3 Specific Golf Exercises to Improve Your Stamina

You have decided to walk eighteen holes and, by hole number twelve, you are feeling the effects - labored breathing, aching legs..."boy," you think to yourself, "am I out of shape!" The truth is, golf is a sport as well as a game - it takes toned muscles to swing a golf club and to walk a course carrying a bag on your back.

You should not go onto a golf course without at least stretching before you swing a club, but, it would be much more beneficial if you also put a few exercises within your work-out routine. Golf for Beginners often writes about the mental game and offers you tips on everything from stance to injury prevention and now we present you with our "should-do" list of disciplines to keep you in golf shape.

1. CARDIO: Endurance and cardio-specific exercises such as cycling, walking, swimming or running, for about thirty minutes per day should be added to your training regimen.

If you are older, just get out and move your legs, take a brisk walk, stay active and you will be able to translate that energy to the golf course. The National Academy of Sports Medicine says that, maintaining a routine of moderate cardiac exercise will slow fatigue and will also allow, "the golfer to stay physically and mentally focused throughout the round."

2. STRETCHING:  PGA Director of Instruction at Salisbury Country Club, Adam Smith, suggests simple stretches before teeing off; torso rotations to loosen up the upper body, leg lifts to loosen your hamstrings and jumping jacks for cardio as an example.

3. STRENGTHENING: Jennifer Gatz, Exercise Physiologist suggests strengthening and stretching exercises to improve body flexibility during a round of golf.

Next time you are at the gym or, if you use bands, try a seated row to strengthen your back muscles. Wrist curls using a light weight will also help when you are coming through the ball.

If you are in decent shape and regularly visit the gym...
To improve endurance and stamina, try compound movements that utilize more than just one joint; "squats, step-ups, push-ups and pull-ups".

Will Torres, a New York-based personal trainer and founder of the personal training studio, Willspace says these combination exercises, "will improve your endurance more so than exercises in isolation. 'Isolated exercises like bicep curls and leg lifts aren’t going to stimulate you enough to increase your stamina.' "

Disclaimer: Golf for Beginners and it's writers only offers exercise suggestions to improve your stamina - we are not doctors or physical therapists. Contact your doctor or a qualified professional before beginning any exercise routine.

Do you perform specific golf exercises at the gym? What exercises or stretches have helped you improve your golf game? Let us know in the comments section below and by tagging us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.


photo: healthtap.com, Wikipedia

Marriott Golf and Bag Boy push Golfers To Walk for Health and the Environment

In an alliance with Bag Boy, Marriott Golf is now placing eco-friendly Express Auto three-wheel walking carts in ten of its U.S. Resorts "pushing" golfers to walk for their own health and helping to better the environment!

Combined with their free, family fun initiative, Marriott Golf is working overtime to return the sport to its purest form!

Experts all agree that the way to stay healthy is to exercise and, in my opinion, there is no better way than to walk a golf course on a beautiful, sunny day! Not only is walking the course good for your health but it also keeps the golf course in optimum condition.

How many people play "military golf"...left, right, left right...using their golf carts to drive willy-nilly on the fairways (directly opposing good golf etiquette 90 degree's on wet days and path-only rules?).

Although the "cooler" on the electric cart may be more to your liking, you'll burn only about 800 calories sitting around in a golf cart as opposed to approximately 1,400 calories walking the a course (probably more if you carry your golf bag.)

Come to think of it, I've seen mostly guys riding around the publinks lately while many of the women walk the course.

“Research shows that golfers who walk are also less prone to lower back, shoulder, and ankle injuries than golfers who carry their clubs,” said Craig Ramsbottom, President of the Bag Boy Company.  “Our innovative walking carts are ergonomically correct and easy to maneuver so golfers that visit a Marriott resort can now experience a cool, fun and healthy way to navigate the course.”
 
Each participating property will be outfitted with Bag Boy’s popular three-wheel push carts, providing resort golfers with a fun and healthy way to navigate the course, as well as support environmental consciousness.

“This partnership directly supports Marriott International’s unwavering commitment to promote wellness and healthy living, as the health and exercise benefits of walking and pushing your clubs around a golf course are immeasurable,” said William Nault, Vice President, Marriott Golf.  “We anticipate a very positive response from our resort golfers for this Walk For Health initiative, and our intention is to roll out the program at more Marriott Golf properties throughout the year.”

Bag Boy Express Auto walking carts will be available for guest play at the following resort destinations:

Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, Calif.; JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Ariz.; JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson, Ariz.; Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami, Fla.; Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort, Orlando, Fla.; Grande Pines Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.; Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Naples, Fla.; Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort, Oak Brook, Ill and The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Tucson, Ariz.

The best part about the walking initiative is that each property above holds the distinction of being a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, which indicates that Marriott Golf has gone to the greatest lengths possible to protect the environment by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats. 

The new Walk For Health program gives golfers the ability to support environmental consciousness while enjoying nature and a good walk on a spectacular golf course!

New Bag Boy Travel Cover Offers Affordable Golf Club Protection

If you enjoy bringing your golf clubs along on vacation, you definitely require a travel cover to make sure that no damage befalls your investment.

Also, if your clubs get damaged in transit, you might have to rent a set and that could put a bit of a hamper on an otherwise wonderful time. I remember once returning from vacation only to find that my travel cover failed to provide protection for my driver whose head was snapped at the shaft!
< border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tHxrEfo0YcshXfpMdPMrPuB2iaNMEG839CG17FPkj8xw-ZDXfN6nMa_MAIjvQiAryr6bq55Ta7iXG6AD2M3HEB1oldrzqlYHNdms9KIP6j2sa8Hb_uYTmXYT26I_mSyPriaD/s320/Bag_Boy_T700_Golf_Travel_Cover.jpg" img alt="Bag Boy T-700 Golf Travel Cover" />
The Bag Boy Company, arguably the number one name in golf cart and golf bag innovation, just unveiled the T-700 golf travel cover for traveling golfers seeking a cost effective alternative for transporting their clubs.

Designed with an impact resistant top and high density foam padding to ensure maximum protection, this stylish new model further strengthens the Company’s innovative travel cover line.

Featuring an ergonomic neoprene handle for easy maneuverability, the T-700 comfortably fits a 48” driver and up to a 10” cart bag and is equipped with internal compression straps that stabilize the bag to ensure clubs are packed safely inside while being transported. A lockable, full wrap-around main zipper offers easy access for packing and unpacking while an over-sized dual zippered shoe/garment pocket leaves ample space to store shoes and/or additional personal items.

“Our intention for all of our travel cover designs is to make the club transport process as seamless as possible, offering products that are easy to maneuver and access but more importantly can absorb the rigors of travel without damaging golf clubs,” said Craig Ramsbottom, President, The Bag Boy Company.

Constructed with weather and tear resistant 600D polyester, the T-700 features deluxe skid bars on the back with a durable skid resistant PVC base and an integrated ID tag holder. For easy maneuverability the T-700 is equipped with smooth rolling in-line skate wheels perfect for climbing up steps and high curbs, and a lift assistant handle for easy loading into a vehicle.

The T-700 is offered in Black/Royal/Silver, Black/Charcoal/Silver and Black/Red/Silver. The travel cover will be available in green grass and retail locations in April 2010, and has a suggested retail price of $79.95. It's a small investment which yields peace-of-mind!

About Bag Boy

Founded in 1946, Bag Boy has become one of the most respected brands in golf by building a reputation for unmatched quality, unbelievable durability and unsurpassed innovation and design. Bag Boy designs, manufactures and distributes a full line of innovative golf bags, push carts, travel covers and accessories designed for a golfer’s on-course convenience and comfort.

For more information about Bag Boy and Bag Boy products, visit http://www.bagboy.com.

New Weather and Tear Resistant Golf Bags

Datrek, a Division of Dynamic Brands and a golf industry leader in golf bags, debuted its 2010 line of innovative cart and stand bags, highlighted by the Assault, Raptor and Sabre models. Marking Datrek’s first new product introduction since being acquired by Dynamic Brands, the 2010 collection combines cutting edge features with fashion forward designs that have become synonymous with the storied brand.

The 2010 collection includes a diverse selection of cart and stand bags that accommodate the needs of all golfers, whether walking the course and carrying, using a push cart or riding in a cart.

“The Datrek brand has had a long history of innovation and success. We are excited to introduce a collection of cart and stand bags that combine style with functionality, and serve to complement our existing portfolio of innovative golf bag offerings,” said Craig Ramsbottom, President, Dynamic Brands.

The abundance of design features offers golfers the ultimate in functionality, style and convenience.

Headlining the 2010 line is the Assault, an extreme performance cart bag that features a 10” top with 14 individual full-length dividers, as well as two external putter wells with noise reducing rubberized grips. Equipped with nine pockets that provide ample storage options, the Assault is outfitted with two crush resistant fleece lined accessories/valuable pockets, an oversized front ball pocket designed for embroidery, a quick grab magnetic ball pocket, and an easy access built-in insulated cooler pocket for added convenience.

The mid-sized Raptor cart bag features a 10” top with 14 individual full-length dividers and an external putter well with noise reducing rubberized grip. Perfect for keeping a golfer’s favorite drink cold, the Raptor has an easy access insulated cooler pocket and offers ample storage space including eight pockets, a dual apparel pocket with an interior mesh organizer and a fleece lined accessories/valuables pocket.

The lightweight Sabre stand bag, weighing in at less than 6 lbs., is perfect for the avid golfer who enjoys walking or riding. Offering a variety of user-friendly benefits, the bag includes a 10” top with eight individual full-length dividers, nine pockets for ample storage space, a scorecard holder sleeve and an easily accessible insulated water bottle holder and ball pocket. In addition, the Sabre is designed for added comfort while carrying, with a rubberized lift assist handle, a stylized hip pad and an ergonomic molded carry handle.

All golf bags in the collection are constructed with 420D weather and tear resistant polyester. Additional bags in the 2010 line include an assortment of cart and stand bags. The cart bag collection includes the Avenger; Fury and Falcon, while additional stand bags in the collection include the Spitfire and Osprey.

The Assault cart bag is offered in Black, Red, Copper and Hunter Green and has an MSRP of $179.95. The Raptor cart bag is offered in five color schemes including Black, Yellow, Royal Blue, Orange and Hunter Green and has an SRP of $149.95. The Sabre stand bag is offered in a variety of color combinations including Black/Black/Silver, Royal Blue/Black/Silver, Graphite/Black/Silver, Hunter Green/Black/Silver and Red/Black/Silver and has an SRP of $149.95. The Datrek collection will be available at golf shops nationwide in June 2010.

About Datrek

Datrek is owned by Dynamic Brands, the parent company for a portfolio of premium brand name companies that are all committed to the development of innovative, quality products and outstanding customer service in the golf and juvenile industries.

Golf products offered through the company’s Bag Boy®, Slotline®, AMF® Golf, Burton®, Datrek®, Devant®, Sir Christopher Hatton® and Miller Golf® brands include walking carts, golf bags, travel bags, golf clubs, high MOI putters, custom image dyed and embroidered golf towels, bag tags and other golf accessories.

Baby Jogger™ is the original inventor and manufacturer of 3-wheel joggers and all-terrain strollers while Advance Mobility™ manufactures all-terrain push chairs for children and adults with physical disabilities. Protect-A-Bub® produces pediatric recommended sunshades and all-weather comfort juvenile products. Dynamic Brands’ products are marketed in more than 50 countries worldwide. For more information about Dynamic Brands, visit http://www.dynamicbrands.com.

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Will Mickelson assist Woods with Masters jacket? Clicgear push cart review and great golf tips are also featured

Click here to listen.

Face it, we all want to see a Tiger Woods - Phil Mickelson duel at this year's Masters Tournament. Even Arnold Palmer declared, "It helps the game to have that kind of rivalry. The more we can talk about Phil and his golf and the challenge to Tiger the better."

Barry and I give you our predictions and discuss how the amateur golfer can learn from the "masters" at this year's major.

We also review the exceptional Clicgear three-wheel push cart, winner of Best New Product at the 2007 PGA Merchandise Show.

Ultra-compact with great features, the Clicgear Push Cart has easily replaced our Bag Boy EZ Fold 12 in the trunk of our car.

Finally, we assist a golfer whose angle of attack is too steep. Help flatten your swing with this week's golf tip!

Continue sending your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes. Nextel/Sprint cell customers type http://www.mymbn.com/podcast/ in your browser and click on "sports casts". Our station number is 1955.

"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by Pioneer Golf and Florida Golf Travel.

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Bag Boy EZ Fold 12 Push Cart

I really didn't need a new push cart. I have an old pull cart from several years ago when I decided I didn't like carrying my bag anymore. The bag just got cumbersome every time I put it on my back then removed it. UGH!

I was fortunate enough to review the Bag Boy EZ Fold 12 Three-Wheel Push Cart. I was given the new push cart to test as part of my writing duty for The Sand Trap but they have removed my name from their website, replacing it with "Guest Author" because I have moved on to bigger and better blogging at Worldgolf.com so I have placed it back here on my site, where I can give myself the credit that has been denied to me by Erik Barzeski.

Here it is:

The Bag Boy EZ Fold 12 Push Cart is both lightweight and as simple to fold as its name implies. But how did it stack up on the golf course?

As Tiger Woods separates himself from the field at the British Open, I pay tribute to something they call a "trolley" across the pond. Though we call them "pull carts" or "push carts" here in the States, trolleys are a staple in the home of golf - a way to relieve players of the burden of carrying clubs without the necessity of a caddie.

Out With the Old
I've been lugging around my old two-wheel pull cart on the golf course for several years. It's old but reliable. Every round, it seems to get heavier and harder to drag. Casting my old cart aside, I felt it was time to enter the 21st century and try the latest in trolleys. My old cart was a pull cart. My new one? I push it like a baby stroller.

What better product to try than a push cart created by an innovative company like Bag Boy? With excitement, I opened the box to my new EZ Fold 12 Push Cart. I'm not particularly handy and leave all areas of assembly to my husband, but I heard that the EZ Fold was simple to put together. I told Barry to leave it to me.

Directions really weren't necessary. Inside the box I found a one-piece frame "constructed utilizing high modulus ultra lightweight aluminum tubing along with a reinforced center section for enhanced durability" and "quick release bicycle-style 12-inch wheels with sealed ball bearings." Long story short: I was up and rolling within five minutes.

My EZ Fold 12 Cart is silver, but fashion conscious golfers can choose between red, navy, or black to coordinate with your own style (or your golf bag). Bag Boy offers a padded cart seat (which fits all Bag Boys made after 1999). It attaches to one wheel (or the other) and offers a place to sit. I think I'll purchase one for those five-hour rounds on the public links (image below).

It was also a kick pulling on the carry handle that says "fold" for the really unaware which quickly squeezes the cart in half and eliminates bending down to grasp the front wheel when folding. Bag Boy picked up this nifty one-hand folding system patent from the Baby Jogger Company, the same company that revolutionized the stroller industry. Just in case you want to see the Bag Boy EZ Fold 12 in action you can catch a video created at the Bag Boy website.

With my old two-wheeler I can leave my bag on the cart, tilt down the small adjustable handle and place the whole set of clubs and cart in the trunk of my Benz along with my husband's set of golf clubs. The larger, ergonomically designed one-piece handle of the EZ Fold 12 is more comfortable for my wrists to rest upon but you cannot adjust the grip nor tilt the one-piece assembly for more comfort. You can remove the bag from the push cart and easily fold it but that's just one more step when you're looking to make a hasty departure after your round.

Take it Apart, Put it Together
The new EZ Fold needed to be disassembled and placed separately in my trunk. The two rear wheels release with difficult-to-push metal spring releases. I literally had to balance the cart on my legs and press with both hands on the release to get it to bend. Then you have to put the cart in awkward positions in order to remove each wheel. I found the difficulty in collapsing the cart disappointing, but the real test would be pushing my clubs around the golf course.

I took my new Bag Boy out to a local, hilly golf course to put it through its paces. The wheels popped on more easily than they came off and my large Burton cart bag found a comfortable position in the adjustable brackets. The deluxe scorecard holder was handy and easy to access. The pencil holder actually held the pencil in place and was located conveniently above the scorecard.

The plastic storage compartment was useful enough to store my Nutrigrain snack bars, though it was a little small, flat, and difficult to open using the small finger grip. The built-in beverage holder was large enough to carry a midsized (20oz) blue Gatorade. An optional insulated 12-pack cooler bag features an adjustable handle, tee holder pouch, and accessory pocket and is a great conversation piece to carry along when playing with a foursome.

Throughout the round I wheeled the Bag Boy EZ Fold 12 everywhere (believe me, my golf game gave me plenty of opportunity to visit all kinds of places). When I gave the Bag Boy a little push, it rolled all by itself. Once, when I pushed it downhill, it curved to the right and eventually toppled over, spewing my golf clubs along the fairway - not good! However, I must admit that it was simpler to push the EZ Fold up a hill than to pull my old two-wheeler behind me and I was less winded to boot!

I finished my round and removed the bag from the push cart. With an influx of Canadian geese occupying my golf course every year, removing the wheels became a dirty event. I couldn't clean the wheels enough before touching them and found this to be really disgusting. At least with my old pull cart I could clean the wheels just enough before placing the entire structure onto a towel and into my trunk.

My husband gave the EZ Fold its next test. Barry loves to walk but has been sitting in an electric cart recently because of an injured knee. Wanting to walk the course with his usual foursome, Barry asked if I could loan him the Bag Boy. I eagerly agreed asking him to give me his opinion for this review. One of his golf buddies recently purchased the 2005 Sun Mountain Speed Cart V1, which would serve as a nice comparison.

Barry found the Bag Boy EZ Fold 12 easy to open and not too difficult to insert the wheels. Pushing the Bag Boy was considerably easier than carrying as he usually does and at times he said he felt like he had a personal caddy!

However the EZ Fold 12 had some drawbacks. As his friend let the Sun Mountain travel freely down a hill to a safe landing the Bag Boy, having a narrower wheel base, fell over very easily. Sun Mountain also has an adjustable height handle which accomodates people of different heights. The Sun Mountain V1 also has a more convenient cable-driven brake lever near the top of the handle versus the foot brake in the middle of the axle of the Bag Boy. The Sun Mountain is lighter, easier to push, and most importantly, folds to a convenient size with all wheels attached so that you don't have to completely clean the wheels before storing the cart in your trunk. In addition the tires on the EZ Fold 12 are hard rubber versus the air-inflatable tires of the Sun Mountain which gave the Sun Mountain a softer feel.

Conclusion
After listening to Barry's comparison and trying the Bag Boy for myself, dollar for dollar, the better value goes to Sun Mountain over Bag Boy. Club Glove has also improved their own line of push carts introducing the Kaddy Stroller in response to the EZ Fold 12. The Kaddy Stroller has options similar to Sun Mountain including both hand and foot brakes, a quick-release system and a lightweight frame understanding the importance of these items to their customers. Although Bag Boy has several other designs in both pull and push carts the EZ Fold 12 is their top-of-the-line cart. Perhaps with a little more innovation and creativity, Bag Boy will create a formidable option in response to these upgraded models introduced by their competitors.

As you can see from my review, I tried to be very thorough. Some people made fun of me because I went into alot of detail, but I thought that's what a review should do! Give adequate detail for both the layman and the experienced user.

I will go over the basics here and I hope, if you're interested in purchasing one of these carts that you'll do your homework first. I'm glad I got this Bag Boy EZ Fold 12 Push Cart for free. I understand that they run about $200 in the stores and I don't think I would have been too happy paying that and not getting some of the features that are on other makes such as the new Sun Mountain that my husband tested as part of my review.

I will let you know that, in using the cart I noticed several things that you should be aware of.

One thing is for sure...if you don't disassemble this particular pull cart, you will use all of the space in your car between your golf bag and your pull cart. The wheels get pretty dirty after a round and for women, that's the kiss of death!

Also, the foot brake gets cumbersome after awhile. I really wish the EZ Fold 12 had a hand brake like some of the other models. Or maybe, if this particular footbrake was easier to use, it might have changed my mind about that particular function.

Also, allowing the cart to freewheel down the fairway is difficult for the Bag Boy EZ Fold 12 Push Cart. Barry told me that the Sun Mountain tracks straight and true and that the wheels are further apart creating a wider wheel base thus steadying the cart. If the EZ Fold 12 gets going and hits a bump, your clubs will be all over the fairway (as mine were).

I also read a brief review for the Kaddy Stroller by Club Glove which has similar features to the Sun Mountain V1 Speed Cart which Barry got to try out thanks to one of his golf buddies.

In conclusion, before you go out and decide to spend about $200 of your hard-earned cash, compare several of these carts for yourselves. Make sure they have hand brakes (and foot brakes combined) if that's what you want, a wide wheel base , a quick-release system, good solid bicycle tires and a lightweight frame.