of the investment, and this is not an exhaustive list. However, consider these to get you focused on what is important to you.

Key #1) Golfing style
As with any topic or subject matter to learn, golf can be played in many styles. Most of them based on your personality and skill level. Some play aggressively, others, like me, more conservatively. But ultimately you have to choose a school or instructor that matches you.

Your skills, your personality, your style.

Key #2) Problem areas
I have trouble with slicing. Consistently I find that my shots slice to the right. You, to be sure, have at least one issue with your game or specific shots. You may want to find a school to address and help correct that shortcoming. If you come back from a long weekend and your slice has vanished, you would have had time (and money) well spent.

Key #3) Instructor to class-size ratio
This is a personal preference item. Some people learn in a group setting (even craze the interaction). Others of you need the attention that a one or two person class offers. It may also depend on what you are trying to gain from the school which one you actually choose.

Key #4) Price
For some this may not be an issue. Golf is your life and no amount of money is too much if you improve your game, and thus your enjoyment. For others, big obstacle. If you are considering a golf school then you know that most start above $1500. There are some “big name” instructors offering half day lessons for $10,000.

You know your budget. If you are price sensitive then, by all means, do not forget to add in travel, lodging, and food costs. Many times these “incidentals” can double the overall cost.

Key #5) Proximity
What is your traveling distance? Is your schedule tight so slipping off within 100 miles for a half day lesson is all you can squeeze. Or, are you planning your school around a vacation so distance is not really an issue. One plus of keeping tabs on those schools “in your own backyard” is when these offer last-minute specials you can jump on those quickly.

Key #6) Length of training
How long can you take off from your profession to pursue your passion? Like any good consultant would answer, it depends. It depends on whether you are looking for a long weekend, a one day seminar, or wrapping a vacation around your training. This is an important factor in choosing a school so compare wisely.

For more insights into choosing the golf school that is right for you check out TheGolfSchoolGuru.com/index1.html

180 to tire Trap

(it is best to learn this on a mini ramp until you can do it on the ground). Get average speed going up the ramp. Hit the lip and do a fly out and 180 by kicking the rear end around as you’re about to land. Lean back slightly and lock back brakes. (David the Jesus)

360

know what foot you go to the ramp into) If you go with your right foot, spin to the right and vice versa. When you get to about one foot before the end of the ramp, jerk your front tire to right and follow through with your body. Master this motion and soon you will get a 360. (Matt)

Curtain Call

Go as fast as you can and hit the ramp. Once you are five feet in the air, put your left foot on left front peg and hold on with just your left hand. Take your right leg and arm off the bike while holding on with just you left arm and leg.

Flatland Bar Spin

Start with your left foot on the left back peg. Keep right foot on pedal. Slow down to a walking pace Put your left or right hand on the front of the seat. Pedal quickly with the right foot and pull up with your hand that is on the seat.

Try balancing with your front tire up and spin your handlebars around. Grab the handlebars and put everything back on. (Once you get good at this, you will be able to do 3, 4, or 5 bar spins).

Superman

Get a lot of air, and keep on trying. It’ll take a little (okay, A LOT) of pain to get it right, but it’s well worth it.

Turndown 360s

The key to doing a 360 is to turn your head and upper body in the direction you plan to spin throughout the rotation; where the head leads, the body will follow … hopefully.

Double tail whips

To do a tail whip, swing your right foot over the frame, and when at a fast walking pace, jam it in between the front forks and the tire. With your left foot still on the pedal, push the frame around in a counterclockwise direction.

Keep your left foot in the air and use it for balance. Make sure to hold the front brakes. When the frame gets all of the way around, use your left foot to stop it, by placing it on the seat post.

Take your right foot off of the tire and put it onto the right pedal, then swing the left foot over the frame and onto the left pedal, then pedal away. You’ve done it!

720s

Bigger spins take more windup with the upper body (throwing your body into it), and more time to come around. Entering a spin slightly on edge can help get the bike turning, but wait until you’ve left the ground to really start the rotation (spinning too early may cause you to catch an edge).

Turn your head and upper body in the direction of the spin as you leave the lip of the jump. Continue to look that way-over your lead shoulder-until you spot the landing. Fixing your sights on the landing and extending your body will stop the rotation, allowing you to set ‘er down real nice.

Daniel J Lesser is the creator of BikeChoices.com Assembled by BMX and mountain bike “experts,” you’ll find every bit of information you could ever need about BMX and Mountain Bikes. Find out how to best enjoy your next ride at http://www.bikechoices.com

Favre Plays Santa Claus in Latest Packers Loss … Apparently Brett Favre is already in the charitable holiday spirit after throwing five interceptions in the Packers 21-14 road loss at Cincinnati. Favre actually turned the ball over six times if you count the fan who stormed the sidelines and stole the ball from him during a last minute unsuccessful drive. When asked about his performance after the game, Favre responded admitted me might have had ulterior motives: “I am close to the end with this horrible team and I am just preparing for life after football. So I want to show the guys at the mall hiring Santa Clauses that I can be just as generous as anyone.” It was the third time this year that the Orange Catswho easily lead the NFL in picksintercepted five passes in a game. More good news for the Bengals: They are 3-1 SU and 3-0-1 ATS on the road and travel to Baltimore this week.

Chargers Find Spark At End of Game … San Diego finally finished what they started in a 28-20 win over Kansas City. After four excruciating losses to the Cowboys, Broncos, Steelers and Philadelphia by a combined 12 points where they led all four teams in the 4th quarter, SD made sure not squander an 18-point lead this week. Interestingly, the Chiefs had three red zone possessions in the final 17 minutes but managed just one field goal. SD is now 5-2-1 ATS this year despite playing seven of eight games against teams currently with winning records. The Bolts are actually 18-5 ATS going back to last season and get a small break on the schedule this week against the 2-5 New York Jets. FYI: Marty Schottenheimer’s bunch is 10-1 ATS on the road the past two seasons!

Eagles Clipped… Philadelphia surrendered 564 yards and 49 points in a 28-point drubbing courtesy of Denver this week. There is something not quite right about Philly this year. Heading into this season, the Eagles were a bookie crushing 67-38-3 ATS since Andy Reid took over in 1999. But this year, Reid’s bunch is an overvalued 2-5 ATS and have dropped three straight against the number. For that matter, they are damn lucky to be 4-3 SU on the season. Don’t forget about last week’s miracle win against San Diego where their prayers were answered with a block field goal-turned TD late in the 4th quarter. This came after the Cowboys pasted them 33-10 in Big D the game prior. And the Dallas thrashing came one week after they snatched victory from the Jaws of Defeat by rallying from a 17-point deficit against the Chiefs at Arrowhead. It seems to us that the only person luckier than the Eagles right now is the head photographer for Playboy magazine. We’ve talked on these pages about the Eagles ineffective 32nd ranked running game. And injuries have really turned McNabb into Mc-Not from a running perspective as the Eagles signal caller has tallied just 21 rushing yards on the entire season. But don’t expect much sympathy from their upcoming opponent, Washington, which will be itching to get on the field after taking a butt kicking themselves this past week at Denver.

Oddsmakers Plead Temporary Insanity After 49ers Game … You think you have seen it all in this business until you open up the paper last Monday morning and find Chris Simms as a 11-point road favorite in the NFL. It’s like suddenly waking up and discovering that Jessica Simpson has been inducted to the MENSA society. Hindsight is of course 20-20 and few things are more annoying than listening to a gambler talk about the games he should have played after the fact. But in the 15-10 road loss against the 49ers, Simms threw just one TD and two interceptions against one of the worst NFL defenses in recent memory. Interestingly, SF accumulated only 208 total yards on the day and has actually been outgained in each of their three pointspread wins this year. But the Buccaneers 23rd ranked offense wasted a fine performance by the team’s No.1 ranked defense in the NFL. For what it’s worth, TB host Carolina this week and is 3-0 SU (2-1 ATS) at the Pirate Ship as well as 13-4 ATS as a host their last seventeen after a road loss.

New York Delivers Washington Giant Butt Whooping … Perhaps playing with a bit of extra emotion following the death of their late owner Wellington Mora this week, New York throttled division rival Washington 36-0. It was surprisingly the first time all year that the Giants outgained an opponent in handing Joe Gibbs his first regular season shutout ever. Even more startling is New York’s 31st ranked defense holding Washington No.2 offense to a pathetic 125 yards. Washington doesn’t have a whole lot of time to lick their wounds with Philadelphia on deck this week which is coming off their own embarrassing loss at Denver. Note that PHI is 9-4 both SU and ATS their last thirteen meetings in the Beltway.

Jags Not Ready For Prime Time … What is wrong with this picture. Jacksonville racks up 400+ yards on offense. Fred Taylor rushes for 125 yards. The Jags are coming off a bye week after two straight impressive wins against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Their opponent, St. Louis is playing without their starting QB (Bulger), two starting receivers (Bruce, Holt), their best pass rusher (Little) and their head coach (Martz). Final Score: St. Louis 24 – Jacksonville 21. As Jack Del Rio said after the game, “We’re not an elite team.” Apparently not. Your team missed two field goals and had a punt blocked by an opponent whose special teams over the years have been anything but special. Your team had a chance to turn the corner just like they did last year when all you head to do was beat the Terrible Texans in the season finale at home to make the playoffs for the first time in four years. But you choked on your own vomit then as you seemingly did this week against a depleted Rams team. Don’t worry though … There is talk your team may jettison out of Florida and head to L.A. Other than all of this, it’s great to be a Jags fan in Jacksonville these days. And by the way, if revenge is a dish best served cold then lucky for you those same Texans pop up on the schedule this week at home. The same Texans who grabbed their first win of the season against the hapless Browns on Sunday but who are 0-6 ATS after a home win the past three seasons.

Patriots Turf Vulnerable? … It was hardly a thing of beauty but New England rallied late from a 4th quarter deficit to defeat divisional rival Buffalo 21-16. The Bills easily grabbed the green though as a 9.5-point dog and outgained the Superbowl Champions 394 yards to 273. BUF also controlled the ball for 39 minutes and held NE to just 1-of-7 on third down attempts. Perhaps some might say that the Pats were caught looking ahead to their huge Monday Night Football showdown this week against Indianapolis. But there should be concerns in the Boston area and not just the effect that those horrible accents are having on unsuspecting tourists. They rank just 28th in rushing and 26th in total defense. We are not sure this team is as strong as the recent versions of the past, but note that NE is 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS the past five meetings against the Colts. Then again the Colts are 7-0 SU and 5-2 ATS. That said, Tony Dungy’s bunch has played only one opponent currently with a winning record. In fact, Indy’s seven opponents are a combined 17-33 SU on the season. And yes, those trucks you see outside the NFL Commissioner’s office are in fact presents and gifts sent by the Indy faithful.

William Foote is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/William_Foote.htm.

The best golf training aid is pretty basic.

But first let us answer a simple question so that we’re all reading from the same page.

What makes the best golf training aid? In other words what qualifies it to be the best?

I believe that the fairest answer to that question is that it must be the sort of golf training aid that has the best impact on your golf game. It has to be the sort of equipment that produces the best results in terms of improvement in your golf game over the shortest period of time possible.

Having laid down the ground rules, or made them clear, let me add that there are a number of different training products that can qualify to be the best golf training aid. But for the purposes of this article, we will focus on only one.

One of the best golf training aids has to be a weighted club. A weighted club has several advantages that makes it so effective in helping many golfers improve their swing technique and thus their golf game.

To start a weighted club enables a golfer to accomplish or practice two different aspects of their golf swing at the same time. With the limited time most golfers seem to have, this has got to be the most favored plus point that this golf training aid that is contention of being the best has.

Firstly because of the additional weight, a golfer is able to exercise and condition the muscles they use for their golf swing. Secondly the weighted club also enables the golfer to work on their swing technique. Right from the set-up to the backswing and follow-through.

Considering what most trainers say is the most common mistake made by poor or bad golfers, the weighted club can go a long way in correcting it. Some experts in golf training say that the most common mistake made on the course is golfers trying to hit the ball as hard as possible. This not only causes tense muscles and the opposite in results, but it can also quite easily result in injury.

A weighted club will help condition and strengthen muscles so that the golf swing is executed in a more relaxed and yet extremely powerful manner, which is bound to produce the best results.

Despite the fact that there are so many different types of equipment, challenging the weighted club for the title of the best golf training aid is not easy.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Visit his new golf fitness site at Perform Better Golf.

Two both famous and infamous golfers known for their tempers and club throwing exploits on the golf course, were battling head to head and coming into the final round of the tournament. The entire golfing world was looking on. As the two greats made one bad shot after another, they all too often followed them up by throwing their clubs. Some of these clubs ended up in the lake or against a tree. As they were preparing for the final round, one of them was asked whom he thought was going to “lose”. “That’s easy,” he said, “the guy that runs out of clubs first.”

Everyone that plays this game has been tempted to make their own entry into the club toss championship, and all too many of us have given in to that temptation. But I can’t believe how many clubs I have broken by pure accident (yeah right)!

The first really expensive golf club I ever bought was a custom made driver by one of the great master club makers in Carmel, California, home of Pebble Beach. I spent a couple of days of my vacation being fitted and for three weeks waited anxiously for my new club to arrive in the mail. Man was it great! I was just pounding the ball to deepest depths of the driving range and just couldn’t wait for Saturday to get here so I could unleash this beauty in real action.

Finally, the day had arrived. I was loading my gear and changing my shoes, and one of my buddies came by and asked about the new club I was bragging about. I pulled it from my bag and handed it to him to check out. I walked around my car to make the final check to see that all the doors were locked. I shouldered my bag and slammed the trunk of my car. At the time it sounded a little weird, but I was anxious to get started so I didn’t bother to look.

When our names were called to the first tee, I was ready! I reached for my hot new driver; just knowing it was going to be a great day… it wasn’t there. My knees quivered, I had to choke back a blood-curdling scream and nearly fell to the ground in a fit of rage as I remembered that funny sound I heard when I slammed my trunk just a few minutes ago.

Then there was the time I had a shot that had to get up fast and carry a bit farther then I usually hit my 60-degree. I was under a tree but had no overhanging limbs. I could have a Tiger-like go at it. Big mistake. I wound up like I was John Daly, figuring I needed that extra long swing that only Big John can deliver, and swung with all my might. Tree root! Damn! I jarred every bone in my body. It was three holes later when I finally got my eyes back in the right sockets and discovered I had bent my steel shafted wedge. Not to worry, just a little pressure over the knee here and we can… Snap! Okay, so now I have a really short-shafted wedge for really tight back swings.

But I just may hold the dubious honor of the all time greatest moment in club breaking history. I was playing head to head with my regular foursome, and we had come to the last hole and the big money was on the line. A great drive had put me in unfamiliar territory, about 20 yards closer to the 18th green than I had ever been. An even better 6-iron put me about five feet from the hole on this difficult 4 par, which I had only rarely parred and never birdied in my life. Man this was great! I was about to birdie a hole that for years had been giving me fits, and I was going to win all the money with one shot. It just doesn’t get any better then this.

The other three had all finished up, and it was down to my very makeable, very easy, only slightly up-hill, straight in putt… nearly a kick-in. I milked it for all it was worth. I plumbed it, stalked it, walked around it again, repaired imaginary ball marks and rubbed it in as best as I could. Finally I approached the ball… dead in straight… not a problem. Perfect backswing… beautiful putting stroke… nice follow through. It was great… moving right on line! The money was mine! Fist pump in motion… No! Wait! What the h…!!!??? All of a sudden my ball is flying like a nine-iron shot and shoots twenty feet past the hole!! And there next to hole was the head of my putter, right where it had landed after falling off the shaft and hitting the back of my ball. Two putts later I’m finally in the cup, in the dumps and out of the money. To this day my playing partners are insisting that I should have also been assessed a two stroke penalty for striking the ball twice. I’ll let you look that rule up.

If you have a Great Golf Story you would like to share, email it to floyd@sbmag.org

More interesting golf stories at: http://www.sbmag.org/Golf_Stories/Great_Golf_Stories_Index.

No permission is needed to reproduce an unedited copy of this article as long the About The Author tag is left in tact and hot links are included. EMAIL: floyd@sbmag.org.

Floyd Snyder is an avid, high handicap golfer and the owner of Strictly Business Magazine at http://www.sbmag.org and http://www.TraderAide.com

Tiger Woods today strolled to his second British Open Golf title finishing fourteen shots under par, five shots ahead of the veteran, the Scot Colin Montgomerie. It was Tiger’s tenth success in major tournaments and now only Walter Hagen’s eleven majors, and Jack Nicklaus’s total of eighteen lie ahead of him.

Earlier in the week on the Friday Jack Nicklaus had said an emotional farewell to a huge crowd of golf fanatics who applauded him and Tom Watson all the way around the famous old course at Saint Andrews on the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the headquarters of golf.

But this was Tiger Woods’ tournament and he stretched his lead overnight as all of his rivals failed to put in a strong challenge. One by one they fell by the wayside, and in truth Tiger always gave the impression that should a real challenge have materialised, he would have been able to raise his game. Nevertheless he won by five clear shots to confirm once again, as Colin Montgomerie said afterwards, that he is indeed the leading golfer of his generation, possibly any generation. It wasn’t all bad news for Colin, his second place moved him fifty-nine places up the world rankings to twenty-second.

Jose Maria Olazabal finished a creditable joint third on minus eight, sharing the third prize with a delighted Freddie Couples. As for the other challengers Retief Goosen and Vijay Singh fell away and were never able to land a blow, the same could be said for Sergio Garcia, and Kenny Perry. Ian Poulter finished the best placed Englishman in what was ultimately another poor overall showing by the UK based players.

The weather remained fine throughout the four days of competition with barely a shower of rain. Occasionally the wind blew but never gale force as it can do on this exposed Scottish east coast course. The crowds came in their droves, forty thousand more than last year, and despite the one sided victory everyone enjoyed the week. Once again the old course failed to throw up a hole in one, there hasn’t been one on this course in the Open Championship since Ben Crenshaw’s in 1984.

Before the championship began Tiger was available on the betting exchanges and in the betting tents at 3/1 against and a huge tip went round that Tiger was in the mood to do the business. Plenty of huge bets were struck and many of the professional punters went home happy to thoroughly toast Tiger throughout the evening. Just for once the bookmakers must have taken a battering. Aint that a shame!

Next year the championship returns to England, and to Hoylake for the first time since 1969. Hoylake is a seaside links too, set on the Wirral beside the Dee estuary that looks out across Hilbre Island and over to North Wales and Snowdonia beyond.

Tiger has already sent out a warning to all the others. They will have to improve considerably down on Liverpool Bay if they are to stand any chance of removing the coveted claret jug from Tiger’s iron grip.

David Carter has written hundreds of articles for numerous magazines, newspapers and websites. His most recent work is the property letting handbook SPLAM! 244 pages of expertise gleaned over twelve years of successful property management. His new work, the novel “White Flags” will be published in the new year. He runs three websites SPLAM! for property letting, Homemax for small business and home workers. (This includes a section on sports trading and betting and the site also offers FREE worldwide classified advertising to trade and private advertisers alike.) and Pebble Beach Media, a site that provides thousands of holiday cottages, apartments and villas throughout the globe.

Websites:

http://www.homemax.co.uk
http://www.splam.co.uk
http://www.pebblebeachmedia.co.uk

The Sacramento Kings will head into their Thursday night game against the San Antonio Spurs without their new star forward, Ron Artest. Artest, the NBA’s 2003-2004 defensive player of the year, was suspended today by the NBA for one game without pay, according to officials.

Spurs -10 o/u 180 @ WagerWeb.com Sportsbook

The suspension was the result of Artest making forearm contact to the head of Manu Ginobili, a guard for the San Antonio Spurs, during the first game of the series. The timing couldn’t be worse, with Sacramento heading into game 2 of the series with one loss under their belt already. The Kings lost to San Antonio during Saturday’s game, 88-122, in the first round of the playoffs.

Ron Artest joined up with the Sacramento Kings this season and he is considered an extremely valuable asset to the program and to the team. The numbers Artest puts up every game will be greatly missed in game 2 against San Antonio. There will be many disappointed Sacramento fans who will not get to see Artest play in the upcoming game.

During the 2005 regular season, Artest averaged 16.9 points per game for Sacramento, with a field goal percentage of 40.1%. In addition to his high scoring ability, Artest continues to be one of the leading rebounders for the Kings, averaging 5.2 rebounds per game. Artest set his career goals high for the number of rebounds per game this season with the Kings: 14 rebounds in an earlier season game against Chicago. These are the numbers that Sacramento will be missing during his one-game suspension.

Artest, who is considered by many to be one of the best defensive players that the league has to offer, has brought great talent to Sacramento. He is currently ranked #18 in the NBA for steals, #10 in the NBA for minutes per game played, and #4 in the NBA for steals per 48 minutes. He is extremely talented on both sides of the court, making him a very important player for the Kings.

Despite not having Artest, the Sacramento Kings are far away from just handing the game over to San Antonio. Sacramento will be looking for Shareef Abdur-Rahim to play a strong forward position in Tuesday night’s upcoming game. Abdur-Rahim, who is no stranger to the NBA, has put up a strong 12.3 points per game and an average total of 5.0 rebounds per game this season with the Kings. Shareef Abdur-Rahim has played in the NBA for the past 10 years and he is no stranger to a little pressure.

Sacramento was counting on having Artest for the entire series and some people fear that losing him for one game could be detrimental for the team, since they are already one game down. However, the Kings will attempt to remain in good spirits for game 2 of the series, on Tuesday night, with the tip-off scheduled for 6:30PM local time, San Antonio. The game will be covered on television, nationally by TNT and locally by News 10.

Bet the NBA Playoffs @ Wagerweb.com – Click here to view live odds

www.wagerweb.com/sportsbook/

Whether you are contemplating an RV purchase or an RV lifestyle, it’s critical that you know what you are getting into. As fulltime RVers, we did a lot of research before we jumped in. We really talked through what we wanted, and took steps to “try it on for size” before we made major decisions. Renting an RV was one of these trial techniques.

RV Rentals are a great way to travel by RV without actually owning one. You can vacation, see new places and learn more about your RV lifestyle firsthand. It’s a good idea to rent an RV before you buy.

Here are some tips for renting an RV:

Plan where you want to go.
Consider places you want to see, and how much time you have. Depending on season and popularity of your destination, you may need to make campground reservations.

Decide on the right mix of travel time and stopping time. We suggest you allow some “down” time with no particular agenda. Moving everyday or constantly driving long distances, leaves little time to relax or fully explore your destinations.

Remember the interests of everyone going on the trip. Perhaps you have a mental picture of enjoying the great outdoors, fishing in peaceful solitude. You envision old-fashioned good times and bringing the family closer together. Before you get too carried away…make sure the rest of the family is on the same wavelength. Otherwise, your trip will be less than ideal.

Consider the type of RV you want to rent. If you can rent a model that is similar to one you are considering for your RV lifestyle, your “trial” will be more realistic. Most RV Rental companies rent motorhomes. Class C “cab over” motorhomes are typical, but smaller class B (camper vans) and larger Class A motorhome rentals are often part of the line-up.

Pop-ups (tent campers) can be rented from many places. Towable fifth wheels and trailers may not be as prevalent, but can be found at a growing number of companies.

And many companies rent RV units designed to tow large gear (some brand names include Fun Mover, Toy Hauler and Raptor), which have space in the back of the unit for motorcycles, ATVs, golf carts, maybe equipment or inventory you use in a job on the road. More lifestyle choices!

Research RV Rental Locations: Are you going to rent near your home? Or will you travel to a pick up location?

What are you going to bring? This might make a difference in where you go, as well as where to rent. Note that many RV rental companies rent RV livability packages — which include kitchen utensils, pots and pans, linens, towels, and the like. Some also rent bicycles, folding chairs and grills. And some RV rental companies accommodate fly/drive renters by providing helpful transportation from a nearby airport.

Will you need a separate car?
If you do, ask your RV rental company if they allow you to tow one behind the motorhome — some companies do not permit towing, or have limited liability.

If you do tow a car with a rented motorhome (or it’s your car/truck towing the rented RV), educate yourself on weight limits and safe towing equipment. If your RV rental agency allows towing, they should be able to help you.

Compare — Collect some price quotes and start comparing. Note what you are getting with each quote, and add in additional expenses you will incur, so that you have an apples-to-apples comparison.
Compare the things you care about:

• Can you tow a car for day trips?
• Does the RV rental firm allow pets?
• What mileage is included?
• Add in your estimated fuel expenses.
• Are insurance costs included? What is covered?
• What’s the deductible?
• Is there optional coverage available?
• Check your personal insurance policy to avoid paying for coverage you may already have.
• What is the deposit and deposit return policy?
• Are there prep, cleaning or other additional fees?
• What type of air conditioning and heating?
• Is there a generator? Do you care?
• How big is the rental RV? Does it have slide- outs? It’s good to have adequate space for the number of people traveling.
• How many does it sleep comfortably?
• Is a TV, VCR, or Tape/CD player included?
• And so on.

Read the rental agreement before you book the reservation, and make sure you understand the terms and conditions.

Make sure you know the refueling policy for the return, so you don’t have any surprise costs at the end of your wonderful trip.

Pay close attention to the walkthrough of the RV. Your rental company should spend sufficient time with you to explain how everything works. They should run through things like hooking up at a campsite, starting the generator, how to use appliances, and everything else in the RV. Take notes, ask questions, ask to have things repeated. Know where to find the manuals on various components.

Have the phone number(s) for the RV rental dealer, including a number to use in emergencies.

If you have questions or need a bit of help on the road, just ask a fellow RVer. If you have never been RVing, the one thing that is sure to stand out is just how friendly and helpful “RV people” are.

Copyright 2005 Your RV Lifestyle, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

Publication is permitted provided the resource information at the end of the article remains intact, and links are live. Please notify the author via the Contact Us form at http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com, providing a link to the location of the article, or a copy of the newsletter.

About The Author

Jill is the editor of http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com, where you can find more advice for choosing, affording and enjoying your RV lifestyle.

Golf specific fitness is mainstream on tour! There is no way around it! To play your best, you’ve got to be in better golf shape! Golf is physical…and requires both dynamic strength and flexibility.

Gone are the days of the 19th hole! That’s if you want to be top dog in your foursome. Instead of going to the 19th hole after your round, why not do some cool down stretches so you’re ready for the next round?

I’m not saying you have to be a fanatic, but just realize there is a definite “physical component” to optimal golf performance. The demand on the body to swing a club at upwards of 100 mph and stay in your golf posture is huge.

A golf specific fitness program incorporating golf exercise and golf stretching will maximize your body’s ability to produce awesome power where it counts…at impact!

What is golf specific fitness?

I can tell you it’s not going to a gym and doing a seated chest press. It’s not spending 2 hours everyday beating yourself up. It’s not lifting heavy weights. But it does require a commitment. Just like anything else worth achieving.

That phrase, “if it were easy, everybody would be doing it” is so true.

With over 70 million baby boomers who want to enjoy life, be healthier and a big majority of them playing golf…golf specific fitness “kills two birds with one stone”. A fitter, stronger body and an awesome golf game. What better way to spend your quality years?

Golf specific fitness incorporates dynamic strength and flexibility; muscular endurance directly related to your golf swing; balance; coordination: stability; and a much improve sequence of timing to produce maximum power through the impact zone.

Golf specific fitness does not require heavy weights, but improving your golf swing strength is always a goal. Being stronger in your golf swing takes a unique approach that is not accomplished with a general fitness program.

The main focus should be on “rotational” strength and flexibility!

The golf swing is a high-speed rotational movement. The goal for maximum distance is to create a higher level of torque and be able to store and unleash it at the right moment in time.

This requires a major emphasis on core rotational movements with resistance. This is the ONLY way to improve your backswing AND follow through range of motion and power. These movements should be done sitting on a stability ball; standing erect; getting in your golf posture; and even on one leg.

It kills me to see a trainer do a bicep curl with a golf client. This will NOT help your golf swing. Just take a look at the position your wrist is in doing a standard bicep curl. It’s turned out very awkwardly (and uncomfortably).

Do you grip a golf club like this? Then why would you do this exercise? If you’re a golfer, you wouldn’t!

How about a seated chest press on a machine?

I’ve seen golfers in the gym doing this one.

Golf is “on your feet”, using every major muscle group in your body in a certain sequence of motion. How would a “seated” chest press on a “controlled” machine help your golf swing?

It wouldn’t!

Golf specific fitness will get your body moving powerfully through your golf swing for 18 holes. Your swing will become more consistent. You will add a ton of yards to all your clubs…especially your driver. And your incident of injury will plummet.

Isn’t this reason enough to get start on a program of golf specific fitness?

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 improve golf swing site – Perform Better Golf.