Masters Golf

Why You Should Learn to Play Golf

If you are wondering what the benefits are to learning how to play golf, then I'm willing to bet that you fall into one of the following categories:

1. Someone has suggested golf to you as a sport you might enjoy; or,

2. You are feeling some social pressure from others, e.g., colleagues at work.

In the first case, you just have to find out whether golf would be fun for you or not. In the second case, my guess is that you feel it necessary to learn golf so you can join in on the 'bonding' and 'networking' experience, even if golf doesn't excite you all that much.

So, if you need some 'convincing', then read on! There are plenty of good reasons to learn golf, and you'll find them here.

Reason #1: Mental Focus

Golf is a game of focus and strategy. You use your mind, your senses and your ability to time and coordinate movements at every step of the game.

Golf is not a game of brute physical strength the way some other sports are. In fact, the stronger you are, the more you'll probably have to work on containing and directing that strength when it comes time to hit the ball.

The best players are those who have learn to still their minds and visualize making that perfect swing. It may look easy from the outside, but there is actually a lot of 'multi-tasking' going in the mind of a golfer.

You learn to judge distances and correlate those distances with the amount of force to apply in your swing. At the same time, you must aim your swing and account for any factors that might change the direction of the ball.

Believe it or not, training yourself to focus in this way will have useful applications not just in other sport, but in other areas of your life. If nothing else, it teaches you to take a step back and calculate all of the variables standing between you and a goal.

Reason #2: Low-impact Exercise

You can actually get a great work-out by playing golf.

How?

First, consider the motion of a full-on golf swing. Even if you're in tip-top shape, you're probably going to feel sore in your arms, shoulders, lower back and maybe even your abdomen the day after your first round of swinging that club.

Next, consider that each hole on a given course can be separated by anywhere from 200 to over 700 yards, with varying types of terrain. Unless you rent a cart, you're going to be walking those yards and lugging around a bag full of clubs to boot!

All that walking is a great, low-impact work-out for your entire body.

Reason #3: Respect

Golf is also a game of respect -- for the rules as well as other players. Some would say that golf is the most 'civilized' or 'dignified' of sports. Even though you may want to 'best' your 'competitors', the person you're really playing against is yourself.

There are no 'tackles' in golf, and there is no 'stealing of plays'. Everyone takes his or her turn in an orderly fashion, and keeps an eye out on the location of other players at all times so as not to strike them with a club or bean them with a stray golf ball.

Reason #4: Business and networking

This is probably what many people think of when they think of golf: wealthy and/or connected individuals making sweetheart deals over 18 holes at the country club.

It's a stereotype, but one with a lot of truth to it.

Golf was once a sport strictly of the upper-classes in Scotland and England. Even in the United States, many of the best greens were connected to exclusive country clubs that the average person couldn't access without knowing someone on the inside.

Thankfully, in this day and age, golf is a much more inclusive and accessible past-time for the average person, as well as anyone else looking for an informal activity to share with friends, clients, partners, colleagues, etc.

You can hold relatively private conversations while playing golf, and you don't have to change into a uniform to play, either. In fact, you can play golf in a business suit if need be, although you'll probably want to take off your jacket!

Those are the four biggest reasons I can think of for why you should learn to play golf. If you still aren't convinced, then rent a set of clubs and do a few practice rounds on a local course. You just might enjoy it after all, once you get the 'swing' of it!

For every golf fan, the US Masters in early April is without doubt a highlight of the golfing calendar. But it’s also a fantastic betting opportunity for the astute golf bettor who can pinpoint where the value lies. But just what are the crucial golf stats for the Masters? Well, a close study of previous US Masters winners reveals some interesting trends which should prove extremely useful in finding this years winner...

1 -- Since 1990, more than 80% of US Masters winners have won or finished 2nd atleast once already that year.

In that time, just Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999, Ben Crenshaw in 1995 and Nick Faldo in 1990 had failed to finish first or second on either the US PGA or European tour in the year they won the tournament.

Interestingly all three golfers had already won the Masters in a previous year however -- in 1994, 1984 and 1989 respectively.

2 -- This year, more than ever, Augusta will favour the big hitters. That's because the course has been extended a further 155 yards to 7445 yards with alterations to six holes. Augusta has now been lengthened over 400 yards in the last 5 years.

The course plays long so unless there is a lot or rain to negate the big hitters advantage, favour those golfers who rank well for driving distance.

3 -- The other extremely important stat is the Greens-In-Regulation (GIR) percentage. GIR simply measures how often a golfer reaches the green in the regulation number of strokes (or less). For example, on a par 4 hole, Regulation would be to make the green in two strokes. On a par 5, three strokes.

To illustrate just how vital this statistic is, only once in the last six years has the Masters winner NOT ranked in the first two for GIR percentage at the tournament’s conclusion.

4 -- The Masters is a tournament for proven winners. Big name golfers such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Vijay Singh have tremendous records in this event. For example Mickelson has finished no worse than 12th in the last 8 years!

Unlike the British Open, surprise long odds winners are extremely rare. No golfer playing the Masters for the first time has won the tournament since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, so previous Masters form is a must.

Golf is considered as a gentleman game and its roots are deep inside the history. It is considered as one of the oldest games in history. The name Golf has originated from the Scottish name Gouf. This Scottish word is derived from the Danish word Kolf which means bat or club. Origin of this game is considered to be a mystery and some people attribute its history to Chinese, Dutch or Scottish.

There are different terms attributed to different scores. Words such as Condor, Albatross, Eagle, Birdie, Par, Bogey, Double Bogey and triple bogey are attributed to this game. Masters golf score uses these terms in professional game. There are two different forms of playing golf which are Match play and stroke play. In match play two contestants vie against each other whereas in stroke play many people play the game and the person with the lowest score wins the tournament. Masters golf score is counted for both forms of the game whether it is stroke play or match play.

The rules and regulations attributed to the game of golf are governed by Royal and Ancient Golf club of St Andrews and the United States Golf Association. These two organizations are responsible for the laws pertaining to the game of golf. Masters golf score is also maintained as a record by these two associations. By law, all golfers abide by the rules of these two organizations.

There has been opposition regarding the development of golf courses by governments and private enterprises. Many countries have abolished the development of golf courses which could significantly destroy the flora and fauna of the area. In Sri Lanka royal golf course of Colombo is known to exist for 125 years and a steam train runs through the sixth hole of the golf course. Only few professionals are known to this world with Masters Golf score to their credit. If you are an amateur and looking to play professional golf score it is imperative that you review Masters Golf score. United States Golf association reported that people interested in this sport are getting decreased on a year on year basis.

Masters club is also known as Champions dinner and it began during the year 1952. Every year the defining champion hosts a dinner on Tuesday night. It is hosted only by the defending champion. As an honour of this dinner the host receives a gold locket which has the club emblem embedded on it. Masters golf score and masters tournament has very common because they are professional and very talented persons in the game.