IBM Gets Social. Join In! #MySmarterCommerce

My readers may already be familiar with my personal and professional progression as it relates to golf and the internet; how my blog and Golf for Beginners brand has evolved over ten years through the use of social media and collaboration.

 

It is because of my social media presence that I have been asked by IBM to partner with them on their new Smarter Commerce Campaign, becoming one of the "faces" of this new technology platform and helping them to define what smarter commerce means to me and you.

 

 

 

 

This month I have been requested to share my consumer-centric story with you, my audience, through social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and through this blog using the hashtag #MYSMARTERCOMMERCE.

 

This means, if I tag a post, blog or picture with the hashtag #MySmarterCommerce, it is so that I can share how my life has been impacted by technology, society or maybe it's just something that I happened upon in my daily grind. I hope that, when you see me using this hashtag, you will consider continuing the conversation with me and let me know how something you saw or did during your day has changed the way you do business!

 

Throughout February, IBM will have a running feed highlighting all tweets with the hashtag #MySmarterCommerce and, at the end of the month, all content created will be compiled into one social story.

 

Here are a few of the social channels I'll be utilizing:

Twitter: Golf4Beginners

Facebook: Stacy Solomon

Pinterest: Ask to join the board I created and post freely - #MySmarterCommerce

 

How does technology play a role in our lives?

How do we network and grow both personally and as connected consumers?

Do we know what other businesses think about our brand?

To tell you the truth, even I don't know where this is going yet but...I'm sure to enjoy the ride!

 

I hope that, as I help IBM define what smarter commerce means to me, in turn, I'll learn more about your personal stories of brand building and how social media, digital and mobile technology has helped you grow both personally and on a professional level.

 

I will be sharing a 'day in my life' with you to create a "think-tank" of sorts and I invite you today to take this journey with me.

 

An Introduction to IBM Smarter Commerce:

 

 

#spon: I have been invited by IBM to share my honest thoughts and experiences around Smarter Commerce, and as part of this collaboration, IBM may provide me with product, access, content or other forms of remuneration. All opinions are expressly my own.

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Is Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson or Vijay Singh Biggest Story to Kickstart Golf Season?

Although the 2013 golf season has just begun, several stories are already making headlines, from Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson wins to Vijay Singh's steroid use. Which story do golf fans really want to hear about?

Unable to dial into the Golf Channel Media Conference Call yesterday, I was sent the transcript which started off with a very interesting question, namely, "what has been the most significant thing to kickstart the golf season and why?" Three experts that appear on Morning Drive were at hand to answer questions.

Unfortunately for golf...and for Vijay Singh, the World Golf Hall of Famer was on the tip of the tongues of all three respondents;  Gary Williams, John Cook and Brandel Chamblee, but it was Williams who mentioned that, with Singh's admission, that this is now a PGA Tour issue which means this could lead to suspension...not very good for Vijay who turns fifty this year.

As for recent victories by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, yes they are significant but, with the season just beginning, there's plenty of golf left to be played with fresh faces like Bill Haas and Nick Watney popping up each week near the top of the leaderboard or in the winners circle.

"The fact that we've got them both (Woods, Mickelson) winning in the first five weeks of the year makes really the next several weeks leading into Match Play and beyond very exciting for all of us," mentioned Williams.

John Cook stated that, in addition to the stories of the tried and true golfers, younger U.S. players winning early in the golf season is reason to rejoice but Chamblee was quick to disagree commenting that "as long as Tiger Woods is playing golf, he'll hold our interest far above anything else."

Do you agree that, as long as Tiger Woods is in the field and once again a winner that he will be the most talked about news item this year on the PGA Tour? Will fans stay tuned to golf if Woods falters and his season becomes a non-event?

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook.

photo credit: ESPN

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Top Five Environmentally Friendly Golf Course Repurposes

In honor of the PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open tournament, Golf for Beginners has found this offbeat, environmentally friendly list of Golf Course Repurposes from RepurposedMaterialsInc.com, a company that re-uses industry waste and byproducts to be used in a completely different industry.  Enjoy!

 

Top Five Golf Course Repurposes:

 

1.      Advertising Billboards repurposed as Tarps for Equipment, Pond Liners, etc.

2.      Beverage Filter Cloths repurposed as Lawn Tarps for Pruning Waste

3.      Swimming Pool Covers repurposed as Sun Shade Screens

4.      Street Sweeper Brushes repurposed as Turf Rollers

5.      Conveyor Belting repurposed as Golf Cart Path

 

 

 

See many more fun economically and environmentally-friendly ideas and materials for golf course and more at www.repurposedmaterialsinc.com.

 

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook.

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Tiger Woods Shows Fashion Forward Golf Style from Torrey Pines to the Masters

Did you happen to notice that Tiger Woods was not wearing red when he began his fourth round at Torrey Pines? If so, you are not alone. Golf Channel, fans and even Tiger commented on the fact that his signature red golf shirt would be worn during the last day of the event.

Why is Tiger Woods' golf clothing so important? Who would have ever thought that golf clothing could be fashion forward? A few years ago, golf clothing consisted of plaid pants and mismatched shirts. With Tiger Woods and the young guns entering the sport, all this has changed.

Aside from the red, Tiger Woods has become a fashion statement in the world of golf and fans are intrigued by everything Woods; his golf equipment, clothing style, shoes and accessories make Tiger Woods a walking GQ model for golf and for the fashion industry.

To be sure, Tiger Woods' win number seventy-five at Torrey Pines is significant; he is second in overall wins to only the great Sam Snead and this win this could very well be the return of a 'raring-to-go' Tiger 2.0, ready to break records again and renew the faith of his fans.

With the 2013 Masters Tournament comes much speculation as to who will win at Augusta (yes, it's starting now!) and, even though we don't have odds (Tiger as favorite?), at least we will have the inside scoop as to what Tiger Woods will be wearing each day of the event.

Owner of OnlyGolfApparel.com, Doug Janchik, gave Golf for Beginners the 'heads-up' on Tiger Woods' Masters Collection and yes, you too can look GQ like Woods!

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Thanks to Guest Golf Blogger, Doug Janchik:

Feast your eyes on what Tiger Woods will certainly be wearing for the “The Masters” in 2013.

Our team provides you with the most current products from the PGA Tour prior to it’s launch to the general public.  Tiger Woods, winner of five Masters Tournaments, will be decorated with his own label from Nike Golf Apparel through the second week of April. Let’s take a look at this striking, unique collection.

·        Thursday –TW Jacquard Polo has a self fabric collar, three button placket and weighs in at a remarkably light 7.oz. It is made from 91% Polyester and 9% Spandex.  The hue is known as “Night Stadium.”  The TW pant is Ultralight at 5.5oz. 95% polyester and 5% spandex with a v-notch hem.  And let’s not forget the latest TW 13 shoes this season. Tiger himself was key when developing this unique footwear.  He requested a shoe that he could actually wear on as well as off the golf course. This was the crossover of Nike FREE technology into golf shoes.

·         Friday – TW Modern color block polo has a self fabric collar, two button placket and a pique body.  It is made out of 87% polyester and 13% spandex.  The hue is white with a dandelion color block that graces the collar and side of the polo.  Tiger Woods' pants for this day are still TW Ultralight’s but in a squadron blue color.  He will also sport his high performance shoe but in white.

·         Saturday – Friday – TW Modern color block polo has a self fabric collar, two button placket and a pique body.  It is made out of 87% polyester and 13% spandex.  The hue is white with a dandelion color block that graces the collar and side of the polo.  Tiger's pants for this day are still TW Ultralight’s however in a squadron blue color.  He will additionally sport his high performance shoe but in white. 

·         Sunday – Sunday – On Sunday Tiger Woods will pounce with his unique TW Trajectory Polo (optimistically in the last group) in his renowned “red” color. This golf shirt has a self fabric collar, plain slit packet and is 88% polyester and 12% Spandex. This is the wardrobe which has won him fourteen Major Championships.

 The Tiger Woods golf collection can be found at onlygolfapparel.com.

Like OnlyGolfApparel on Facebook too!

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook.

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@ATT Nokia Lumia 920 Opens Windows to the World of Golf #GiftMoneyCantBuy #SPON

A few weeks ago I wrote about an ATT promotion, "A Gift That Money Can't Buy", which is a website where teens can give something to their parents that they might want, and, in turn, hint at something cool for themselves...namely the new Nokia Lumia 920 smartphone running Windows 8 platform.

 

 

I am now the proud possessor of my very own Nokia Lumia 920 and have been using it for a couple of weeks. Here is why I like the new Lumia 920 and some of the cool things I can do with it...so far!

 

When ATT first introduced the Nokia Lumia 920 Smartphone, I must admit, I was one of the first people to run to the Windows store in the Westchester Mall in order to catch a glimpse of it. I'm a techie (the Bronx Science in me still remains) and the Lumia doesn't disappoint, from the slim fit in my pocket (just the right weight, yet not heavy) right down to the large 4.5 inch screen.

 

In my last post I mentioned how smooth and quick the Nokia Lumia 920 flies through the tasks I assign it but now, I can add that it loads apps and opens them lickety-split.

 

Since I am a golf fanatic, the first thing I did was load up a few apps. I use Mobitee, for example, as my GPS Golf Rangefinder: it loaded effortlessly. Gaming features like the X-Box Live Hub work great (if you are an X-Box fan like I am). The Nokia City Lens is a very interesting concept as well, helping to find local establishments using the phone's camera display.

 

Nokia City Lens on Windows 8

 

The Nokia Lumia 920 also gives you a few free business downloads like Skydrive storage for documents and Microsoft Office, a must for smartphones nowadays!

 

All-in-all, I am very satisfied with the Nokia Lumia 920. I just sent my husband his top-secret golf tip from Keegan Bradley who mentions that his golf ball is the "coolest guy in town"  What did he mean by that? Go to the A Gift Money Cant Buy website and send Bradley's golf tip to your special someone today!

 

 

Disclosure statement: M80 has contacted Golf for Beginners to write a blog post on behalf of AT&T.  Golf for Beginners is receiving free products as compensation in exchange for participation and is being compensated per FTC guidelines. http://ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedend  #SPON

 

 

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook.

 

 

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Golf Tips To Help With Your Long Putts

Guest columnist and Director of Golf Instruction at the beautifully elegant Club at Mediterra, Adam Bazalgette, shares with readers of the Golf for Beginners blog why lag putting is the secret to a low handicap.

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Long putting, or lag putting as it is often called, is a key to good scoring in golf.

 On the PGA Tour, the players make an average of just fifty percent of their putts from eight feet, which means that the everyday golfer will do well to make fifty percent of their six-foot putts! The current strokes-gained putting leader? Bryce Molder! These may seem like low averages, but there is a lot that can go wrong on a short putt; spike marks and other imperfections on the green, a slight misread, a lip out, etc.

When putting from, say, more than twenty-five feet, you will find it is very easy to misjudge the distance by six feet or more, whereas it is unlikely that you will miss left or right by more than a couple of feet. This is why distance control is so important.

 The two biggest components in good distance control are good visualization, or green reading, and proper rhythm in the stroke. Both require practice to become reliable.

Simply watching a lot of putts roll (practice) will help you read greens and become a good visualizer of putts. A test of your visualization skills is that once a long putt is a third of the way to the hole you should be able to estimate pretty accurately whether it is going long, short, or about the right distance.

Only when a golfer can fairly accurately see the ball rolling in their mind at the correct speed across the green BEFORE they step over the putt can they expect to be able to feel the desired stroke.

Regarding rhythm, there are a few objectives to understand:

• In a pendulum, the length of the backstroke and through stroke are the same; this is due to gravity.
• It is also true that in a pendulum maximum speed is reached at the very bottom of the arc. However, most people don't realize that at the bottom of the arc there is NO acceleration, it has reached maximum speed.

The middle of the arc is, therefore, right where we want to make contact with the golf ball in our stroke, the point with the most speed and the least "Hit" or acceleration. I strongly recommend that you practice this at times without aiming at a hole, just focusing on your motion.

A great drill is to place two tees in the green, say three feet apart (vary this drill), and hit some putts placing the ball right in between the tees, and slightly to the side of them in order to allow you to hit a putt. Don't over-control the putter with your hands, but feel the pendulum rhythm of your stroke until the putter head goes evenly from tee to tee and you can roll several balls the same distance. Once this becomes natural you are on your way to better putting!

One final point, the time each stroke takes (think of a metronome) should always be the same. This means that the putter will have to be swung faster throughout the motion (not just in the forward swing) on longer putts than shorter putts. The rhythm, such as tick-tock, will then always be a constant.

Best of luck with this...now go practice!

 About the Author: 

Adam Bazalgette grew up in London, England, where he took up golf. He has been teaching golf full-time since 1992.  
Adam worked for David Leadbetter in Orlando and in 1994 was promoted to the Academy Director at the Leadbetter’s Naples facility.  

Adam currently is the director of golf instruction at The Club at Mediterra in Naples Florida and has held this position for the last six years.  Make sure to visit his site at http://adambgolf.com for private lessons if your going to be in the Naples Florida area!

Say hi to Adam Bazalgette on Twitter and like on Facebook!   



AND...Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook!

photo credit: activerain.com, Adam Bazalgette

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