If you are like most golfers, you have purchased hundreds of dollars of golf training equipment. How many gimmicky training aids do you have lying around?

Now I want you to picture something.

Put all the training aids together in your mind and picture using them all at the same time. What do you think would be the results?

I don’t think it would be pretty and that’s my point.

It’s so easy to look for the ‘magic bullet’. But the magic bullet is staring you in the face. You heard that right, it’s YOU!

You swing the club and play the gameso why wouldn’t you spend the time and money on improving YOU?

So stop buying the latest greatest training aid and focus on improving your own physical limitations.

So let’s get back to golf training equipment.

I’d like to make a couple of suggestions.

I’m all for swinging a weighted club. You couldn’t get more golf-specific than that. That would be a purchase that will give you a high return.

Next on the list would be exercise tubing. It only costs approximately $20-$25 and would be another very wise investment.

The beauty of tubing is the ability to break down the golf swing into as many phases as you like and do resistance (tubing) training specific to that phase.

The next piece of golf training equipment is the stability ball. Any golfer with a bad back should have one.

You can do so many stretches on it, and you can have this in your office, home or even when you travel since it’s deflatable.

And lastly, hand weights. Another term is dumbbells. You can do dozens of golf-specific exercises with a simple pair of dumbbells. The cost is 50 cents a pound and they are very portable.

Other than the above golf training equipment, you could get one, maybe two trainings aids specific to your swing fault.

For example, if you’re a slicer, the Inside Approach is a great device to use right on the range.

But dump all the old, ineffective training aids you have in your garage and focus on what will give you the greatest return on investment (both time and money).

And remember; if you are doing something that’s not workingstop! Move onto something new and different. Don’t get in a rut. Catch yourself before this happens.

This article was provided by Mike Pedersen, one of the leading golf fitness experts in the country. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to transform your game, Mike has a new book out with easy tips, techniques and cutting-edge golf exercises. Go take a look at http://www.ultimategolffitnessguide.com.

Golf equipment doesn’t work? Did that catch your attention? I hope so. Now keep reading.

Just the other day I was watching the Golf Channel and they were talking yet again about the latest and greatest drives and irons. This golf equipment (new technology) that has gotten totally out of hand, is making these companies a ton of money.

Why?

Because they prey on vulnerable, frustrated golfers looking to play better through golf equipment.

Here’s my beef!

It’s not working! I don’t care what these companies sayI see golfers everyday, buying new golf equipment and STILL not playing any better. It’s a known fact that the average golf handicap has not gone down in over 20 years!

It’s NOT the equipment that’s going to improve your gameit’s YOU!

You swing that club. You show up to the range or course. It all depends on your current physical condition how well you will swingand especially for 18 holes.

Is that registering with you yet?

How many new clubs have you bought lately? Did it allow you to play betterconsistently? Be honest. Don’t let your pride answer that question. Just state the facts. Are your scores lower? Do you swing with better consistency?

These are questions to constantly ask yourself to make sure you are seeing progress. If you’re notthen save your money and get working on YOU!

It’s always fun to see the new golf equipment that’s coming outbut your game is dependant on your physical capabilities, not compensations with golf equipment.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance experts in the country. He is Golf Magazine’s golf performance expert; author, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance manual and dvds at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in the form of the yoroi during the Gempei War of 1181-1185. The weight of the yoroi was around 60lb. The upper-body armor of the samurai was known as the ‘Do’. This comprised of the ‘Sode’, the suspended shoulder and upper-arm protection plates. The Sode had hoops by which silk cord was tied and then fixed to the back of the armor in an ‘agemaki’ / decorative knotted tassel. Guards were also placed over the shoulder cords, and a leather plate placed across the bow cords to prevent them from been cut or becoming ensnared during a skirmish.

A samurai’s protective helmet, or Kabuto typically consisted of from eight to a dozen plates all fixed together with cone shaped bolts. Much like in the military of other cultures, a samurai’s helmet would display the samurai’s rank and his group or clan, and often be very elaborate and decorative looking. As many samurai had long hair, their ponytails would protrude through the tehen, a gap left in the centre of the helmets crown.

Shikoro is the name of the thick five-plated protector of the back of the head, neck and the cheekbone which was fastened to the bowl of the helmet. The top four plates of the Shikoro would be upturned to create the fukigaeshi. The idea of the fukigaeshi was to prevent the vertical slicing of the shikoro’s horizontal fastening chords. A visor is also on the front of helmet and is known as the mabisashi. This would not only help to keep the sunlight out of the samurai’s eyes, but its protrusion would also act as a degree of protection for the face from the extended and downward strike of the enemy’s sword.

As part of the samurai attire, mainly for those of higher importance an eboshi, a silk cap-like headgear would be worn under the helmet. As the samurai during this early time of the Gempei War fought much on horseback and utilized bows and arrows, the right arm of the standard samurai soldier had no restricting protection to allow for the drawing back of the bow. A light protective sleeve was worn on the left arm.

Not all fighters during the Gempei War were of the samurai class, and therefore were equipped differently and wore a different style of lighter armor called the ‘Do Maru’. A body Wrap style of armor resting on the shoulders and fastening under the right armpit was far less restricting than the yoroi. It was based on this freer design of armor that development would be made for the samurai’s armor of the future.

For a continuation of and a more in depth look at samurai armor, visit our website at http://www.japanese-samurai-swords.net

Inflatable boats, also called rubber boats or dinghies, have been around in one form or another for thousands of years. They now come in many different sizes and models and include inflatable kayaks, sport boats, and inflatable catamarans. Their versatility and relatively low cost have contributed to their popularity, and more and more water enthusiasts are discovering the advantages of owing an inflatable boat.

Evolution of the Inflatable Boat

Historical records indicate that the first inflatable boats were animal skins filled with air. Over the years, many cultures have created various versions of inflatable watercraft, and in 1839, the Duke of Wellington tested the first inflatable pontoons. In the decades that followed, many new designs were introduced and some of them were utilized by European military forces.

The inflatable boats were used to transport torpedoes and other cargo. They also allowed troops to make discreet landings in shallow water, and their compact size and storability made them easy to bring with, even on overland marches where it would not have been possible to bring a traditional boat.

One of the models, the Zodiac, grew to be very popular with the military and contributed significantly to the rise of the civilian inflatable boat industry, both in Europe and in the United States. After World War II, surplus inflatable boats were sold to the public and the general population had a chance to experience how easy and enjoyable these boats can be.

Since then, inflatable kayaks, sailing inflatables, inflatable canoes, sport boats, and belly boats have been added to the mix. Some inflatable boats run 45 feet in length or more and may include inboard steering, luxury features, and even full cabins. Inflatable boats have evolved so much that today, the only thing inflatable on some boats is the collar around the perimeter gunwales of the deck.

Hull Designs & Types of Inflatable Boats

Inflatable boats come in rigid hull design and soft-bottom style. Soft-bottom boats have floors made of fabric and slats (usually wood) running across the beam. This design is generally found in smaller inflatables ranging from about 6 to 8 feet in length only.

Rigid hulls, or RIBs, were introduced in 1967 by Tony Lee-Elliott and advanced by Admiral Hoare and the Atlantic College in Wales. As opposed to soft-bottom boats, which have a fabric hull with inflatable or wood keels, RIBs have hard fiberglass or aluminum hulls and large, inflatable tubes. This allows for a combination of the best features from both types of boats.

Some RIBs incorporate the V-shaped bow similar to that of a traditional boat. This design consists of a separate inflation tube running the length of the boat beneath the floorboards. Once inflated, it pushes the floor materials down to form the V-shape that helps in steering. The flotation collars on many RIBs are removable, making them easier to store and to clean.

RIBs typically range from 10 to 30 feet in length and are propelled by either by an outboard motor or an inboard motor turning a water jet or z-drive. They were first used as lifeboats in 1970, and later as dinghies or tenders on larger pleasure yachts. Many of today’s sport boats used for fishing and water skiing are made with RIB designs.

Inflatable Sport Boats

Inflatable sport boats generally describe recreational boats that are used for fishing, water skiing, and other activities where a motor is required. Depending on the size of the craft, an inflatable sport boat can be used with a motor that generates up to 40 units of horsepower They can be deflated and packed away for easy transport or used with a trailer to avoid having to inflate at each use. Inflatable sport boats typically cost much less than their traditional counterparts and, because they are lighter, use much less gas.

High Performance

Several companies also make high performance inflatable boats that are used for racing, rescue, and other activities where speed is essential. These high performance boats generally have additional inflation tubes that lift the boat up off the water and create additional hydroplaning effects. They typically use larger motors, sometimes up to 400 horsepower. Because of their speed they are more difficult to navigate and require an experienced captain.

Inflatable Canoes, Kayaks, and Other Personal Watercraft

On the flip side are the inflatable canoes and kayaks that rely on human power and are used by one or two people at a time. These watercraft often look similar to their traditional counterparts, but have inflatable bodies, making them much lighter and easier to transport. They are often less expensive as well.

In more recent years, inflatable sailboats and inflatable catamarans also have been introduced. They usually range from 12 to 14 feet in length and, like inflatable canoes and kayaks, only accommodate one or two people.

Belly boats are yet another category of inflatable personal watercraft. These floats are sometimes called pontoon boats, but are not to be confused with the large, flat-bottomed craft often seen carrying large numbers of people on area lakes. Belly boats were specifically designed to be used for fishing and often look like floating donuts with a seat. Some may have two small pontoons with a seating area suspended between. Most are less than eight feet long and have room for just one person.

Yacht Tenders

Falling in between inflatable kayaks and other personal watercraft and the larger sport and performance boats are the Yacht Tenders. These are typically inflatable boats that range in length from 6 feet to 20 feet and, as the name implies, they are often used as lifeboats and runabouts on larger vessels. Yacht tenders can also be used for fishing, general boating, river rafting, and other activities where a motor is not essential. Many tenders can be paired with a small electric motor if needed.

These categories of inflatable boats provide a general overview of the choices available. There are many variations and unique designs within these categories. In addition, some larger models of inflatable boats have inboard steering stations, cabin areas, and other features similar to traditional yachts.

As the inflatable boat industry continues to advance and grow in popularity, we are likely to see many new and innovative designs in the future, providing even more opportunities to find the inflatable boat that fits perfectly with your budget and boating needs.

About the Author:

C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Inflatable-Boats-N-kayaks.com, providing consumer information on

inflatable boats and

inflatable kayaks. She and
her family make frequent fishing trips to Canada’s backcountry. The numerous
portages required to reach some of the smaller lakes have made her especially
appreciative of the lightweight, compact design of the

inflatable dinghy.

Copyright 2005 Inflatable-Boats-N-Kayaks.com

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the
author’s byline is included and all links are hyperlinked.

Did you ever plan that fishing trip to the big lake, then when you got there you realized you had no idea where to start fishing? Too much ground to cover, right? Let’s break it down a bit to simplify it.

The first thing you want to look for is cover; something that ‘looks’ like a good place for a bass to hide. Depending on the time of day, they will probably be there.

Quite often, you will see stumps and reeds sticking up out of the water. These are easy and obvious spots to fish, and you should definitely fish them. But you also want to look for something that is not always so obvious: grass.

Sometimes you will see grass sticking up near the shore line, and it may extend out from the bank several feet, maybe even many yards. You want to fish these areas very thoroughly early in the morning and in the evening. Also, fish these areas as well on cloud covered days and cooler days when the bass may stay shallow.

Don’t pull your boat in at a high speed, just get close enough where you can drift in or use a trolling motor to quietly work your way to the cover. It’s very easy to spook fish in grass near the shore.

Be sure to look in the water around you and under you to see how far out the grass extends. You will likely find some other vegetation, like hydrilla, which is a good place for bass to hide. These areas need to be fished thoroughly.

As the day goes on, the fish will usually start moving away from the shore to deeper waters. If the grass and hydrilla extend out quite a way from the bank, start backing away from the bank in search of the bass that are moving to deeper water.

Don’t get in a hurry. Use a good weedless lure and work it very, very slowly through the grass. Painfully slow. I suggest you use plastics that will sink slowly. This way you can come across the top of the grass slowly, and the bait will fall into holes in the vegetation. When this happens, hold on tight.

Let the bait sink and don’t move it for 10 or 15 seconds, or more. Then, when you do move it, just twitch it a little by jiggling the tip of your rod. The idea here is that you are trying to get your lure to imitate an injured bait fish. This is a deadly action that will entice even the most stubborn bass.

You can also fish the edge of the grass with other lures that are not so weedless, as long as you be careful not to cast the lure into the grass. This will only frustrate you with hang ups and lost lures. For this, I would recommend spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

So, next time you go the that ‘big’ lake, try this method as a starting point. It should help you get on the bass quickly and make for a much more enjoyable trip.

Michael Russell
MgrCentral.com
Established 2001
Home Business Training and Information Guides
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A golfer elbow injury has got to be one of the most dreaded injuries on any golf course.

And it is not too difficult to figure out why. To begin with a golfer elbow injury will usually take a long time to heal properly and quite often recurs shortly after a golfer gets back to the course. Golfer elbow injury is very similar to tennis elbow, which tennis players equally dread.

It is the sort of injury where a doctor will prescribe total rest well away from the course. For many a keen golfer, this may be even more punishment than the nagging, and often sharp pain from the golfer elbow injury.

The reason why a golfer elbow injury takes so long to heal and in some cases may never really go away, is because it is the sort of injury that involves a joint. Usually injuries on joints are troublesome. One of the reasons is that it is difficult to rest a joint completely and one ends up using the muscles whenever they make any slight movement.

Therefore any advice or tips to help reduce the risk of golfer elbow is extremely important to any golfer.

Stretch exercises designed for golf specific muscles or muscles that are used while playing golf can help a great deal in strengthening and conditioning the muscles involved. By strengthening golf specific muscles a golfer ends up putting much less pressure on the tendons that join the muscles to the bones around the elbow area. This greatly reduces the risk of this injury in golfers.

Warm up exercises before getting into a round of golf and a warm down as well, at the end of your game, also help tremendously in reducing the risk of golfer elbow injury. Warm ups ensure that the pressures involved in playing the game are not exerted on cold muscles, which usually dramatically increases the chances of all sorts of injury and not just the golf elbow injury.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Visit his new target="_new" href="http://www.performbettergolf.com/">golf fitness training site at Perform Better Golf.

Getting involved with such an exciting sport like paintball really gets the motivation going. Once exposed to the activity, players want to start buying all the paintball equipment they possibly can.

It is wonderful that so many people are getting involved with paintball. The sport has grown in popularity so much that it is now played in over forty countries. International competitions are now taking place every year and professional paintball leagues have been around for a number of years.

Paintball equipment can be expensive to buy. A novice to the game really needs to consider all the options with paintball gear. Paintball guns, or markers, range in price from $100 to $1700. Much of the other gear shares the same discrepancy in cost. In paintball, you do really get what you pay for. In many cases, your level of playing may not be worth an extra couple hundred dollars.

The Whole Ball of Paint

One of the best ways to begin your paintball career is with equipment packages. Retail stores on the street and on the web put together special package deals for first time equipment buyers. There are two different ways the retailers will do this. The first way is with a selected marker, mask, and air tank.

The next, and preferred, paintball package deal allows you to choose the marker and then pay a set price to get the rest of the basic equipment. There are all sorts of packages available, but that gives you a good idea. Any paintball field requires a barrel plug, mask and goggles so you’ll be ready to play.

Upgrading Equipment Takes Time

When you’ve been playing for some time, it is tempting to upgrade equipment. Playing against all the other competitors, you’ll see all the fancy gear they are carrying around. It is only natural that your paintball gear be just as cool as theirs.

If you are ready for new equipment, talk to those around the field and practice range. The other players will let you try their equipment on for size. Taking it for a test drive will allow you to get to know it before buying more. Use the resources that are available, and then make a decision based on the good information.

Unlimited equipment and supplies upgrades are available for just about every paintball marker on the market. Picking and choosing wisely is the key to getting the most out of the equipment. Buying equipment just because it is new might be waste of time and money. Make sure that the gear is solid before spending good cash on it.

Without a doubt, much of the paintball gear and equipment is why we play the game. Just be sure to get the right equipment to help your game. Check out reviews online and talk to the experts and you’ll get it right. Read more about the gear:

Robb Ksiazek is an author and publisher for Paintball-Guns-Equipment-n-Gear.com. He strives to inform paintball enthusiasts on the latest in markers, gear, and equipment to play the game with the best supplies available.

According to reports Lance Armstrong is seriously considering coming out of retirement to race in the Tour De France and Try and win it for an eighth time. These reports say Lance is so disturbed by the attacks on him from the French Media about Steroid use that he wants to race and win one more time.

I hope Lance Armstrong does come out of his short lived retirement and win an Eighth straight Tour De France. As a proud American I do take great pride in having this Cancer Surviving American beating the best in the world in what may be the most grueling athletic event ever.

Lance Armstrong do it right. Make sure that after you do win that 8th straight Tour De France that there can be no doubt in anyones mind that you used steroids. Lance you need to be ready willing and able to go above any testing standards that currently exist today.

Lance you need to agree to be tested by an Independent Testing agency jointly approved by the French press and officials from Team Discovery. You need to agree to random tests anytime anywhere from this Independent Testing agency. You need to allow this Independent Testing agency to publish the results of every single test.

Lance when you do win this 8th straight Tour De France at an age when athletes in other sports have long since been sent to the retired Athletes home, with strict verifiable, public testing. You are indeed proving to the world you don’t need no stinking needles to be a Winner.

About the Author
Mike Makler Offers Financial Services (Mortgages,Life Insurance, Annuity) in Florissant Missouri which is in North St. Louis County Missouri Just Across the Bridge from St. Charles Missouri

Call Mike at 314 398-5547

Visit Mike’s Web Page:
http://ewguru.com/finance

For Missouri Specific Insurance and Loan Questions:
http://ewguru.com/Mo-Finance

Get Mike’s Newsletter Here
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Copyright © 2005-2006 Mike Makler

From the time small children are old enough to hold a baseball bat many have longed to be part of the great American pastime. Baseball bats have been around ever since the game was created and there are baseball museums that have collections of baseball bats owned and used by famous players.

When kids first start to play the game of baseball they use a plastic bat. There are plastic baseball bats made today for the youngest of ballplayers and some even have baseball teams or players names on them.

As children get older and more serious about the game they find there are choices to be made about which bat to buy. Baseball bats come in many widths, lengths and materials. A heavier bat gives the ball more momentum but a heavier bat also means a less speedy swing. Bats that are made from graphite or aluminum hit balls farther than baseball bats made from wood.

Players endorse baseball bats and many have their names on them. Baseball team logos are also represented on baseball bats.

When aluminum bats were first introduced in the 1970’s, batting averages rose 30 points and home run hits doubled. In the Major Leagues batters now use wooden bats instead of baseball bats made from lighter materials. They could change to the baseball bats made from aluminum or a lighter material but it would significantly change the home runs hit today and the traditional records and baseball legends would not seem as important.

If you are wanting to buy a baseball bat consider who will be using it. Age and which league you are playing in is also a deciding factor. Little League bats can’t be more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter or more than 33 inches long for instance. Adult leagues have rules about baseball bats also.

Speed and control are the most crucial factors to consider when buying a baseball bat. Check the weight of the bat, if it’s too heavy it won’t work for you. When checking the grip, your fingertips should meet when closed around the handle.

You can buy a small wooden baseball bat for $10-$20. An aluminum bat will cost between $20-$200 or more but it won’t chip or peel and the balance and weight will remain constant.

There are thousands of baseball bats to choose from. Talk to an expert who can help you decide which is the perfect baseball bat for you.

Ken Austin
Baseball Gear and Equipment
Roses and Rose Gardening

Golf specific exercises are part and parcel of the modern day golf game. Yet many people associate golf specific exercises with exercises used in other sports and by other athletes involved in more rigorous sporting activities.

For example many golfers look down on golf specific exercises that involve lifting weights. The fear that they will develop muscles which will tend to make them stiff and less flexible in their golf game. Everybody knows that flexibility is very important in golf.

Yet the truth of the matter is that golf specific weight exercises have nothing to do with building muscles like a weight lifter. This is because lighter weights are used and the lifting action is repeated more times. The effect of this is to build strength and not muscles.

Strength in muscles has a remarkable effect on the quality of a golf game, especially when the muscles targeted are all “golf muscles”.

The other wrong image people often have about golf specific exercises is that there are as rigorous and as demanding as the sort of exercises one would find in a marine corps training program.

This cannot be further from the truth, especially when some of the golf specific stretch exercises can be done from the comfort of the office or the home. Some can even be effectively carried out on your chair in the office, without you having to get up from your chair. Stretch exercises are some of the most important and critical golf specific exercises. It is important to warm up before this exercises and also after you game of golf.

Again these warm up exercises need not be as difficult as you probably imagine. It can be simply a brisk walk from your car to the course.

Achieving a good enjoyable game of golf these days has become very difficult without the help of golf specific exercises.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Visit his new golf fitness - golf training site at Perform Better Golf.