In a nutshell the answer has to be probably not. Instead a golfer wants a ball that he can comfortably control off the tee and that travels further.

With this in mind let’s look at 3 different types of golf ball.

Distance balls

These balls are generally hard covered and will travel further if hit correctly. They are generally at the cheaper end of the market, but it does depend on the brand. Don’t believe the adverts and try different versions out for yourself to find one that’s indeed right.

Low compression

These balls also have a hard cover but are designed for those with lower swing speeds to travel farther. Some people swear by them and suggest that they can give you an extra 10-15 yards

Multi layered balls

Multi layered or ‘soft’ balls are designed to give maximum spin. They have a soft shell and are designed for low handicapped players who need to hold the faster greens, but yet still hit the distance. The trouble with this kind of ball is that because it spins more, it will also spin more when you slice or hook it. So buy this ball if you like, but you had better be good at hitting it sweetly. Some people also suggest that the soft balls also go out of shape quicker and you will be replacing them much more often.

So there you have it  3 different types of golf ball…which one would you choose?

A lot of people thought that Luke did not ‘want it enough’ and the way he was playing it was hardly surprising. Luke Donald, the 33 year old British born golfer, turned pro in 2001 and amassed more than $1 million  in earnings in his first professional year. It wasn’t until 2004 that he won his first masters event winning both the Omega and the Scandinavian masters. In that very same year he became an integral part of the victorious Ryder Cup team. Things were going well for him, then he hit a dip in form which lasted for five years.

In the years 2005-2009 Luke saw his ranking slip from 9^th to 67^th and many had feared that he had lost heart. However in late 2010  he won the Madrid Masters on the European tour circuit and this seemed to really spark him into life. He shot back up the rankings by being there or there about and eventually in 2011 he beat Lee Westwood in a sudden death play off hole to win the WGC matchplay championship to propel him to the number 1 spot.

The future for Luke Donald is looking bright as he seems to have gotten his ‘mojo’ back. However maybe he can’t rest on his laurels because there is a plethora of up and coming stars snapping at his heels.

So how do the professionals make it look so easy? In reality there is no perfect swing, but what the pro’s do have is consistency. If you have a good grip, aim and set up, then the swing should come automatically. Well that’s the theory anyway.

Let’s take a look at how you can perfect your golf swing

Rhythm

Rhythm is really important as this is what all good golf swings start with. Keep your swing constant all through the shot. It’s no good forcing the club back really fast as this will result in your body and the club working against each other and ultimately producing a poor down stroke. The main idea is to create speed on the down swing and not the up swing. But whatever you do consistency is key

Back swing

The key to a good back swing is all in the arm placement. Although how you grip the club with your hands is important, it is easier to get the arm positioning right first. As you start to pull the club back, your left shoulder and your hips should naturally turn allowing the weight to be transferred on to your right hand side. At this point you are looking to have the hands set at about waist height. When you reach the top of your swing, make sure that your hands are still set and not in a broken position. Finally remember over swing at the top will create negative club speed and result in a poor down stroke.

Down swing

When you start the down swing remember to drive through with your left arm from the top as this creates a more constant swing. Also remember to keep your head firmly focussed on the ball at all times.

Good finish

How you finish a shot is just as important as the rest of the swing. You are looking to end up so that  your hands end up close to your ear. Your right knee should be facing the target and your right foot should be up so that all the spikes of your shoe are visible.

Like anything practice makes perfect, so go ahead and practice, practice, practice.

In general the majority of beginners have real problems making contact with the ball. They either top the ball, so that it scuffs along the ground, or worse still, don’t make contact with the ball at all and end up taking a big chunk of the fairway as a memento. To counteract this, why not choose a club with a large or oversized club head. This will make it much easier to make contact with the ball.

If you are having problems with your swing, then an offset club head will counteract your swing so that the head of the club connects sweetly with the ball. An offset club head will appear much more square with the target and not quite so open. Also a club head with weights that are adjustable can make for a club that is adaptable to your particular swing style.

Finally, the biggest problem for beginners is getting the ball in the air. You can buy woods and clubs with a higher loft and lower centre of gravity. This means that it will make it easier for you to lift the ball into the air and to make it travel further.

There are some good companies out there who make golf clubs for beginners so if you are serious about the game, it may pay you to check them out.

So with this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most exclusive and swankiest courses in the world.

Liberty Golf Course. Jersey city. NJ

Let’s start with the fees. Even before you swing a club you will have to stump up a whopping $500,000 and that’s not all..on top of this there are annual fees of $25,000. The course is well known for its close proximity to Manhattan. Speedboats shuttle people from the boardroom to the first tee and your personally appointed caddy will make dinner and theatre reservations through the club’s own concierge services. The exclusive clubhouse offers Michelin starred cuisine and a luxury spa retreat. The course itself has stunning views of the statue of liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

Shadow Creek, Las Vegas

Only the Americans could build a golf course smack in the middle of the Nevada desert. The only way to access it is by private limousine. The course has no signage and instead you are guided around by expert caddies. Costs are $500 per round and is by invitation only.

Thai Country Club, Bangkok, Thailand

This is quite cheap compared to other more exclusive courses and at around $150 per eighteen holes it is at least affordable. However the stunning scenery of lush greens and an oasis of water and palm trees more than makes up for it. Oh.. and the caddies offer the golfers 12 year old single malt whisky after every third hole

Mahilis Championship Course , Dubai United Arab Emirates.

For Dubai standards $130 per round is pretty meagre. However like everything in Dubai this is done on a grand scale. Nicknamed the desert miracle it truly is an oasis in a desert wilderness. The complex has 5 star hotels, restaurants, squash and tennis courts along with a selection of swimming pools. It is also home to the Dubai desert masters and is the first all grass course within the gulf region.

So there you have it.. 4 golf courses that you might well only ever dream of playing on.

Tip 1 – Focus on your speed

As the saying goes, speed is of the essence and it might be useful to remember that when a putting shot is travelling at the right velocity, it has 3 times as much chance of going in the hole. So how can you practice on your speed?

Practice makes perfect right, so how about just before you line up to make that all important monster putt, having a couple of dummy runs without the ball. Get a good feel for what the speed is like and transfer that power through when you hit the ball. Even if you miss the cup because your aim is a little off, the speed will be right and therefore should result in a simple tap in next shot.

Tip 2 – It’s all in the shoulders

A lot of people when they are going for a putt, tend to keep their shoulders rigid and swing from the elbows. This will result in your putting going horribly wrong. Instead, the shoulders should be the ones directing the shot and your hands and arms should simply be locked for extra stability. Think of it as a giant pendulum starting at your shoulders and going all the way through to the head of the club. If you can use the shoulders correctly this will result in better directional aim and less pulling and pushing of putts.

If you can master these two tips, then you are a good way towards improving your game dramatically.