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Archive for December, 2011

The body rotates around a spine angle that should be fixed or stable, keeping your club on the proper swing path. Are you able to do this with your swing?This may be the idea that separates the high handicapper and low handicapper: the ability to rotate your body, keeping the club on a consistent swing plane.

Admittedly, some of the pros like Jim Furyk make some interesting movements in the swing, but if you dissect it a little further, you will notice they keep the club in a certain slot on the backswing and on the downswing. Every tour player is able to rotate around a fixed or stable spine angle, make a linear weight transfer, and successfully hit the golf ball.This is the goal of the golf swing: keep the golf club in a slot, essentially dissecting the shoulder on the back swing and follow through. How many of us do that? Fewer than we would probably like to admit. So how do we rotate the body and keep the club in this slot? The answer is probably not the one we would like to hear. It requires developing a feel” for the golf swing and knowing what the body is doing at every step of the golf swing. Essentially, you must develop a feel for both the club and your body. Some of us are better at it than others. At this point, it is ingrained into the body and you will know when the swing is off and what to correct. Keep in mind, we are not going to make a perfect swing every time, but that is our goal.How do we go about keeping the swing on the correct plane and developing feel?” I know of two possibilities. One of the answers is probably quite obvious. The first answer to this question has to do with your golf swing mechanics. Yes, probably not a surprise to many of you. The golf swing is an intricate, biomechanical movement requiring you to perform a large number of movements with the correct timing and no room for error. Understanding the correct biomechanical sequence of the golf swing and the ability to execute it take great instruction, a good amount of practice, patience and time. The body can learn either the correct or incorrect way to swing a golf club. As a result, it is imperative to receive quality instruction on the proper way to swing a club.Secondly, the mind and body learn new movements through repetition. The only way to learn the correct golf swing is through consistent practice. Practice ingrains into your brain, nerves, and muscles how to properly execute the movements of the golf swing, the correct sequence of the golf swing, and the correct timing of the golf swing.Finally, to learn the golf swing correctly it takes time. It is not an overnight process but requires consistent time spent practicing and playing. Dont let anyone fool you that there is a quick-fix patch that will drop your handicap 25 strokes while youre sleeping. Over a certain time period the body will learn the swing. Its different for each of us. Once the body learns the swing, the feel” begins to develop. Once you get that feel, you will begin know exactly where your clubhead is at all times during the golf swing.I cant feel a thing! Most of us understand that the golf swing is a rotational movement and requires learning the proper biomechanics of the golf swing. However, the second part of the answer of developing feel” may be less understood. Now think about this for a second. What if your body is not able to rotate around a fixed spine angle? If you cant rotate, it will be very, and I mean very, hard to keep your club in a slot. I see it all the time with amateurs. They want to develop a good swing desperately, but are unable to do so because of a weak, inflexible, and powerless body. If you are inflexible in the hips, how are you going to rotate in a manner that places the club in the correct slot for the downswing? Its not going to happen! If you have poor balance, how are you going to develop feel” in the golf swing? Youre not! It comes down to this notion about the golf swing. Your body is performing the mechanics of the golf swing. In order to do this properly, your body must have certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power. The only, and I mean only, way to develop a good swing and feel” within your swing requires a body that can support your swing. The swing is a very complex movement requiring a synergy between your body and the mechanics of the swing. If you attempt to develop a swing without a body to support it, you are on your way to a very frustrating experience and lowering your handicap will be a trying time. I would strongly suggest implementing a program that develops your swing mechanics in conjunction with your body. Sean CochranAbout the Author Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to www.seancochran.com

The first question you have to ask yourself is – What is a proper golf swing? All golf swings have the same three main components – the backswing, downswing and the follow through. Sounds simple, but to develop these three components into a strong, powerful swing takes a lot of practice on the course, as well as some training off the course.

In the game of golf, no two people ever have the same golf swing. The way one person swings a golf club may not work for another person, even if they are near in body types. Every golfer has to find the playing style that fits him or her to help them produce the results that they want. Practicing the fundamentals of golf will build a solid foundation upon which you can build upon to create that powerful swing. All the great golf players of the world did this and now it is simple and easy for them to drive a golf ball down the course.
One of the essential things that will affect all three of the golf swing components is your grip. Many golfers feel tension when they address the ball and get ready to execute their golf swing and this results in a tight grip on the club and stiffness in their arms. After the first swing that did not go as they wished it would, the tension builds and starts a vicious cycle that will affect the rest of their swings.
The first thing you can do to help develop a proper golf swing is to relax. Take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and visualize the result of your swing – the ball screaming down the course.
Next, take a firm but not tight grip on the club and think about the golf swing sequence.
The backswing – draw your club back in a smooth arch until the knuckle of your thumb is above your right ear. As you draw back, the club head will trace out a large circle and at the top of your backswing your chest will be pointing away from your target.
The downswing – this is where you swing your golf club down and the club head makes contact with the ball. Let the natural motion of your body carry the club head through the golf balls position down the range toward the target.
The follow through – your body continues and completes the swing arc after contacting the ball. Your finish position is part of your golf swing, so do not stop abruptly and try to keep your motion fluid.
When you start your backswing, take a deep breath as you draw back and release it slowly as you start your downswing. Holding your breath will create stiffness in the upper body that will affect the fluid motion you are trying to develop in your golf swing. Here are some tips to remember while visualizing your golf swing:

Keep your left elbow straight during the backswing as the club goes straight up and back.
Let your left arm roll slightly clockwise at the start of your downswing.
Your wrists should be at a 90-degree angle when your left arm is parallel to the ground.
Start your downswing with your lower body, NOT your shoulders.
As you bring the club down, turn your hips as fast and powerful as you can towards the target.
At the bottom of the swing arc, your wrists should snap and you will start the follow through.
Your right arm will swing across your body and end up near your left shoulder.
Your shoulders will be perpendicular to the target.
At the completion of the follow through portion of your golf swing, your weight should be balanced on your front hip and your back toe should be on the ground. Your hands will come to rest above your left shoulder and with your left knee facing the hole.
Now, going back to the original question What is a proper golf swing? First off there is no simple golf swing as many people try to believe. People who have never played golf will tell you that hitting the golf ball is easy. Just take a club and hit the ball as hard as you can. However, as any golfer will tell you it is never that easy because there are quite a lot of variables and small nuances that go into developing a good golf swing. Therefore, a proper golf swing is one that you can execute repeatedly, and feel good about the results.
To develop your own golf swing, it will take practice and training both on and off the golf course. Take some time to build your body off the course through a golf specific fitness training and conditioning program, and then get onto the course to develop your own proper swing by practicing the fundamentals of golf until they are second nature. Anything you do in life, your overall attitude and expectations of yourself, will ultimately determine your enjoyment of the game. View each golf swing, water hazard, hook and slice as another opportunity to improve. Remember, great players are not born they work at becoming a great player through training and practice.
The proper golf swing comes from improving upon the basic fundamentals of golf. Visit http://www.realgolftraining.com for golf swing tips, training aids such as swing trainers and other training aids to help you imrove your golf swing.

Do you find it impossible to consistently hit your driver down the middle of the fairway? If so, it can be difficult to improve your score, no matter how hard you try. Today we have a few tips that will show you how to cure a golf slice permanently!

Over time, our golf swings continue to pick up habits, most of them bad. Some people that have a problem slicing the ball, turn their body to the left and aim toward the left side of the fairway. In a short time, an individual’s swing can become so corrupted, that they find themselves unable to hit the ball straight at all with their driver, and they have to resort to using 5 woods or even irons.

Today, I have a couple tips that will show you how to cure a golf slice.

1. Keeping your wrist flat — Many golfers will cup their left wrist or bend it at the top of their backswing. This however, will cause your swing to never fully develop correctly. During your backswing, make sure your left wrist stays flat.

2. Rotate your hands — After the swing, where are your hands? Your right wrist should rotate during the downswing and be on top of your left wrist at the point of impact. This rotation seems unnatural to many, but it is crucial to avoiding the golf slice. Put in some time at the driving range with this tip and make sure you’re rotating those hands properly.

3. Proper Balance Before the Swing — A middle infielder waits on the pitch by keeping the knees bent, facing the plate and staying perfectly balanced so that he can react to the hit. The golf swing is the same way. Bend your knees, face the ball, and don’t start off the shot by leaning in any direction. Keeping yourself balanced is crucial, as is keeping the knees bent and being properly set.

A great golf swing is NOT impossible to learn. If you want to know how to cure a golf slice, these tips are a great start and might just fix your specific problem. As with any new tips or information, the way to test them out is by spending time on the driving range.

I have compiled alot of information to help golfers with their struggling swing. Please follow the link to some additional tips that can improve your game!.

Author: Ryan Shade is an online author dedicated to helping people improve their game.

You can check out my blog at this link

If you’ve been battling a hook for a while you understand how frustrating they can be. Everyone else is, more than likely, slicing the ball, and you are playing from the opposite side of the fairway.
But… the hook really is pretty easy to cure. Try this sequence of corrections, and most likely the hook will be fixed in no time. Your goal in correcting a hook is to swing from outside to in.

1) Weaken your Grip – You could be playing with a grip that is too strong. You’ll want to simply rotate both hands around the grip and towards the target. This will make it much harder for the clubface to naturally close through the impact zone. Don’t over do it, and like everything else, testing is crucial. Make sure to test this, before moving on, unless you are positive that you already play with a weak grip.
2) Move the ball forward in your stance – It is common of players that slice the ball to play the ball forward in their stance. So copy them. If you hook, the result should be a relatively straight ball. (Side Note: Whether you hook or slice, your first goal should be to learn to do the opposite.) Moving the ball forward in your stance should get some things back on track.
3) Aim to the left (to the right if left handed) of the target – Start out with an open stance to the target. This will put that clockwise rotation on the ball that you are looking for. Just open your stance a little bit, and swing along the line of your shoulders.
4) Make sure that you are finishing with your weight on your forward foot – This is the single best solution for the hook. If you hook the ball, chances are that you finish with some of your weight still on your back foot. This causes you to come around the ball with a closed clubface. This is the number one cause of the deadly snap-hook. Finish with all of your weight forward, and you’ll never experience it.
David is the author of “The Simple Golf Swing” which guarantees to have you shooting 7 strokes lower in only 1 week from today. You can find more of his golf instruction by going to http://www.golfswingguru.com

How to Choose the Best Golf Balls for Your Game

Make no mistake; playing golf with the wrong type of golf balls will negatively affect your game. You should play the best golf balls for your particular game otherwise you may be sacrificing accuracy and consistency for a few extra yards.

How do you know which are the best golf balls for your ability and your strength? To make an informed decision, you need to understand what the different characteristics of the golf balls mean.

In this article I will not bore you with technical details about the the number of dimples on a golf ball, the materials that make up each layer of the ball, the diameter of a golf ball, or the weight. These details won’t make any difference to you choosing the right golf ball, so I will stick to the most important specifications.

1-Piece Golf Balls

The 1-piece golf ball is made from one piece of a solid material and is usually only used on the driving range, as a practice ball, or sometimes by beginners. For this purpose, they are adequate as they are very durable and cheap – the downside is that they aren’t good for distance.

The Two Piece Golf Ball

Two-piece golf balls have just a solid core and a tough outer covering which makes them very resilient. They are very popular with the casual golfer because of their maximum distance. They get the distance from the fact that they are a firm feel ball with a low spin rate – this causes them to roll along the fairway when they land. The downside is their lack of control because of the firmness of the ball.

Three-Piece Balls

The 3-piece golf ball consists of a solid or liquid core encircled by a lining and enclosed by the outer cover. These are the preferred ball of many low handicappers that have the ability to take advantage of the higher spin rate and softer feel. These specifications make these balls more accurate for driving and they have more spin and control for the short game.

Four-Piece Balls

The latest advancement in golf ball technology is the 4-piece golf ball which is a good combination of a distance ball with spin and feel. These balls are more suited to the mid to low handicapper all the way to the professional golfer. They are designed for maximum distance of the tee, give you good spin off your mid-irons, and good control and feel around and on the greens; their biggest disadvantage being their high price.

Low Spin Rated Golf Balls

Low spin golf balls spin less and therefore they don’t carry as far but they will roll further on the fairway. The low spin doesn’t just apply to back spin but also to side spin, which makes them less likely to hook or slice and so are suited to higher handicap players looking for straighter shots.

Mid Spin Balls

The mid spin golf ball is the one suited for the majority of golfers. They offer a combination of distance and feel giving most golfers good distance and control. Sometimes the softness differs from brand to brand so you have to get used to the level of control.

High Spin Golf Balls

As these balls spin the most they create more backspin which keeps the ball in the air the longest and so has the biggest carry. Although they won’t run far on the fairway, you get the benefit of great control around and on the greens as they have more feel.

Firm-Feel Golf Balls

Firm-feel balls will feel hard when you strike the ball with the club-face. The majority of distance golf balls are firm which is fine for distance but not good for feel around or on the greens. You will find that most high or mid handicap golfers will choose these balls because of the extra distance which they are willing to trade for the loss of control onto the green. Apart from the distance, these balls are the longest lasting and are difficult to scuff up or mark.

Mid-Feel Golf Balls

The most popular golf ball for the mid handicapper is the mid feel golf ball, as they combine the ability to produce good distance and control.

Soft-Feel Golf Balls

Professional golfers and low handicappers normally go for soft feel balls. These golfers have the ability to make these golf balls do what they like with them. They are particularly suited to the short-game where great feel and spin come into play. High handicappers normally stay away from soft feel balls as they will loose some distance and they also mark easily.

Golf Ball Compression Ratings

A golf balls compression is related to the feel factor. Golf balls are rated by how much they compress, with Compression 0 deforming at 0.2 inches or above and compression 200 not deforming at all. Low compression golf balls are soft feel golf balls that are around compression 50 to 70; medium compression are 80 to 90; and high compression golf balls are hard feel golf balls that are around 100 and above. These rates are not that exact as different manufacturers use different rates.

To take advantage of the right compression for your golf swing to attain maximum distance a golfer with a slow swing speed should use compression 80; a golfer with a medium swing speed should use compression 100; and a golfer with a fast swing speed should use compression 110.

Finally with regards to compression, did you know that the weather can play a part in choosing the compression of your golf balls? Low compression balls are best for colder weather because the ball doesn’t compress as much when it is cold; therefore high compression balls are better for hotter weather.

When the golf course is very wet you will need to choose a golf ball that has more carry and less spin to achieve maximum distance. On the other hand, when the course is baked hard by a prolonged dry spell, choose a golf ball that has a soft feel and higher spin rate for more control.

Mick Euan Tait is a golfer, golf fan, golf writer and reviewer. Check out his website if you want to know How to Golf Better or indeed if you want to learn how to golf.

Lesson begins with the required apparatus. For golfing, your apparatus are your golf clubs. At first sight, they look alike. But on research about the game and golf clubs, one learns how different they are. The amount of precision the game needs can be delivered only with the right club in hand. Seriously, hats off to Tiger Woods!!

There are several brands available in the market. I am not a brand person; I buy on the basis of requirement. If you believe in the same, then only the vital stats of the clubs should matter. Otherwise you can select your favorite brand and then pay attention to the details. Bottom line: the vital stats should be kept in mind, period!

The basic golf club types are:

Woods: Woods are the long distance clubs. The ones that can help you yank the ball far far away towards the hole. These clubs, generally have a large head and a long shaft. Earlier, these clubs used to be made of wood (hence the name) but now they have graphite shaft and a titanium, composite, or steel head.

Irons: Irons are golf clubs with a shorter shaft and a flat-angled face than a wood. They are designed for shots approaching the green or from more difficult lies like the rough, through or over trees, or the base of hills. They get their name because they were originally made from cast iron.

Hybrids: Hybrids are a mixture of wood and iron. This gives these clubs the wood’s long distance as well as the iron’s swing. A hybrid can take place of an iron because it is easier to hit than the respective iron club. These clubs are often referred to as “Rescues” as the “TaylorMade Rescue” was the first one, made with this design.

Putters: Putters are a special class of clubs with a maximum of a 10-degree loft. The obvious exception being chippers. Putters were designed, primarily, to roll the ball along the grass, generally from a point on the putting green towards the cup. As many may not know, putters do have a 5 degree loft from a perpendicular impact. This helps to lift the ball from any indentation it has made.

The anatomy of a golf club has the following parts:

Shaft:The shaft is a tapered tube made of, usually, steel or carbon fiber composite (graphite). The shaft is around 0.5 inches (13 mm) in diameter near the grip and between 35 and 48 inches (89 and 122 cm) in length. Shafts weigh around 45 – 150 grams (1.6 – 5.3 oz) depending on the material and length.

Grip: According to the Rules of Golf, “all club grips with the exception of the putter must have a circular cross-section. The putter may have any cross section that is symmetrical along the length of the grip on at least one plane. Grips may taper from thick to thin along their length (and virtually all do), but are not allowed to have any waisting or bulges. Minor variations in surface texture are not counted unless significant.”

Hosel: The hosel is the part of the golf head to which the shaft is attached. The hosel is imperative for the right balance, feel and power of a club.

Clubhead: The 2009 USGA rules of golf, page 135 states, “The clubhead must have only one striking face, except that a putter may have two such faces; if their characteristics are the same, and they are opposite each other.” the USGA rules of golf, page 127 states, “A putter is a club with a loft not exceeding ten degrees designed primarily for use on the putting green.”

Ferrule: The ferrule is the decorative trim ring. It is usually black and may have additional trim colors. It is found on top of the hosel on many woods and irons.

Did you expect so many intricacies in just selecting the gear for a sport? Well, this is golf, it ain’t low-maintenance. So now, you know what to look out for when you go to buy golf clubs. So enjoy the shopping and all the best for the golfing!

Today the sport of golf is more popular than it has ever been before. There are people of all races as well as all ages getting involved in this relaxing and competitive sport that the whole family can enjoy. Golf has been around for hundreds of years and is now played in just about every country in the world.One of the most important and essential pieces of equipment needed for participating in this sport is the golf driver. These drivers are the most vital piece of equipment needed to help improve your “long game.” The ability to drive the ball over 250 yards in one shot would not be possible without a good golf driver.Many of the top players in this sport have made their name known by their ability to drive the ball long distances. Getting your ball to the hole in as few shots as possible is one of the main strategies of winning in golf. This would not be possible without the ability to hit long shots or without a quality driver.Some of the main characteristics that define a good driver include: the speed with which it can move the ball, the composition of the driver, the launch angle and the aerodynamics of the driver itself. The quest to manufacture the best driver with all these qualities has flooded the market with many different brands of golf drivers. Golf drivers are mainly used for the long shots that have to be made into the fairway.Golf drivers can be purchased in a variety of materials including stainless steel, alloys or even titanium. Not only is the material that the driver is actually made from important but the length of the driver itself is also very important. Titanium is one of the most popular materials drivers are manufactured from because it is lightweight but also strong at the same time. However more experienced golfers may prefer the stainless steel driver because its heavier weight gives more control when swinging. Most professional golfers prefer forged titanium drivers as they offer a greater tee off driving distance than other drivers.When in the market to purchase a new golf driver you should keep in mind that although one particular driver may work well for your buddy it may not work as well for you. Characteristics of your golf swing, how strong your swing is and other factors need to be taken into consideration when purchasing this piece of equipment. There are many custom fit options that should be taken into consideration when looking for the correct design.When you purchase a driver that feels good and works well for you it will help to improve your game not only by giving you longer tee off distances but will also give you a boost of confidence that will help to improve your overall game.

A golf workout routine can be as simple as using a pair of hand weights (dumbbells), and doing 5-6 golf-specific exercises in less than 15 minutes. Now I know you have 15 minutes to dramatically improve your game and crush your playing partners and competitors.

So many times golfers think that a golf workout routine is in the gym, takes 2 hours to do, and will wipe out all the energy they have and ultimately hurt their golf game.
How wrong they are!
YesI can design a very comprehensive golf workout routine that has up to 20 golf exercises and will take 90 minutes to complete. And I have done that for hundreds of golfers. But what I want to talk about today is getting that belief and thought out of your head.
The equipment required to complete a simple golf workout routine in your home are a stability ball, exercise tubing, and a pair of hand weights.
Thats it!
You can do dozens of golf-specific exercises with the above equipment. But whatever you do, make sure you seek out a qualified golf fitness trainer, who knows golf. That is critical.
There are many so-called” golf trainers out there, and all they are doing is the same general” exerciseson machines that the average person looking to improve their fitness is doing.
That is not a golf workout routine. You can spot a person doing something for golf in less than 5 seconds, and its not on machines. Its on their feet or on a stability ball, incorporating balance, stabilization and strength specific to the golf swing.
I want you to realize, if you do the wrong exercises it may hurt your game not help it. Ive heard this scenario many times. A golfer starts weight training and doesnt know what he/she is doing and the result is shorter drives and higher scores. Not the result you want.
So seek out a golf fitness trainer and find out right away if they know golf. Ask a few golf questions. What causes a hook? What could be one of the reasons for coming out of your posture? What is a lateral slide?
Youll find out real quick if they know golf.
The end result is playing better golfand of course taking all the money from your foursome!
So you seeits not intimidating or time-consuming to start a golf workout routine.
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is an Internationally recognized golf workout trainer and author. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance membership sites. Take a look at his best selling Golf Workout System at his golf exercise workout site – PerformBetterGolf.com.

Written By Mike PedersenGolf Performance Expertwww.PerformBetterGolf.comHitting long golf drives is the desire of every golfer when they are on the course.

Sadly many fail to achieve this objective most of the time and the best game in the world which you are supposed to enjoy enormously, instead ends up being a very frustrating experience.

Yet hitting long golf drives need not be so difficult to achieve. Actually the greatest hindrance to your hitting long golf drives is you.

You are the greatest hindrance to your hitting long golf drives, because if you’re like most golfers, you are always trying to hit the ball as hard as you possibly can. In a pure physics situation this would be the correct approach except that in golf there are some variables that work together to dramatically change the situation.

To start with, every golf club is cleverly designed and crafted to hit the ball over a certain distance. So the best advice to start with is to trust the club you are using for hitting long golf drives to do its job, because it is designed to do just that. All you have to do is make sure that the club connects the ball at the correct angle to achieve the distance you desire. That is the physics of a golfer. Of course this means that your golf swing technique has to be correct and effective.

The second variable that changes things is your body. If your muscles are not conditioned and prepared for hitting long golf drives then it is unlikely that you will get the results you want no matter how hard you try to hit the ball.
Your body’s current level of golf specific strength and flexibility determines your outcome. Plain and simple. If you cannot make a 90 degree shoulder turn with 45 degrees of hip turn, you will not produce maximum clubhead speed and distance. Can you make a full back swing with minimal tension? Most golfers can’t. In fact the senior golfer has lost so much functional movement in their swing, that they have lost upwards of 60 yards on their drives. This is more common than uncommon. It doesn’t have to be this way! There is hope! Just get your body moving a little better and you’re well on your way to a more enjoyable golf game, and hitting long golf drives!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is an
Internationally recognized golf performance expert and author. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert, and
founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance membership sites. Take a
look at his best selling Golf Fitness
System at his golf exercise
training site – PerformBetterGolf.com.

The Masters Golf Tournament was initially named, ‘Augusta National Invitation’. The story of Augusta National Invitation dates back to the year 1931. Golf legend Bobby Jones wanted to construct his own golf course which he could use after retirement. He started searching for a suitable piece of land with the help of Clifford Roberts, who was an investment specialist and golfer. A huge piece of land in Augusta, Georgia, which used to be an indigo plantation was purchased for the purpose.

The land had to be developed, designed and modeled to suit a golf course. Hence in 1931, Jones hired Alister MacKenzie to model and develop the land. The most interesting twist in MacKenzie’s career was that, he actually qualified as a surgeon, from Scotland. The construction was completed in 1933 and was formally opened. Sadly MacKenzie did not live to see the first masters tournament, that was conducted on the most famous golf course that he designed.

In the initial years the masters tournament was named as the ‘Augusta National Invitation’ after the golf course. The first tournament of the invitation was was held on 22nd March 1934. The first tournament’s champion was Horton Smith. In 1939, the name of Augusta National Invitation was changed to Masters Golf Tournament. The maiden tournament of the Master’s was played with current holes 10 through 18, which served as the first nine. The later one through nine served as the second nine. This arrangement was reversed and the present day layout was formed. The members of the club debated whether Jones should be permitted to participate in the tournament or not. The decision to let Jones compete, resulted in establishment of many of his legendary hits.

Since 1940, the tournament has been held in first week of April. And has been held very consistently since then. The only time that saw a break in the streak of the tournament was during the Second World War. Livestock was reared on the course to aid the war.

In the course of its history, the Augusta golf course has undergone structural changes, that has changed the method of play. In 2001, the length of the course was 6,925 yards if measured from the famous masters trees. In 2002 the length was increased to 7,270 yards and in 2006 it was again increased to 7,445 yards. Many noted players commented on the modification and expansions of the course. Golfing legend Tiger Woods, passed one of his most famous comments on the change by saying “shorter hitters are going to struggle”.

The grass that occupied the golf course has also undergone modifications. Initially the grass was classified as the wide blade Bermuda. After the 1970′s, the wide-bladed Bermuda was replaced with the narrow bladed Bermuda. The Bermuda grass unfortunately did not ideally suit the golf course. The Bermuda in par-3 was hence replaced by bent grass. The bent grass ideally suited the course and hence all the grass on the course was replaced with bent grass. The first tournament that was played on the new surface was 1981 tournament.

The Masters tournament has been the battle ground of the most skilled golf players. The tournament has seen many noteworthy and legendary records being established. In 1997, Tiger Woods became the youngest player, to win the tournament, he was only 21 years old. In the 1997 championship he also broke some very significant records. The oldest player to win the championship was Jack Nicklaus, in 1986, as he was 46 years old at the time of his victory. Several other golfing records have been established in the Masters and several others are yet to be broken, and new ones to be established, as the tournament enters yet another era of modernization.