When it comes to golfing equipment, you have a lot of choices. There are lots of brands and styles of golfing equipment that you are able to use, but it can be puzzling as to what you actually need to play a great game of golf. Lets have a look at some of the equipment that most golfers consider necessary.

Naturally, your most crucial pieces of equipment are your clubs. You will want to take care to select clubs that are suitable to your style of golf.
They should be comfortable to handle and designed toward your height. Novices and experts alike should lean towards the light graphite shafts and titanium heads in order that you have highest forgiveness in the outcome of a bad shot.

You should ideally have a full set of clubs. That means you will need a driver, a 3 wood, a 5 wood, a full set of irons (from 3 to 9), a sand wedge, and a putter. That is the minimum. You can also add other clubs to your armory as you become more skilled at the game. You will also be able to include a 1 iron for fairway shots also as a wedge for getting out of the rough.

The golf ball in truth can be an all important piece of golfing equipment. Depending upon what you are looking for, you can find balls that will improve your distance, your spin, or your performance. Search balls that are a bit softer.

If you have never given any thoughts to your golf tees as part of your golf equipment, now is the time to start. There are actually numerous types of tees that you can choose from each with their own advantages. There are long tees when you need to have the ball teed up high, short tees for those tee box iron shots, and even three-pronged tees for stability. In point of fact, the three-pronged tee was the first type of golf tee that was used in the early years of golf.

If you like the thought of carrying your clubs around in one bunch, I guess you can just carry on,all the same, a golf bag sure makes carrying your clubs around much more comfortable. Plus, with a good golf bag, you will be able to carry your tees, your balls, snacks, your cell phone, and anything else you think is essential.

As the golf swing requires a certain amount of stability, you should also add some golf shoes to your golfing equipment list. Golf shoes have cleats on the bottom that allow you to maintain your footing while swinging. This can be so really important whilst moving your body to strike the ball. Golf shoes help you stay well-balanced and keep your feet grounded.

There are definitely more forms of golfing equipment that you will be able to buy and use when playing a game of golf. Just don't go overboard and focus on the basic principle to begin with. And then when you get more adept, you will be able to add all of the cutting-edge gadgets to your bag.

If you've been reading my golf tips newsletter, scanning golf Web sites, or perusing golf magazines, you've probably come across the term center of gravity (COG). More than likely, you've seen the term in conjunction with ads for or an article about golf clubs. That's because it's one of the hottest concepts in golf club manufacturing technology, along with moment of inertia (MOI). And like many recreational golfers, you probably wondering what COG is and how it affects your game.
Actually, the concept isn't new. It's been around for years. What's new is its execution. Thanks to advances in golf club manufacturing technology and golf club research and design, center of gravity is a concept whose time has come. And while it's not a term you'll hear a lot about during a golf lesson, it's a term you should know because it can have a decided impact on your golf handicap.

COG Defined One golf Web site defined center of gravity as "the point within the head of a golf club at which it would be perfectly balanced." That's as good a definition of COG as any I've read. Technically, COG is determined by balancing the clubhead on its face, sole, or any place on the head - the intersection inside of the head of all these different balance points is the center of gravity of the clubhead.

Since the center of gravity is a single point inside the clubhead, its location has to be defined in 3-dimensions. There's a vertical COG location (how high up in the head the COG is from the sole), a horizontal COG location (how far over it is from the center of the shaft in the hosel of the head), and a depth COG location (how far back from the face it is located). If you alter the position of any of these points, you alter both the COG and the club's performance.

Position of COG The position of the center of gravity within a clubhead alters both the trajectory and the accuracy of shots. A COG position that's low and toward the back of a clubhead encourages a higher trajectory for any given loft angel on the club. On the other hand, the closer the COG is to the shaft, the less a golfer tends to hit a ball offline. The farther the center of gravity is from the shaft, the more a golfer tends to hit the ball offline.

In theory you would always want the COG in line with the center of the clubhead's face. But moving the COG helps "mitigate" some swing flaws. That's great for those of us who don't hit the ball in the face's center, which judging from my golf lessons and my experience in general, is the category where most recreational golfers fall. The more the designer incorporates perimeter weighting in the clubhead's design, then, the better off a recreational golfer is with the club.

COG also alters ball flight, which is good for players with some ability. Moving the COG toward the heel helps you hit a hook. When contact occurs away from the center of gravity, the ball's axis of rotation tilts toward the heel. That imparts sidespin, causing the ball to move. However, as moment of inertia (MOI)--the relative stability of off-center hits--increases, the more you have to move the COG to produce the sidespin you need to hook the shot.

Impact of COG What does all this mean for a golfer and his/her golf handicap? When you're buying golf clubs, research the COG of the clubs your considering. Since you're not a professional, look for a club offering the best center of gravity for your caliber of play. Cavity-back irons, for example, where the COG has been moved more toward the club's outer edges are great for beginners because they're more forgiving of off-center hits, which means the new golfer find the fairway a lot more than with clubs lacking perimeter weight design.

However, be careful when considering clubhead design. Manufacturers often add or subtract design features in an attempt to make their clubs perform better and differentiate them from other clubs. Some "improvements" impact COG, which means they will affect the clubs performance, too. What you need to do is find the clubhead that works for you, test the club if you can. Testing is the best way of determining if a club is right for you.

Now that you know what center of gravity is, take advantage of it the next time you're in the market for new clubs. COG will impact a club's performance, including trajectory and accuracy. That in turn impacts your golf handicap. For best results, look for a club with a center of gravity that fits your game.

When you are preparing for a big tennis match, it can be quite tought to stay focused and keep your head straight. There are many things that you want to remember, because each element can be the key difference in the outcome of your match. We all know that tennis is a very physical game, but it is even more a mental game. By learning tennis mind techniques and tips that will give you the advantage, you will always have the control during the big matches.
How to control your nerves

You always want to remember that although you may be nervous, your opponent may be just as nervous as you are, if not even more nervous than you. This is especially true if your opponent is ranked higher than you are. He is expected to win and is thrust into the spotlight in this way. So, he has everything to lose, and you have everything to gain. By being aware of this simple mind shift, you can become less nervous and hopefully your opponent's nerves will go haywire.

Remember that your opponent is struggling just as you are. He even might be worried about more things than you are. You never know when they might be dealing with a nagging injury, or having an off day or whatever else he might be dealing with. Remember that it's not all on you.

Start Off Easy

When you're playing in a large and important match, many players make the mistake of starting off by playing with super shots and big plays. However, what happens most of the time is that this might cause you to over play and make mistakes that could cost you the game. By simply starting out slowly and playing normally, you'll become more relaxed. This will allow you to take advantage of situations where you can get the upper hand. Don't come out trying to make outstanding shots - simply play efficiently and keep your head cool and you will have the upper hand in big matches.

Don't Be Intimidated

When you're playing in a big match, remember that you're simply playing with a ball on your side of the court. You're not playing your opponent's reputation, family, or anything like that. You're working with the ball on your side of the court and nothing else. This is a great way to stay focused so that you can deal with any sort of situation in the game and also so that you can take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses.

Another thing that will help you to keep from being intimidated is to stay competitive. Take advantage of all the opportunities when they arise and use them to tip the game in your favor. This is something that the world-class players always stay ready for. By utilizing these tips and ideas you will stay ahead of the game.

With the increase in adaptive ski programs throughout the country and the advances in equipment, adaptive skiing is fast becoming one of the most popular sports. Adaptive skiing provides people with disabilities the opportunity to ski using specialty equipment (sit-skis, outriggers, etc.). It is a sport that is truly universal for those with disabilities.

As more and more people with disabilities get involved with the sport, there are several key thoughts to be considered before hitting the slopes, according to Disaboom.com, the largest online community/support network for people with disabilities, the first consideration is equipment.
Understand the types of skis and which ones are best suited for you. Then, it's time for fashion with function. Gear up with clothing and apparel that are both warm and look good on the slopes--Finally, find a trusted source to teach you how to get going.

Types of Adaptations for people with disabilities

Mono ski--The skier sits in a molded bucket-style seat that is mounted to a frame attached to a single ski. A shock absorber between the bucket and the ski cushions your ride. Since good upper-body strength and balance are needed, good candidates for the mono ski are typically lower extremity double amputee, spina bifida, spinal cord injury levels T6 and below (although exceptions occur).

Bi Ski--The skier sits in a rigid shell that is attached on top of two wide specialty skis. The two skis allow for a wider base ensuring more stability for the skier. The bi ski does not have a suspension system. Good candidates for the bi ski include beginner skiers, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and higher-level spinal cord injury.

Dual ski--The dual ski is a system designed to bridge the gap between the mono ski and bi ski. It sits like the mono ski, but it is attached to two skis. Those who have advanced past the bi ski but are not yet ready for the mono ski are most appropriate for the dual ski.

3-Track--These skiers require one regular ski and two hand-held outriggers, hence the three points of contact to the snow. Good candidates would be amputees, post polio, hemiplegic, those who ambulate with or without assistive device, do not have full use of one leg, but have one strong non-impaired leg.

How to Get Started

When looking for a good adaptive snow ski program, the National Sports Center for the Disabled offers this advice:

* Ski instructors should be PSIA certified (Professional Ski Instructor of America)

* Instructor conducts a personal evaluation of your goals and specific needs

* Ask what is included in the lesson (rentals, lift ticket, etc.)

* Find out about accessible buildings and how to get to and from the slopes

After you are paired with your qualified instructor and volunteers and you have discussed your goals and needs, you will be fitted for your ski. Then, your training begins. They will most likely take you to a flat area to practice methods for balancing and using outriggers. You will most likely fall during this process, but it is a good opportunity to learn how to get back up. In the lesson you will learn techniques for controlling speed and chairlift procedures. The instructors hold a tether attached to the ski to help control speed and turns. Getting on and off the chair lift frightens even non-disabled beginners; however, there are several factors that make this process easier. Some skiers are strong enough to push up on the chair using their outriggers, but in time that can wear your shoulders out. Majority of people will need some assistance loading on/off the lift. Your instructor and volunteer will lift you safely onto the chairlift until you are able to safely do it yourself. Mono skis and other custom skis come equipped with a hydraulic or mechanical system that raises the bucket seat high enough to clear the lift. Once you are safely on the lift, sit all the way back in the chair and enjoy the views.

Disability should not interfere with the exhilaration and experience of alpine skiing. First, you have to believe in yourself. The right attitude is very powerful in the road to recovery. Disaboom.com is helping to dismantle negative stereotypes and empower people with disabilities.

No matter what the disability, anybody can enjoy going downhill skiing thanks to quality instruction and equipment, according to Disaboom.com, the largest online community for people with disabilities. If you are going to invest your time and money at a local or not-so-local ski resort, start with a Professional Adaptive Ski Instructor. I have been instructing Snow sports since 1996 at Disabled Sports USA programs www.dsusa.org, and the most valuable advice I can give you is to choose a resort that puts a lot of effort into training their instructors to be professional while also offering a wide variety of adaptive equipment.
In adaptive skiing, there are six different disciplines: developmental, visually impaired, mono-ski, bi-ski, 3-track and 4-track. Following is information about choosing a qualified instructor as well as selecting the right resort. You can also find this information by visiting Disaboom.com, selecting the living section and continue on to sports & recreation. So don't sit inside on those cold winter days; get out and play.

Instructors

Adaptive Snow sports instructors can earn three different levels of certification; before scheduling your lesson, check to see if your instructor is qualified to teach at your level. An Instructor qualified at Level 1 has performed to national standards in at least one of the six disciplines to the beginning level. Adaptive Level 2 instructors have performed to national standard in all six disciplines to the intermediate level. Adaptive Level 3 instructors have performed to national standard in all six disciplines to the expert level.

Choosing a Resort

When choosing a resort, the number one question to ask is how many instructors at the program have adaptive certifications. If they have a high percentage of certified instructors, you can expect that those certified instructors are training the new guys and gals how to be professional as well. You will often have a great experience at this resort, even if your instructor is new that season. However, if the percentage of certified adaptive instructors is very low or non-existent, you may have a substandard experience. It is up to you to do the research and remember you are in control of the lesson. When you pay to have a great experience and you feel it was inadequate, you may want to request a level 2 or 3 instructor during your next visit just to get you going in a positive direction.

No matter what your disability is, if you have ever wanted to try adaptive skiing, or if you want to improve your skiing skills, you can. Disaboom.com has all the information you need to get yourself started on an exhilarating experience in the mountains. If you follow these tips and have a desire to learn, anyone can experience the thrill of Alpine Skiing! See you on the slopes!!