2013年12月20日星期五

有村智恵、1ラウンドで予選落ちも実戦で大きな収穫




2012年03月31日15時50分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 服部 真夕 -3
2 井芹 美保子 0
N・キャンベル 0
イ・ボミ 0
上原 彩子 0
茂木 宏美 0
7 永井 奈都 +1
福田 裕子 +1
キム・ソヒ +1
諸見里 しのぶ +1


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復帰戦は予選落ちとなったものの手ごたえも覚えた(撮影:ALBA)






ヤマハレディースオープン葛城 2日目◇31日◇葛城ゴルフ倶楽部(6,587ヤード・パー72)>

 静岡県にある葛城ゴルフ倶楽部で開催されている「ヤマハレディースオープン葛城」の2日目は、降雨によりコースコンディションの回復が見込めないため中止となった。規定により初日のスコアで予選カットが行われ、6オーバー62位タイまでの選手が決勝ラウンドに進出。左手首のケガによる調整遅れのため、今大会がシーズン初戦となった有村智恵は初日8オーバー87位タイで予選落ちとなった。

有村智恵のフォトギャラリー

 有村はこの日INコースからスタートはしたものの、10番グリーン上に水が浮いていたためロールドライを要請したところで雨が強まり中断。少しの間その場で再開を待ったが、雨が弱まることはなくクラブハウスに引き揚げた。中断中は再開を待つファンのためにサイン会を実施するなどして待機していたが、中止となったことで復帰戦は1ラウンドで幕を閉じた。

 第2ラウンドを戦わずして予選落ちとなってしまった有村だが、「昨日の成績がすべてだったと思いますね。3年前の全英とか、去年の全米女子プロとか叩いてしまうことがある。でもそのおかげで強くなれているともうので、またイチからやり直すしかないですね」と納得した様子でコメント。そして、たった1ラウンドながら実戦で得たものも大きかった。

 「昨日1日ですけどやってみて、どう打っていこうとかいうよりも手首の怖さが敵だと改めて気づきましたね。この恐怖心は練習だとなかなかとれない。試合でいかに勇気を持ってやっていくか」。自分が出来る限りの練習をしてきた自負はあるものの、実戦での感じるケガへの恐怖心は別物。それを克服していくには試合を重ねていくしかないと感じ取れただけでも大きな収穫だ。

 「悔しさも沢山ありますが、今の悔しさは私の中ではいい悔しさ。これを乗り越えることで今までよりも数段強くなれると思う」。1ラウンドで終えることとなってしまったものの、ようやくスタートラインには立てた。あとは目の前に開けた方向に向かって進んでいくのみだ。

2013年11月27日星期三

<中間速報>遼、大乱調…前半でスコア崩し通算7オーバー




2012年08月31日11時00分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 P・マークセン -5
キム・ヒョンソン -5
3 宮本 勝昌 -4
岩田 寛 -4
5 河野晃一郎 -3
6 谷原 秀人 -2
J・チョイ -2
イ・キョンフン -2
キム・キョンテ -2
武藤 俊憲 -2


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フジサンケイクラシック 2日目◇31日◇富士桜カントリー倶楽部(7,437ヤード・パー71)>

 国内男子ツアー「フジサンケイクラシック」の2日目。初日、63位タイと出遅れてしまったこの大会09年、10年覇者の石川遼。巻き返しを図りこの日のラウンドに臨んだが、“鬼門”の5番で初日と同じくダブルボギーとするとその後も3つスコアを落とす大乱調。トータル7オーバー暫定106位タイで後半のプレーに入った。

 現時点での首位はトータル5アンダーの宮本勝昌J・チョイ(米国)。1打差で薗田峻輔山下和宏らが追走している。

<速報>遼、後半巻き返すも3オーバーフィニッシュ、2週連続予選落ち危機




2012年08月31日13時23分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 P・マークセン -5
キム・ヒョンソン -5
3 宮本 勝昌 -4
岩田 寛 -4
5 河野晃一郎 -3
6 谷原 秀人 -2
J・チョイ -2
イ・キョンフン -2
キム・キョンテ -2
武藤 俊憲 -2


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フジサンケイクラシック 2日目◇31日◇富士桜カントリー倶楽部(7,437ヤード・パー71)>

 国内男子ツアー「フジサンケイクラシック」の2日目。初日2オーバー63位タイと出遅れた石川遼は前半の5番で初日に続きダブルボギーを叩くと、そこから3つのボギーを叩き7オーバーまでスコアを落として後半を迎える。

 後半は、1オンも狙える14番パー4で約30ヤードのセカンドを直接放り込みイーグルを奪取。さらに、15番、17番とバーディを奪いトータル3オーバーまでカムバックしたものの、ホールアウト時点でカットラインに入ることが出来ず、2週連続予選落ちの危機となっている。

 現時点でトータル4アンダーでホールアウトした宮本勝昌プラヤド・マークセン(タイ)、デービッド・スメイル(ニュージーランド)が首位タイ、トータル3アンダーの4位タイグループには河野晃一郎金庚泰(キム・キョンテ)(韓国)らがつけている。

<速報>P・マークセンと金亨成が首位に、遼は1打及ばず予選落ち




2012年08月31日17時57分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 P・マークセン -5
キム・ヒョンソン -5
3 宮本 勝昌 -4
岩田 寛 -4
5 河野晃一郎 -3
6 谷原 秀人 -2
J・チョイ -2
イ・キョンフン -2
キム・キョンテ -2
武藤 俊憲 -2


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フジサンケイクラシック 2日目◇31日◇富士桜カントリー倶楽部(7,437ヤード・パー71)>

 国内男子ツアー「フジサンケイクラシック」の2日目。先週の「VanaH杯KBCオーガスタ」でツアー初優勝を挙げた韓国の金亨成(キム・ヒョンソン)、タイのプラヤド・マークセンがトータル5アンダーで首位。1打差の3位タイには宮本勝昌岩田寛、2打差の5位には河野晃一郎がつけた。

 今大会を過去2度制している石川遼は初日出遅れると、この日もスコアを落としてしまいトータル3オーバーでホールアウト。カットラインに1打届かず、2週連続の予選落ちを喫した。池田勇太はトータル1オーバー36位タイ、藤本佳則はトータル2オーバー50位タイでギリギリ予選を突破した。

宮本勝昌は3位タイに後退「ゴルフって難しいですね」




2012年08月31日18時00分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 P・マークセン -5
キム・ヒョンソン -5
3 宮本 勝昌 -4
岩田 寛 -4
5 河野晃一郎 -3
6 谷原 秀人 -2
J・チョイ -2
イ・キョンフン -2
キム・キョンテ -2
武藤 俊憲 -2


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初日の勢いから一転、スコアを落として2日目を終えた宮本(撮影:米山聡明)







フジサンケイクラシック 2日目◇31日◇富士桜カントリー倶楽部(7,437ヤード・パー71)>

 山梨県にある富士桜カントリー倶楽部で開催されている、国内男子ツアー「フジサンケイクラシック」の2日目。単独首位でスタートした宮本勝昌は、スコアを2つ落としトータル4アンダーの3位タイに後退した。

【関連ニュース】単独首位の宮本勝昌「優勝して日本シリーズに出る」初日

 昨日“65”をマークした宮本も、この日は復調しかけたショットが思うようにコントロールできず、前半と後半で1つずつスコアを落としてホールアウト。「ゴルフって難しいですね、本当に…。なんでこんなに真っすぐいかないんだろう」と左右に散ったボールに首を傾げた。「ショットの影響がパットにも出て、ショートめショートめで。どうしてもラインの読みも、多めに見てしまって悪循環でしたね」と、この日はパットも強気に打つことができなった。

 「このコースは毎日アンダーが出るコースじゃないし、1つでも2つでも伸ばせればと思ってスタートしたけど…」と悔しさをにじませた宮本。それでも、「まぁ、良いんじゃないですかね。もう1回、ビッグスコアが出そうな雰囲気がないわけじゃないので、明日しっかり伸ばしたい」と決勝ラウンドへの意気込みを語った。

【2日目の順位】
1位T:プラヤド・マークセン(-5)
1位T:金亨成(キム・ヒョンソン)(-5)
3位T:宮本勝昌(-4)
3位T:岩田寛(-4)
5位:河野晃一郎(-3)
6位T:谷原秀人(-2)
6位T:J・チョイ(-2)
6位T:イ・キョンフン(-2)
6位T:金庚泰(-2)
6位T:武藤俊憲(-2)
6位T:細川和彦(-2)
6位T:手嶋多一(-2)

36位T:池田勇太(+1)他13名
50位T:藤本佳則(+2)他12名

2013年10月29日星期二

6 Easy Steps To Choosing a Golf Carry Bag

 Golf carry bags are lightweight and practical. The problem nowadays is there are so many different designs and extras to choose from. For a lot of people the first consideration will be price, but once you know your range then you need to look at the other features offered by the bag.

Follow these 6 steps and you will find the right bag for you:

1. Weight - This varies a lot, you can find bags as light as 3-4 lbs, but others can be very heavy. 18 holes is a long way to carry your clubs so make sure you do not pick a bag that is going to weigh you down.

2. Stability - A lot of carry bags now have an attached stand. This will obviously add weight, but it is a great feature as it makes it so much easier to get to your clubs and pockets. The width of the stand is important when the bag is at rest. The triangle formed needs to be wide for stability as a bag can easily be blown over in bad conditions.

3. Club Storage - Golf carry bags are smaller than trolley bags and it can be easy for your clubs to get tangled together when trying to take them in or out of the bag. Make sure that there are 4-5 dividers and at least 2 of them are full length dividers to prevent this happening.

4. Straps - Must carry bags now will come with dual straps which is essential to create balance when you are carrying. What you need to look for are easily adjustable straps so you do not have to fiddle about while on the course to adjust them.

5. Pockets / Storage - It is important to have enough storage pockets to avoid packing everything into one or two pockets and making them over bulky and akward to carry. Important pockets to look for are:

Small valuables pocket - preferably waterproof

Large pocket for storage of waterproofs, jumpers etc.

Beverage pocket - this needs to be easily accessible and insulated

Handy accessible pocket for your golf balls and tees

Somewhere to keep your scorecard

6. Extras - Other items that are required are:

Rain Hood that can be easily attached while on the course

A hook or similar to attach a towel to

Umbrella storage

Padding where the bag hits your body, particularly the lower back area

Once you have found a design that fits all your requirements you then just have to decide on color, do you want to stand out from the crowd or blend in?

2013年10月22日星期二

Airsoft Electric Rifle - G&G GR16 A2 Carbine Airsoft Rifle

The airsoft electric rifle is your front line of defense against your enemies. G&G Armament is becoming the front runners in precision and reliability when it comes to airsoft rifles.

The Gr16 A2 Carbine weighs in at just under 6 pounds, making this rifle exceptionally easy to carry around the battlefield for extended periods of time. The buttstock is adjustable, allowing you to adjust the length of the rifle from 30.75 inches to 34.75 inches. This makes this airsoft electric rifle a great starter for beginners as well as the avid enthusiast.

The high capacity magazine is capable of holding up to 450 rounds of ammunition. The front sight is adjustable for elevation and the rear sight is adjustable for elevation as well as windage. It incorporates an adjustable hop up system. This will allow you to adjust for the trajectory of the ammunition so you can really dial it in.

It fires in the fully automatic as well as the semi automatic modes. And speaking of firing, this airsoft rifle will fire the .2g ammunition at a velocity of 390 feet per second, extremely fast for an electric airsoft rifle. This makes for an accurate and hard hitting gun.

The receiver is full metal and the durable ABS plastic 6 position stock is an added feature. The 8mm ball bearing gear box makes this gun exceptionally reliable and precise.

The 25,000 round per minute high torque motor spews out the ammunition at incredible rates of fire. The battery and charger is not included. This is the case for the majority of the newer airsoft electric rifles available today. This allows you to customize the gun to best suit your needs.

If you are in the market for a hard hitting gun with impeccable firing accuracy along with an incredible shot velocity, then you need to check this one out. The precision along with the reliability of an oil-less firing system will give you years of high powered shots in the field of battle.

2013年10月16日星期三

Hunting Gear For The High Country

Being ready is not the same as being prepared! Taking what you need is worth the extra time to pack!

Hunting season to some is more than just going out for the trophy, it is also being in the company of like minded friends. A check list – binoculars, rifle scope mounting, rifle scope, rifle, ammo, sleeping bag, warm socks etc. The most important hunting gear you can take is getting your mind prepared. Yes the equipment is important, knowing your limits is more important. On the news yesterday some hunters needed to be rescued, yeah I know you are thinking bunch of guys had too much to drink and got lost. I guess a lot of times this is the case. In this case it was not being prepared. They went in to the high country and bad weather moved in. Fortunately they came out all right this is now always the case. I live in Colorado and the saying here is if you don’t like the weather now wait five minutes. It will change and that is not far from fact. In the summer you go hiking in the early morning and get off the mountains by 2 pm after that the chance of a storm with lighting is likely. In the winter it can be sunny, clear and warm one minute and then, blizzard conditions move in.

Binoculars, rifle scopes, range finders no matter how much they cost are going to get you out safely if you get stuck in the high country. You can have all the latest and greatest hunting gear available, but if you don’t have a plan, well you get the point. I remember a news story about some hunters that came from Chicago to Colorado to hunt in October, which can be a beautiful month. They went in to the high country near Glenwood Springs with a brand new Cadillac, went hunting in style. I remember the news cast they where lucky they did have most of the hunting gear they needed to keep warm, they just where not prepared. A big snow storm came in lasted a couple of days and left about 5 to 6 foot of snow. When it cleared a search and rescue went out for them, they where found and air lifted out, BUT the gentle mans Cadillac was in there until the spring thaw. Must have hurt to make payments on a new car that was frozen in the high country.

Being ready is not the same as being prepared! I like to scuba dive also and one thing that is always stressed is, have a dive plan and dive the plan. Now you can plan all you want but some times things do go wrong, but if you have the right plan you can minimize any problems that arise. The right hunting gear to take with you when hunting is a plan. Remember you have a loaded weapon, take your time know what you are aiming at. Have a great time come, home safe enjoy the outdoors and I hope you get your trophy or at the least some great stories.

2013年10月14日星期一

Yacht Broker - Selecting the Right One To Sell Your Yacht

How do I choose a yacht broker to sell my vessel? How do I come across the correct yacht broker to sell my yacht? These are questions that you as a vessel owner might ask when it is time to sell your boat. In my transactions with sellers, I find that most, if not all of them had no idea when deciding on the brokerage to represent them. Their preference was made arbitrarily it seems. When you are ready, you need to find a decent yacht brokerage that you can trust. Some of the points that you should ponder are honesty, value and ability.

A yacht is a huge expenditure and numerous people prefer to buy one from a yacht brokerage. A brokerage sells boats to interested parties for a commission. Clearly, before you consider which one to go with when selling, you will need to be familiar with the commission amount that they charge; it is a standard 10% in the business.

Obviously, you want to look for honesty in a yacht broker. No one desires to do business with a dishonest person in any manner, but some people are extremely dishonest without seeming to be. Investigate the history of the brokerage and ensure that there are no complaints filed against them. The brokerage should be competent when it comes to knowing how to price your yacht. Your yacht brokerage should have a good feel of the market and how much to value your boat.

Always look for skill in a yacht brokerage. They should have been in the industry for some time. The longer, the better, clearly as this indicates they're able to stay in business. They will not only have the ability to sell your boat at a decent price, but also have the ability to come across the perfect yacht if you are looking to acquire another one from a broker.

In order to find the top yacht brokerage, you must shop around. Speak to several people until you get at ease with one. Request and call up references. Never do business with a brokerage that is assertive or insists that you sign a contract that you do not comprehend. These legal documents are binding. If you do not understand the listing agreement, seek legal counsel. In addition remember that buying a vessel is similar to purchasing a home. You will want to screen the organization as you would a home brokerage firm.

Here are some questions to pose while searching for the best yacht brokerage. Use this list to establish which Broker is best for you. I have included my answers to each question.

Do you co-broke with other Brokers who might have a buyer that could purchase my boat? Can I obtain it in writing? It is in our listing agreement; we constantly co-broke with other Brokers. If you cannot get it in writing the broker is more worried about his commission; you could potentially lose out on a deal.

How accessible are you going to be to me, buyers and other Brokers? We make phone calls regularly to other Brokers and wait to hear back from them. My Blackberry and laptop are at all times on; you can contact me if you need to; buyers can too!

Shopping ATV Tires

There is nothing as fun as having an ATV. Still, many ATV owners do not realize the value of the sort of ATV tires that are on their fun toy, and that tires can increase outdoor experiences or ruin them.

For example, in case you plan to take your ATV? Want to travel inside desert or during the mud? There's a difference in ATV tires, which are made for quite a few forms of off-road, and feel it or not, aren't the same. Many well-known tire manufacturers ATV tires, for example Goodyear, Firestone and Bridgestone, between many others. Some are cheap, while others may perhaps eat part in this kind of big budget entertainment. However, finding the right tire to your needs takes a modest time and research.

Goodyear creates a excellent ATV tire known as the Goodyear Tracker Mud Runner ATV for fun within the mud, while the Maxxis tires produces tires for ones race iRazr. To clear space inside your pleasure-mobile, specially if you're off-road in rocky environments, the Lifter up of the tire that is right up your alley, called Outlaw.

Have fun with your ATV techniques how the equipment for their needs, and though most ATV tires remained pretty well in most environments, if you are serious about off-road driving, you need to pay the buy tires right for a variety of varieties of terrain.

Most ATV owners begin converting their machines nearly just before they are able to park from the garage following purchase, and whilst numerous men and women start off parts and components, motor control, intelligent, ATV owner will begin with tires. After all, if your tires aren't right for your specific field you are riding no matter how numerous horses have.

Security is also an important issue, given the ATV tires, and it's crucial to understand the sort of surface you intend to drive, and that's driving the car. Are you going to ride over a soft ground or mud or even snow? Are you going to stick on the ground, or you intend to participate in hill climbing or competitions that need multi-terrain obstacles?

Make certain that whatever kind of tire, or set of ATV tires that you just purchase for your machine fits rims properly. Make sure the tire width you desire will fit the rim, mainly because if your tires are as well narrow, it's going to come off the edge and be dangerous to your riders. Given the sort of ground clearance you would like is something to appear like sculpture.

Riding your ATV can also be fun, but it is also serious business, security and protection of riders need to be your very first priority. If you are not familiar in your bike, find somebody who can offer clues and tips to assist you to purchase what you need. Previous to commencing the engine souping, ensure that the ATV tires on your machine is more than enough to your needs.

2013年10月13日星期日

Mustang Sailing Supports Volunteers With Free Vhf Radio Courses

Mustang Sailing, one of the UK's top RYA recognised sailing schools, is showing its support for local National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) volunteers by offering free theory courses on VHF/DSC marine radio operation.

Since 2006, the East Sussex-based RYA practical and theory sailing course specialist has provided free VHF Radio training for local NCI volunteers. Following the recent announcement of further cuts to the safety at sea services, Mustang Sailing is urging more volunteers to take advantage of the course.

Principal at Mustang Sailing, Paul Stringer, said: "With the proposed closure of more than half of the UK's 18 24-hour coastguard centres and cancellation of the Emergency Towing Vessel service, the pressure on the NCI to recruit and train more volunteers to open more stations has significantly increased. I wanted to be able to reward their hard work with some of the valuable training they will inevitably need."

The free one day course on VHF/DSC marine radio operation will provide volunteers with an essential Short Range Certificate (SRC), the minimum qualification required by law to operate a VHF radio fitted with DSC, and enable them to achieve 'Declared Facility Status'. This is an essential part of allowing the charity organisation to communicate with sea going vessels, the HM Coastguard and RNLI and therefore play a full and active role in ensuring sea safety.

Over the past five years, many volunteers from NCI Newhaven have already completed a course courtesy of Mustang Sailing. Watchkeeper, Neil Tourle, said, "As we are a voluntary organisation with limited funds available, we really appreciate the help we get from people like Paul at Mustang Sailing. The free training he provides is more important than ever in the current climate and vital to NCI Newhaven's successful operation."

Since 1994, NCI has opened more than 40 fully operational stations, manned by over 1,700 volunteers, eight of which are located throughout the South East. NCI watchkeepers work closely with the HM Coastguard and RNLI and are trained to 'spot, plot and report' a casualty.

Football in Ghana

Football is a great game full of passion. It is believed to be the sport with the highest number of supporters. Football’s history dates back as far as the 13th century. Many legends of the game have come and gone with many countries using football as a medium for developments.

One of the best football nations in Africa is Ghana. Currently, Ghana is ranked number 15th on the FIFA best countries in the world list and the first in Africa. The passion and love for the game in Ghana is overwhelming. It’s the game with the largest supporters in Ghana. It has never been always rosy for Ghana football. The supporters had to go through the hard ordeal of seeing their country lose trophy after trophy and match after match. But Ghana has done herself proud boasting of some of the best footballers on the continent and winning so many prestigious trophies on the continent and on the world stage.

The authorities in charge of Ghana football is the Ghana football association. The association is solely responsible for football matters in country. The Ghana national teams consist of both the men’s and women’s football. The seniors of the men’s football are called Black Stars and the female’s Black Queens. Ghana also has all the other junior level of football permitted by FIFA.

The top flight football in Ghana is the Ghana premier league, followed by the division one, division two and the regional colts’ league. The Ghana premier league boasts of two of the best clubs on the continent namely Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak. The game can never be lovely without its numerous supporters. The support base for football in Ghana is over 70% of the country’s population. On match days, these Ghana football fans come from every length and breadth of the country to cheer their team up. Amidst drumming, chanting and singing, these supporters will cheer their team all day long. The chants and songs are mostly Ghana music.

Ghana will forever be a great football nation. She will continue be a massive force in the game both on the continent and world stage. But there is more room for improvement for Ghana football especially on the local scene.

2013年10月10日星期四

Make Full Use Of Backyard Woodwork Plans For They Are Really Proven and Budget friendly

Do you want to applying backyard woodwork plans? By having a good carpentry plan before starting is a must. These plans will give you an overview of the entire project. You will also get the benefit of knowing all of the tools you will need, materials and step by step constructing guide before you start your DIY woodwork project.

Once I have finished using my last backyard woodwork plans, right here is the product over view of the method and ideas that you are going to receive:

1. It is essential you should decide your objective of your project before you start, then you could fit the right carpentry plans for your project.

2. For different projects, you will typically use other backyard woodwork plans. Most of the plans will tell you to work with other sorts of tools and items. Every tool and item list you will get will contain different things for your project.

3. The carpentry plans include very impotent information regarding achieving any project goal. The volume of items needed, the time you will need to spend building, and the estimated costs of materials and the specific tools list you will need to use building your woodwork project with the backyard woodwork plans.

4. In the backyard woodwork plans, you'll receive a collection of sketches from the whole process. Many will be a brief sketch for one general overview, and the other will include the exact size and dimension of the parts necessary for the project. Shopping for the materials and parts will be the next step after reading carefully the instruction.

5. Information concerning the different alternatives you have when selecting the wooden materials. Backyard woodwork plans will teach you the basic factors to consider for choosing the right materials, for example: the reasonable price, high quality and attractive.

6. While using the right tools for the project is an important factor for achieving success. High quality tools will help make the process easier and effective. However, their price should be within your budget. Advice, first look in your backyard or garage for old unused tools you probably bought during the years, they will save you money. All you need to do is check their condition. They may need some sharpening and oiling. However, using old tools that aren't at a good condition can be dangerous to you and to the materials you have purchased.

7. Once you have everything in hand you may start working on your project. The in depth backyard woodwork plans will be your guide. It's going to keep you from coming with different things than you've planned. Keep following them as much as possible

After you have finished creating the wooden material you will have finishing instruction. They'll show you to the proper finishing materials so the projects which were made with your backyard woodwork plans will be elegant and often will last for a long period of time

Sports Domes: Past, Present and Future

Sports domes are catching on rapidly in our day and age. Read all about them here, from their history to their likely future.

** The Beginning of Sports Domes **

Although playing sports in the mud, rain, sleet, rain or in intense heat and sunlight, it can be quite a spectacle for TV observers in their nice, warm, dry, comfortable living rooms, but it can be quite another story for athletes and spectators braving the elements in their cold, metal seats and whatever jackets/coats, hats, gloves, etc. they remembered to bring with them, if they brought anything at all above the usual sport attire (face paint, sports t-shirts, etc.). And sports uniforms not designed for cold, wet weather aren’t much help for those athletes who sometimes stand still or in a puddle.

Then someone came up with the really good idea to house sporting events inside a temporary (i.e. easy to set up and take down at any time) structure to protect the players and audience without breaking the bank like a permanent structure might, or damaging the environment like a brick and mortar building might.

Soccer (European football) was one of the first sports played inside sports domes, with unlimited length restrictions and huge 1,000 foot width restrictions. And many other sports are catching on now as well. It is an exciting time for sports fans, both players and fans.

** How Air Domes Work **

Air domes (or Bubble structures) are kept "inflated" for maximum interior space and minimum obstructions from supporting columns by maintaining positive air pressure. That way, air is constantly pushing on the walls from within, keeping the structure inflated and also full of air that can be fresh, recycled, air conditioned or heated, or any combination.

Sports domes can also be not only portable, but also custom made to suit virtually any venue such as:

- Music concerts
- Riding arenas
- Sporting events (soccer, golf, baseball, tennis, volleyball, etc.)
- Entertainment venues
- Religious events
- Or almost any other possible venue (use your imagination, and don’t let anyone say it can’t be done!)

Size is also almost no limit, with some air domes in Russia as large as three football fields used or church services. And there are plans to build domes that will be large enough to cover an entire golf course! That’s really big! And why not go even larger? As technology improves, and popularity and demand increase, sports domes will continue to get even larger and larger to satisfy such demands and inspire even more creativity to continue to push the technological envelope still more and more.

** How Air Domes Are Put Together **

Usually, sports domes are constructed from one piece in a matter of a mere few days at a site that has been prepared beforehand. Before you know it, you’ll be filling your sports domes with hundreds, or perhaps even thousands, of paying and/or happy spectators.

Inflatable Sports Domes are perfect for nearly any outdoor activity where you desire a controlled environment indoors.

** Advantages of Sports Domes Over Other Methods **

Sports domes are much faster to set up and more effective than laying tarps. But it took a while for them to really catch in technologically. But now they are becoming more popular all over the world. Some sports domes don’t even require airlocks anymore, removing the need to take great care to open the tent large doors without the possibility of collapsing the tents due to an inability to keep the airflow up to its required level. High-volume fans can keep the air flow up to par while loading doors are wide open.

And air domes can also save electricity for lights, being translucent to allow sunlight into the otherwise dark or artificially lit environment. New technological advances will also continue to make sports domes a better and better idea as time goes on.

** The Best of Both Worlds **

Some sports domes are now being combined with traditional brick and mortar buildings in the twenty first century, making a building that has unique and attractive features, having benefits of both types of structures and flexibility/adaptability of the two very different design types. Plus, it can be a real eye catcher and attractor for many visitors.

2013年10月8日星期二

Use These Tips For Golf To Improve Your Skills

Playing golf requires patience. Getting a perfect shot at the golf ball requires the mind and body to be in perfect synchronization. Reaching this level requires practice, with players getting better with each shot. If you would like to be a better golf player, then follow the tips in this article.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to consider changing your practice environment. This can be helpful because sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery for you to either notice a way to improve your game or get yourself out of a rut. Even if you have to travel farther, it may just be worth it.

Buy your golf clubs from a reputable professional sports shop. The staff in the shop will be able to give you expert advice about which golf clubs will be best for your game and your frame. If you buy golf clubs online instead, you will not be able to hold the clubs before you buy then and returning the clubs could be expensive, if you have to pay the shipping charges.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to make sure that you do not even attempt to play a round of golf on a course until you are at least competent at hitting the ball. This is important because you will save yourself much frustration and embarrassment by doing so.

If you are faced with a bunker shot from wet, packed sand, and you are close to the green, consider forgoing your sand wedge for one with a higher loft. Using a lob wedge or other aggressively angled club will allow you a better chance to slice through the wet bunker and land your shot safely on the green.

Good golf shoes can be a major investment, so take good care of them. Don't just toss them in the bottom of your closet all muddy and expect to whip them into shape for your next round. Clean your golf shoes before putting them away, and be sure to store them with shoe trees to help them maintain their shape.

It is absolutely vital that each golfer understands the basic water hazard rules before heading out onto the course. Knowing how you play after you hit into a water hazard marked by yellow stakes (regular water hazard) or red stakes (lateral water hazard) can make a huge difference in your final score.

If you need to make a longer than normal bunker shot, try taking a nine iron instead of a sand wedge. By taking a nine iron you increase the distance you are able to carry the ball out of the sand and decrease the likelihood that you will skull the ball by taking a sand wedge and swinging too hard.

Many golfers complain about hooking their shots. This is due to a closed club face, and when hit the ball goes to the left. It takes practice, but in order to stop hooking your shots, open up the club face and try to pay extra attention to connecting with the ball properly.

When you step up to address the ball, imagine the exact location where you want it to land. Visualization can help you get the ball where you want it to go. Once you have a clear picture in your mind's eye, step up, assume your stance and address the ball.

In conclusion, in order to play golf well, you must have patience. The mind and body must be in perfect sync to land the perfect shot. This level of synchronization and better play can only be reached with practice. By following the tips in this article, you can be a better golfer.

How To Perfect Your Skill In Playing Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a fast moving sport, and it is also fast growing. If you or someone you know yearns to learn how to play lacrosse, the following procedures briefs you on the basics of this sport. But first, let us take a good short look about lacrosse.

Each opposing teams on a lacrosse field is composed of 10 players, so a field has a total of 20 players. Each team is composed of 3 attackmen, 3 middies, 3 defensemen and 1 goalie.
A game is divided into 4 quarters like basketball, and like all other games, the team scoring the most points at the end of the game emerge as winner.

A player earns a score by shooting the ball from their stick’s pocket into the opponent team’s goal.
The lacrosse ball is a solid rubber ball about the size of a baseball.
An opponent team can dispossess you of your ball either by hitting you with their stick or with their body. A player has to cradle to prevent the ball from falling out.
It is important that a middie make an outside shooting. The defense can shift their game completely if threatened by a good outside shooting.
A player who has the ball can get past the defenseman by using different dodges such as face doge, split dodge, and bull dodge.

The procedures below outlines step by step the proper way of playing lacrosse.

CHOOSING YOUR STICK. A branded lacrosse stick is quite expensive. If you just want to learn how to play, go to your local sports store, where a basic stick won’t cost you as much as a branded stick. There are three main components of a stick. The Head- this is the piece at the top of the stick used for controlling the ball. The Mesh- this is the rope suff inside the head, also known as the stringing. Finally, The Shaft- it was traditionally made out of wood, but nowadays they are made of strong metal alloys and have varying weights and strength. If your right hand is your good hand, put your left hand on the bottom and right hand on top. Switch for your left hand.

LEARN HOW TO CRADLE. A necessary skill that is important to lacrosse is cradling, which is the equivalent of dribbling in basketball. Cradling is the technique of getting past the defense man without him taking the ball out of your stick. Use centripetal force to keep your ball in place by a curling motion with your wrist. This is best done in front of a mirror while starting. Place the ball in your pocket (the area where the ball sits in your mesh) and hold your dominant hand a few inches below the head. Begin with the head facing the mirror so you can see the ball. Now bring the head across your face while curling the wrist. Keep practicing until you are get used to it. If you find it hard to get the hang of it, try watching some lacrosse dvds until you are familiar with all the game’s moves and techniques.

LEARN TO PASS. In lacrosse, passing is one of the most critical skills to succeed in the game. Passing is used to move the ball up field, catch your opponent out of position while hitting your teammate for an assist, or get yourself out of pressure. Make the head next to your ear and ruffle your wrist of your top while pulling your bottom hand towards you. Don't let it hook around your neck. Be sure to go through with the motion. Eventually, you will get used to how your stick throws and can then adjust the way you throw to be more accurate. You can imp[rove your skills in lacrosse by is getting to a brick wall and playing "wall ball." stand a few feet from the wall and throw the ball against it. Practice catching as the ball bounces back towards you.

BE A GOOD CATCHER. Catching is about hand-eye coordination. Catch the ball in your stick and make sure you don't cradle as it enters your stick. This is called cradle catching and is done by beginners. Instead of cradling, just release your grip on your top hand and as the ball enters the stick give and ease the ball into the stick. Again, wall ball practice is recommended.

GAMES ARE WON AND LOST IN GROUND BALLS, that's a fact. While approaching the ball step to it place your foot near the ball. Sink your hips and put your head parallel to the ground. The butt of your stick have to get down low as well. Scoop through and bring the head to your face. Immediately look for an outlet to a team mate.

PASS, CATCH. AND CRADLE USING BOTH HANDS. Using both hands requires patience, and you have to practice over and over again to learn this skill. A good way to improve your off-hand skills is to look at what your dominant hand is doing. Mirror the way you are passing. Go through the same motions. After doing this, spend a week of practice using nothing but your non-dominant hand. During line drills, 6v6, fast break, only use your off-hand. This will be very frustrating, but keep doing it. It will go a long way in improving your skills.

Rubio surfboards guide on How To pick the perfect paddleboard beginner guide

Some surfers have the saying "you cant pick out your board, your board has to pick you" in some ways they are right but I have a way to help you keep money in your pocket from making those costly mistake of picking the wrong board. Paddleboards are simple but there are a few things you have to ask yourself first!! Am I going to be on a lake? Am I going to be doing long distances? Am I going to be surfing? If so what type of wave? Are you going to want to race? Or are you that woman or man that just going out to relax and play on the water while getting a good whole body exercise. Stand up paddle boarding is not only a individual sport but a family bonding experience from the lakes to the oceans, it’s a way of bringing families together to have a good time without spending much money. So let’s get back to matter at hand what type of board is good for you?? If you are just starting I created a chart for you check it out. Make sure you do not under size your board!!!! Study the dimensions of the boards you're considering and make sure you don't go too small. The general rule is that once you're up to paddling speed you don't want the tail to drag. Stepping slightly forward will smooth-out the water release at the tail but if the board is too small your nose will dig in. Both Men and Women, young and old, have different wants and needs when it comes to buying their very own stand up paddle board (SUP). In order to ensure that the board you purchase matches all of your specific needs, you should understand and follow these three tips: Size the paddleboard for your weight! Size the paddleboard based on the water conditions! Size for your own convenience! Paddle boarding offers an amazing full body workout and is becoming a favorite cross-training activity for skiers, snowboarders and other athletes. And since you're standing at your full height, you'll enjoy excellent views of everything from sea creatures to what's on the horizon. It's almost like walking on water!

2013年9月29日星期日

Useful Tips And Techniques For Online Shopping

Online shopping gives you the ease of having a very large selection of items at your fingertips. You're able to shop for virtually anything online from your home. Since your buying options are so vast, it is important you know the best way to go about using this to your best advantage. Read on for more useful tips.

Never try to shop directly from a link someone sent you in an email, unless it's a widely known and respected site, like. Too many consumers get tricked into scams via hyperlinks in questionable emails. Visit the URL of the site mentioned in the mail, instead of clicking the link itself.

If you are thinking about buying from a company that you have not done business with before, look up customer reviews online. This generally gives you a better idea of services and goods you should expect. If you see a lot of bad reviews, think about shopping with another merchant.

Read customer testimonials before you buy anything. People are more than happy to complain about bad service online, so look for sites and testimonials that are terrible so that you know what you're getting into. You should take bad reviews with a grain of salt, but if you see many, you know there is a problem.

Before purchasing a product online, find out more about shipping. If you do not find any information about shipping costs, contact the seller to find out if there are additional charges for shipping. If there are several shipping options, choose an affordable and reliable option to make sure you receive your product quickly.

When shopping online, choose the best shipping policy. Many times companies offer expedited shipping. However, many times getting the product one day earlier can cost you as much as twice the normal shipping price. Therefore, if you can wait on the product to arrive using normal shipping instead of expedited shipping, choose standard shipping to save money.

When you're shopping online you have to be sure that you know who you're buying from. If you're buying on an online auction site, only buy from people that have positive feedback. On other sites look to see if they are a reputable company by looking for reviews on them online.

To protect yourself use a credit card when shopping online. The federal government has passed laws to protect consumers in the event of fraud. The amount the consumer is responsible for is a mere $50.00 as compared to debit cards where the entire balance can be withdrawn by internet hackers.

Lots of online stores give discounts to those using coupon codes. You can find coupon codes for your favorite retailers by entering "coupon code" and the retailer's name in the search engine box. You could get anything from no-cost shipping to a discount percentage dependent on what is being offered at the time, so it is well worth the time spent searching.

Save money with major online retailers by locating coupons and deals on deal sites. Getting an account and logging on frequently to money saving sites like can give you access to redeemable online codes for major online retailers and even printable coupons for physical locations. Try keeping an eye on these sites around the beginning and end of the month for some of the best online coupons.

If you followed a link from an email an online store sent you, pay attention to the URL. Some scammers send fake emails that look just like what a popular email store would send except that the URL is slightly different. Make sure you received an email from an official address and check the URL of the link you followed.

You can save a lot while shopping online if you order all the products you need at once. Most online stores will ship your items together and only charge you once for shipping. Some stores will even offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount. It is sometimes more interesting to purchase an additional item instead of paying for shipping.

Buying things online is a lot less expensive than buying them at a physical store. It's important to learn where you should look and really how to take advantage of the deals. In this article, we shared some great tips about saving money by shopping online. Use this information to your advantage.

Improve soccer skills with soccer passing drills

If you want to improve your game and practice soccer passing drills individually, then you’ve come to the perfect place. Many soccer players like to train alone on their free time, to learn new techniques and become better players. Soccer Positions are important, but when it comes to passing skills, everyone has to master various types of passes and work on their strengths and weaknesses.

Whether they are beginners or experienced players, they all enjoy one-on-one training programs that can help them increase their soccer skills. Although team training it’s essential for the whole group, sometimes players consider that their conventional soccer practice is not enough and start practicing on their own. Working on their passing techniques can bring them great benefits, but before they start their new training they must make sure they use correct and effective soccer passing drills.

Fortunately, these days they can take advantage of the power of the internet and find valuable and useful resources online. Kicking the ball back and forth is not enough to improve their passing skills, they must learn how to control the ball and search for quality exercises. With a few clicks and a serious research they will find lots of reputable and reliable websites providing professional help and expert guidance for soccer players.

Everything they ever wanted to know about rules or strategies, Soccer Positions or soccer skills is out there in the online. They don’t have to waste their time searching for materials and manuals in bookstores or at the library, they can find quality tips, effective video training programs and exercises with a simple search on the World Wide Web. As long as they have internet connection they have access to unlimited amounts of information and they can find the best training strategy for their personal needs and tastes.

No matter if you play as a defender, a midfielder or attacker, you should consider practicing soccer passing drills on your own. You will learn how to concentrate and manipulate the ball, how to make your drills more effective and become a quality, top player. Practice makes it perfect, so don’t hesitate to develop your soccer skills, practice every day and search online for drills, tips and tricks.

Training after hours can be of real help, just have a look at all the famous soccer players, they all practice on their own and that’s what make them such great players. Training on yourself can be your key to success, there are lots of effective training techniques and methods available out there, analyze and compare the best of them and choose whatever suits your tastes.

When You Want To Learn About Hobbies, Read This

There are so many ways to find the perfect hobby for you, but it can be hard knowing where to begin. In order to stick to a hobby, you need to find something that interests you. Where should you start? The article below is full of great ideas to put your mind at rest.

Get into music as a hobby. First, decide what instrument you want to play. You can then do your practice with a friend, or use online resources to help teach you. Take it slowly, practice when possible and you will be amazed by the results.

Chat with others that share your hobbies. After all, not everybody is going to have the same interests as you. When friends and family are tired of hearing about your hobby - meet new people who share your interest. Support groups and online forums can be joined to socialize with people that enjoy the same things you do.

Talk to others who share your hobby. Everyone won't enjoy what you enjoy, you know. When your friends and family get tired of hearing about your hobby, meet new people! Join forums and neighborhood support groups geared for like-minded people.

Hiking can be a terrific pastime for enjoying nature and maintaining fitness. New paths to explore and the wonders of Mother Nature will keep your hobby interesting. Pack a picnic lunch, call a friend and hike until you find a scenic spot for lunch.

Go outside and take up gardening. While some people hate to garden, others love it. Just plant some seeds in the rich brown earth and reap your harvest a few months later. You can save money on food while enjoying using your green thumbs under the sun.

Sewing is a hobby that is quite enjoyable for many. A hobby like this is great for making home items like pillows, curtains, quilts and even great clothing items. Sewing is loved by countless individuals.

Never feel guilt about spending time on a hobby, as long as the time is balanced out with the important things in your life. Hobbies are helpful to make you well-rounded. Both are important, so make sure to spend time on your hobby.

Riding a horse is a hobby that can be done outdoors. While on horseback, you could explore the wilderness, find hidden trails and discover new animals. Also, if you're able to befriend a horse then you'll have a great and personal connection to the natural world that might be a new experience.

To start a new collection easily, bring back some interesting mementos from any trips that you take. You could collect spoons, local pottery, postcards, wine bottles, etc. No matter what you collect, you will have something to remember your trip by. Additionally, you can share your experiences with others by showing off your collection.

If you want to work jigsaw puzzles but do not want to clutter the dining table, get a folding puzzle board. This lets you keep the puzzle together and protect it by folding the sides up and storing it until your next session. The board keeps all the pieces together.

Jigsaw puzzles are a great option for a hobby. You can choose from easy to hard levels. Hang them up and display them for everyone to see. Choose a more difficult puzzle to do next each time you have completed one.

Try to collect things as a hobby. Today, the Internet can help you determine value, so you can find out what you need to get the most return on any investments. Check out eBay and other sites, and you can sell off your items to people who will pay the most!

If you want to do puzzles, get a foldable puzzle board so you don't tie up space. Just fold it up and tuck it away. The board keeps all the pieces right where you left them.

Be careful if cooking is your hobby. If you wear loose clothing, you may end up with a fire on your hands. Keep your hair tied back, wear tight clothes and an apron. Remember that safety and cooking go hand in hand.

A hobby could be the thing you were missing when you have tons of free time. However, getting the most from your hobbies is not always as easy as you might think. With what you've gone over in the article above, getting a lot from your hobbies is possible.

2013年9月26日星期四

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2013年9月25日星期三

Chess - Chess - Its Origins And Development

Chess is one of the world's great board games. For centuries chess players around the world have been mesmerized by its challenges, and its great masters have been revered as superstars of a different order -- superstars with brains.


** Origins and background of chess

Like many of our popular board games, such as checkers (draughts) and backgammon, chess originated sometime in the first millenium AD, somewhere along the Silk Road that ran between Europe, Egypt, India and the Orient. Most historians trace its origins back to northern India or Afganistan sometime around 600 AD.

As one might expect, there is a good deal of controversy among chess historians about both the date and place of the origin of chess. While some place its origins in China, the most common theory is that the version of chess we are familiar with evolved from a game played in northern India called ashtapada. This game used an 8x8 board (like ours), but had 4 players, and moves were determined by the throw of dice.

As some historians point out, the unique features of ashtapada, and its successor called chataranga, were deeply embedded in Indian culture of the time. The fact that it was a "four-handed" war game was consistent with the division of the country into many kingdoms. And the use of dice to determine moves was a reflection of the importance of Karma in Indian religious thought.

** Evolution into modern chess


The gradual appearance of different types of Indian military forces in the Indian board game known as chataranga -- elephants, chariots, cavalry and infantry -- was consistent with the transition of the game from a relatively simple "race" game to that of a war game.

In a race game players do not capture or extinguish their opponents. If a player lands on the same square as an opponent, the opponent would simply have to go back to the beginning and start over.

But when the principle of capture or extinction was accepted -- where the captured opponent's piece is taken off the board -- this involves a different game concept -- a different "mind set". And it was then just a matter of time before different types of military forces, with different powers and values would be introduced.

This transition from race game to war game is important. But perhaps the most significant evolutionary step -- and the one most difficult to explain -- was the elimination of the dice as the means of determining moves. As Yuri Averbakh, a Russian chess historian, points out, this was not something that would happen "naturally" within a pure Indian context.

As he says, "To change the Indian war game into chess it was necessary to throw away the dice. Unlike the previous stages which were typical for the evolutional way of the game`s development and were not contrary to the customs of the Indians and their religious beliefs, giving up dice was a radical, a revolutionary step forward that not only changed the game itself but also its philosophy. In fact, that step meant the withdrawal from the principle of Karma - the basic principle of the Indian philosophy. Now the result depended entirely on the players' will, on their choice. They became complete masters of their destiny."

According to Averbakh this would not have happened without the influence of Greece upon northern India. This influence stretched back to Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC and developed even further within what historians call the Indo-Greek Kingdom. This was a large area including much of Afganistan and northern India which was conquered by the Greco-Bactrian kind Demetrius in 180 BC.

This kingdom lasted for about 200 years in which time the region underwent a profound synthesis of Greek and Indian religion, culture, languages and symbols. As Wikipedia says, "The Indo-Greek kings seem to have achieved a level of cultural syncretism with no equivalent in history, the consequences of which are still felt today."

The Greek influence was felt for hundreds of years after the demise of the Indo-Greek Kingdom. According to Averbakh it was this Greek influence that "helpd the Indians to make the final step for chess to appear." In particular, he mentions that Greeks brought with them the war game petteia. Although it was a simpler game, it had two of the features that chess would eventually gain -- players could "kill" each other, and there were no dice. "It was the player himself who decided where and which pieces should move. He had complete freedom of choice."

** Chess in the Kushan Kingdom

Another writer goes even further in placing the origins of modern chess in the Afganistan/Northern India region, but places that development much earlier than 600 AD. Gerhard Josten, in his article "Chess - A Living Fossil" claims that modern chess is an amalgam of a number of different games. We know this, Josten claims, because of its completely unique feature of having three different types of characters:

1. A relatively immoble center piece -- the King -- the capture of which is the object of the game.
2. A number of pieces that can make varying long moves -- moves that cover more than one space.
3. A number of pieces that can only make short moves -- moves that cover only one space.

Josten claims these different pieces originated in different games, and were amalgamated in what we know as modern chess. He claims type 1 pieces originated in Chinese games, type 2 pieces originated in Mesopotamian divination rites -- in particular, the Babylonian astrolabe, and type 3 pieces originated in Indian race games.

According to Josten, chess did not spring fully developed into existence in 600 AD but evolved over the first two or three centuries of the first millenium -- in particular between 50 BC and 200 AD. This development took place in a number of places -- India, China, and all along the Silk Road to Europe -- and each of the areas would have influenced the others.

But the most likely place where it all came together was the Kushan Empire, the eventual successor to the old Indo-Greek Kingdom. This was the central Asian area encompassing much of northern India, Pakistan, and Afganistan.

As we saw with the Indo-Greek Empire, this area stood at the crossroads of Europe, India and the Orient, and was deeply influenced by Greek culture. Most importantly, the Kushans were cultural, religious and linguistic synergists. They took elements from various cultures and forged these elements into something new and different.

This, according to Josten, is exactly what happened to the game of chess in the early centuries of the first millenium. It is also why we have so few hard facts about this influential period. As he says,

"Following the gradual disintegration of the Kushan Empire, the neighbouring conquering states each claimed to be the intellectual authors of chess, with no mention of the losers of the battles, the Kushans.... The fall of the Kushan Empire may thus be the main reason why so many facts have been lost and so many unbelievable legends have arisen around the genesis of chess..."

The Proper Swing Sequence

Some people who listen to my golf lessons think the swing is all about moving the right body parts. But knowing which parts to move isn’t enough. You also need to know what sequence to move them in, when, and how quickly. Building rhythm, timing, and tempo into your swing is a prerequisite to hitting good golf shots time and time again.


Helping players develop swing consistency is a priority in my golf instruction. I work diligently with them, to help them learn both the components of a good swing and the “feel” of one. Once they learn these, they’re well on their way to hitting good shots consistently.

Below is the swing sequence I recommend in my golf tips. Following it builds rhythm, timing, and tempo in a golf swing. Practicing it builds consistency

Initiate the swing trigger.

Player, Palmer, and Nicholas all start their swings with a little move that triggers the action. Player kicks in his right knee. Palmer waggles his club one final time. And Nicholas turns his head to the right. These movements help each player make a smooth, fluid start to the backswing, preventing any jerky movements that destroys critical swing linkage.

Start the takeaway.


Requiring a one-piece movement, the takeaway determines the swing’s shape and tempo. Moving the club, hands, arms, and chest in unison keeps the clubhead low and the backswing full. It also starts a wide and a powerful move away from the ball.

Set the clubhead on the right plane.

During the first few feet the swing, the club must move gradually inside the ball-to-target line. At the same time it must stay outside your hands. The key to setting the clubhead on the right plane lies in starting the swing with the butt of the club. Moving the club in towards your right thigh helps set the club on the right path.

Open the clubhead slightly.

I recommend in my golf tips that you think of the clubface as a gate that opens slowly clockwise in conjunction with the turning motion of your body. Open it slowly as you set the clubhead on the right plane.

Check the club at the mid-point of the backswing.

At this point your left arm should be close to your body and the right elbow splayed out slightly, pointing down toward the ground. Your wrists should be fully cocked, forming a 90-degree right angle between your hands and the club. From here, it’s an easy move to the top of the backswing, also known as the slot.

Turn your head right.

Here, you should be aware of some tension in your right knee. Your left shoulder should be comfortably underneath your chin. Allowing your head to turn to the right as you swing the back to the ball encourages your spine to rotate. It also gets your weight moving in the right direction. The club should be as parallel to the target line as possible when it reaches the slot.

Start turning the lower body.

The body as a whole is then able to unwind in one motion. The movement produces a swinging motion of the arms, hands, and club, allowing the clubhead to peak through impact. Think about swinging the clubhead, not hitting the ball.

Straighten and release your right arm.

Do it as early as possible from the downswing, maintaining the 90-degree angle at the back of your wrists. Gradually opening up your body the target widens your downswing arc and puts the clubhead on a square path to the ball. In my golf lessons I tell players to drive the right knee toward the left. but to delay the club’s release as long as they can, creating solid contact.

Firm up the left side of your body.

It needs to both support and resist the release of the clubhead as your torso unwinds. At the same time drive your right side through the ball as hard as you like. Your arms should be fully extended and your weight going forward, sort of like a lumber jack chopping down a tree, to generate optimum impact. I have players in my golf instruction sessions practice swinging the club like a baseball bat. Then, I have them lower the club to the ground, but continue to swing the club the same way.

Rotate the body fully through impact.

Most of the player’s weight will end-up on the left side of your body and your right heel will be up. At this point, the knees touch lightly, the hips are fully turned, and the right shoulder is pointed at the target. Accelerating the clubhead through the swing carries the player through the swing.

Finish with hand high above left shoulder.

The player will be in a straight up, balanced position when the swing is completed. Your hands will finish high, just like you see in golf instruction manuals.

Producing good golf shots requires not only knowing which body parts to move in isolation but also examining the swing holistically. Practicing the steps I describe above in the sequence encourages this holistic look. Successfulyl linking them together into a smooth swing, with rhythm, tempo, and the right timing, builds a coordinated, repeating action, and generates consistency and accuracy.

The Proper Takeaway And Backswing

When it comes to the swing, my golf instruction hinges on a simple idea: The swing is a chain reaction. What occurs at the start of the swing influences what happens at the end. If you execute the takeaway and backswing properly, you’ll hit the ball with accuracy and power. If you don’t, you’ll hit the ball off-line and with little power.


A proper takeaway is critical to a good swing. Like the catalyst in a chain reaction, the takeaway starts everything in motion, as I stress in my golf tips. It introduces width and coordination in the swing, and determines the quality and shape of the shot. In fact, many experts consider the first 30 inches of the takeaway the most crucial point in the swing.

A one-piece movement starts the takeaway. To achieve this, sweep the club back low and slow as your left knee, hip, and shoulder turn to the right. Shift your weight slightly onto the right foot (for right-handers), creating the feeling as if the move was “all arms.” And hold your chin up as you take the club away to allow for a full left shoulder turn.

Here, some golf instruction differs on the position of the left heel. No hard and fast rules state that it should remain planted during takeaway. You’re free to lift it if you have to. I recommend in my golf lessons that you keep it planted as long as you can, creating resistance in the swing. However, if your heel must come up to complete the body-turn, then by all means lift it. It all depends on how flexible you are.

Also, keep your wrists passive until the club reaches the height of your right hip. Cock your writs at this point as you complete the body turn, forming a right angle between the shaft and the left forearm.

This is a good checkpoint. If your wrists form a 90-degree angle and the club is on plane, your takeaway has been sound.


Continue turning your arms and body until you’re at the top of the swing, or in the slot. Your weight is on your right foot and your club is as close to horizontal as possible. Both thumbs are under the shaft.

Next comes a key transition point, one that I really focus on in my golf lessons. It needs to be smooth and unhurried, so don’t rush it. If you do, your swing will be come too narrow.

Many tour players and players with low golf handicaps employee Harvey Penick’s “Magic Move” at this point. It’s ideal for beginning the downswing. And it’s simple.

At the start of the downswing, shift your weight gradually to the left side while, at the same time, bringing your right arm closer to your body. That’s it. It’s a subtle but highly effective move.

The Magic Move flattens out the swing plane slightly, putting it on the ideal position from which to swing the club on the optimum path and deliver the clubhead squared to the ball with power.

The rest of the downswing is basically a reaction to what has come before. Retain the 90- degree angle between the left forearm and club as long as you can. Keep the flex in your knees and the gap between them as the club comes down. And settle your weight gradually on the left side of your body. Finally, make sure you keep your body behind the ball at impact.

At this point, if you’ve executed the takeaway and downswing properly, you’ll return to the same position you assumed at the start of your swing. The rest of the swing should follow naturally.

A good exercise to practice when you can’t get to a driving range is the tire drill. It’s one I sometimes use in my golf lessons.

Take an old tire and line it up where the ball should be in your swing. Then take a club, assume your normal set-up. Execute the takeaway and downswing, hitting the tire instead of the ball. Substitute a golf bag for the tire, if you want. Practice this drill as often as you can. It helps perfect the takeaway and backswing.

Your swing, as I said at the beginning of this golf tip, is like a chain reaction. What happens at the start affects what happens at the end. Practice the sequence detailed here, including Harvey Penick’s Magic Move, and you’re well on your way to developing a consistent, error-free swing—and to a lower golf handicap.

2013年9月24日星期二

Dance - How Do You Learn To Dance?

There is much confusion amongst the general public about how you can learn to dance. It seems that everyone wants to learn to dance. How many people when you ask them the things that they would like to learn one day mention dancing? From my experience pretty much everyone. But how many people go through the effort to learn?


There is a myth out there that all dancers were born with the gift of dancing. My take on that is this: all dancers were born with the gift of dancing, and we were all given that gift! There are those who seemed to just drop out of their mother's womb dancing. However don't let the tears well up if this is not you, there is a dancer in everyone and it is something that can be unearthed.

The baby dancing on arrival in the world is a good analogy. A baby probably won't be able to talk for the first few years of its life. Then the words come out one by one, then sentences, and then absurdities on arrival of the teenage years. If I told you that I knew a 5 year old who could talk, would your face transform into an expression of surprise? (I'm hoping you answered 'no').

You give a baby as long as it needs to learn to talk or walk because you know that it will learn. With dancing it is just the same, it may seem unnatural at first, but with a bit of practice you can dance pretty well. And it won't take you as long as it took you to learn to talk!

The transition from walking and moving about normally into dancing is not as huge as it is made up to be. It is a case of making certain simple movements gestures, linking them up in interesting ways and making it look good! Of course when it comes to learning routines and choreography, that's another skill in and of itself!

So what's the answer to the golden question? How do you learn to dance? Well there are many ways. You could learn by copying your favourite artists such as Janet Jackson, Usher or J.Lo and studying their music videos. In fact, this is the way famous MTV choreographer Wade Robson learnt to dance. If you are naturally a good dancer, this could be a good approach.


Another way you could learn is to make friends with people who are good dancers and either copy them or try and get them to show you how to do a few of their moves. This is great, especially if you spend a lot of time with these friends.

The easiest way you can learn to dance is to join a dance class. There will usually be at least a couple of these in your area, maybe even a dance studio offering a variety of different classes from different teachers. If you are not naturally a dancer, joining a dance class or series of classes is probably the best option for you. Even if you can dance and learnt on your own, there are still plenty of things you can learn from joining a dance class. If you are at all serious about dancing as a profession, you should definitely be going to classes unless you are privileged enough to be the son/ daughter of a talented dancer or have lots of great contacts/ dancer friends.

The good thing about dance classes is that they are usually grouped into rough ability levels so if you are a beginner you can find a class at your level until you get better. Even so, it can feel as if you are throwing yourself in at the deep end when you begin, but nonetheless, just like you did with the walking and talking, stick at it. You will get better.

As you go to more and more classes, you will start to build up the pieces of the puzzle of that style and soon you'll be dancing more confidently. The important thing (and I'm not just copying someone's words) is that you enjoy yourself regardless of your standard. It may seem difficult to comprehend (or maybe not) but the people who get good are usually the people who enjoy their dancing the most, even when they did have 2 left feet! Of course, be self-aware where you need to improve and work at it, but by all means, ABSOLUTELY NOT do not beat yourself up. If you need help, concentrate on the music in class and try and enjoy that!

If I were to give out one piece of advice (this changes with time, but here's my favourite advice I'm dishing out at the moment), it would be...to go out and dance. Now you may be saying "but I can't dance." You know what you need to do then! Start trying to copy what you see in dance videos and find out about dance classes you can go to. And then go to the dance classes that interest you. And then get better. And better. And better still.

Holiday - The Door To Andalucia

In the northernmost part of Andalusia, between Jaen and Ciudad Real, where Andalusia begins, we find a Natural Park, which is unequalled amongst the natural parks of Andalusia.


Its history is ingraved in its landscape, and is well illustrated in books and stories, in common expressions, and also physically in the many archeological sites, paintings and sculptures found here. These, and the richness of nature in its rugged and hard terrains makes it a deserving subject for conservation. This natural and historical wealth is a heritage for the future. The Natural Park, with an area of 6.000 hectares, situated in the Sierra Morena, is one of the most spectacularly beautiful landscapes that exist in Andalusia. For the hiker or tourist entering the park after the smooth plains of the central peninsual, the sudden dramatic panorama of the mountains and narrow passes is breathtaking. On the other hand, the hiker leaving the park finds that in the space of only a few kilometers these forceful montains are now behind him, and that suddenly a gentle, easy Castilian landscape lies ahead.

The area is is the pass between Andalusia and the rest of the peninsula. In few places is your entry and departure so well defined. A place of history, a place full of rocky cliffs and crags, a frontier, and more, the list could go on forever with the ideals this place cojures up in the imagination. However, it is necessary to travel here to appreciate the range of images that can be seen in the changing vista from the highway.

In this area, the town of Santa Elena can be found, a place which the visitor really should visit. Although this is inside a natural park of great ecological value, it has also been for centuries an axis of meeting points between Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha. A strong sense of its special omportance is expressed in the history of this place.

The national park was formed by a large fracture in the surface of the earth where the slow erosion of the river has formed the great narrow passes through the slate of the Sierra and has broken up the uniformity of the Sierras, through which, in its course, leasds the Valley of the Guadalquivir.

Their position in the northern border of Andalucia, gives these mountains considerable rainfall. The combination of the natural form of the rocks and the rainswater endows this land with its vitality and vigor. With heights of more than 1.000 metres and because of he geological break between the Meseta and the valley of the Guadalquivir, a natural bioversity exists.


Any tourist will be more than rewarded by a visit there and will be able to observe in these forests the blend of holm oak, cork, gall oak, and pine, to mention only a few species among the natural wealth of this mountain range. Below the trees, is an undergrowth of mediterranean origin, with plants such as madrona bushes, mastic bushes, and myrtle. The wildlife living here include the wolf, the lynx, the deer, the wild boar and the marten, to name just a few. They have evolved here in perfect equilibrium in a rich diversity of species in spite of the proximity of human civilization. The skies, too, are worth more than a mere glance, as here you can observe such birds as the lion vulture, and the beautiful imperial eagle.

Access to the park is principally via the Motorway of Andalusia which leads te Santa Elena, from where your route can be decided. You can travel through some of the narrow passes of the River or by going on foot across the Arroyo del Rey (The King's Stream) or, perhaps, taking the road to the Aldea de Miranda del Rey (Village of Miranda del Rey).

Inside the park and just after crossing the pass in the north, is the zone of the Correderas. From here, the road going in the direction of Aldeaquemada leads to the interior of the sierras. On entering this area of natural beauty one should perhaps be prepared to pause and absorb at leisure the geological formations that nature has created. Deep ravines, stark, vertical faces and diverse eroded forms shape the landscape.

Speaking of areas of natural beauty, we must not forget that there are also those who consider this area to be a real hunter's paradise as well. For a long time this has been a major hunting ground where hunting practices have had an almost ritual fulfillment, Santa Elena and La Carolina being central to the practice.

Few natural places of this size can offer the tourist so much. Wildlife, hunting, spectacular views, as well as its own special historical features. Near Santa Elena is one of the jewels of Iberian archeology, the Collado de los Jardines (Collado of the Gardens). In the middle of the Sierras is one of the most interesting Iberian sancturies known, and nearby, an archeological site, The Cave of the Dolis with its valuable cave paintings.

Another place of interest to visit, though not within the park's borders, is the Paraje Natural (Natural Place) known for la Cascada de la Cimbarra (The Waterfall of the Cimbarra). It can be reached via the Motorway of Andalusia via Aldeaquemada or from Santa Elena which also leads to Aldeaquemada.

In mid sierra, due to the erosion of the strong hard slate, the River Guadalquivir appears to be completely enclosed, creating mighty cliffs, from where various waterfalls originate, the most spectacular being La Cimbarra. The combination of natural factors here make it a place to mark on the map as a must. The delicious meat of the mountain is also a rare delicacy due te the difficulty of the terrain. Meat, such as small game, with fried breadcrumbs, sausages, and delicate wild mushrooms, are authentic dishes which tempt the palate with their delicious flavours and aromas.

This area has become, over the centuries, through the richness of its wildlife and natural beauty, a unique place on the map of Andalusia and the Iberian peninsula as a whole.

Satellite - Saturday Night Live Is An American Saturday Night Tradition

If you have been one of the millions of people who have been a faithful follower of Saturday Night Live, then you know how many of our great comedic actors that were catapulted to stardom because of this show. It has probably produced more famous comedians than any one show ever has.


It has been being broadcast live from New York City to most of the country every Saturday night since October 11, 1975. It is also broadcast simultaneously in Canada. It is one of the longest running comedy shows in television history. The show features various comedy skits by its many cast members and always has a guest host and a musical talent.

Lorne Michaels was the show's first producer. NBC decided that the show should be done in New York City at Rockefeller Center. They gave Michael's studio 8H. This studio is well known for being the place where Saturday Night Live is performed each week.

Over the years, the cast members have changed often from season to season. This is largely due to the fact that so many of these actors go on to become movie stars or star in sitcoms on other television shows. The first original cast was one of the best and gave actors like Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtain, Laraine Newman along with the late Gilda Radnor and John Belushi a push towards their other successes.

There are so many great people that have been part of the cast of this show, that it is impossible to list all of them in this short article, but some are so note worthy that they have to be acknowledged. In all fairness, there has probably never been anyone who was a cast member that was not special in their own way.

Martin Short and Dana Carvey are both big stars today and the characters that they played on the show were unforgettable. Short's character, Ed Grimeley and Carvey's character The Church Lady will never be forgotten.


Chris Farley and Phil Hartman, both hilarious, had really just begun their movie careers after the show. Sadly, they followed the fate of two of their predecessors, Radnor and Belushi. David Spade has made many movies as well as played characters in sitcoms. Adam Sandler has enjoyed a very productive movie career.

Chris Rock, Mike Myers, and Eddie Murphy are yet three more who got some of their beginnings on Saturday Night Live. You really could not ask for one show to deliver more entertainment than this show has over the past 32 years.

Travel - No Artificial Ingredients - Costa Rica

For a perfect blend of science, adventure, and hands-on learning, Costa Rica is an excellent destination for student group travelers. A republic in Central America, Costa Rica (literally "Rich Coast") is bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. The destination is divided into 20 natural parks, eight biological reserves, and a series of protected areas that will expand the regular science curriculum far beyond the walls of the classroom.


Outdoor activities include horseback riding, hiking, and guided bird-watching tours. While Costa Rica is has only about 0.1% of the world's landmass, it contains 5% of the world's biodiversity, with nearly a quarter of the country composed of protected forests and reserves.

The internationally-known Corcovado National Park is famous among ecologists for its biodiversity and is home to an abundance of wildlife. Students experience the park with horseback riding, expeditions to the Guayami Indigenous Reserve, and bird watching. Boat tours provide views of marine birds and dolphins. Corcovado is the last remaining large tract of lowland rain forest o the Pacific coast of Central America. Howler and spider monkeys, tapirs, anteaters, crocodiles, bull sharks, and exotic birds are just a few of the park's inhabitants, along with a huge variety of tropical plant life.

Home to 320 species of birds, Tortuguero National Park is mostly recognized for its annual nesting of endangered green turtles and is considered the most important nesting site for this species. The park is also home to spider, howler, and white-throated Capuchin monkeys, the three-toed sloth, and the endangered manatee. The best way to see most of the park is from a boat. Evening guided tours enable students to visit the beachfront and see the Green Sea turtles nesting under the moon. During the tours, students can watch as the turtles struggle up the beach, dig their nests, and lay their eggs.

A walk through a Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve reveals a lush green garden of mosses, ferns, and flowers growing thickly on every tree. Clouds drift and settle among the slopes, providing moisture for the amazing plant growth. Wildlife includes the jaguar, three-wattled bellbird, and the famous and elusive Resplendent Quetzal. Of the 1,400 types of Costa Rica Orchids, 500 of them are found at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Students may enjoy a canopy tour of a cloud forest's protected area, or explore the area by suspension bridges. Aerial tram tours travel through the treetops, where an incredible diversity of plants and animals can be seen. For a more rustic mode of travel, students may strap on mountain climbing harnesses and pull themselves along suspended cables to a series of wooden platforms built in the trees.


Highlights at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve include butterfly gardens, reptile and amphibian exhibitions, hummingbird gardens, and a visit to an orchid garden. Night tours feature beautiful sunsets and a naturalist guide who explains the many unique elements of the forest and its inhabitants.

In addition to rain forests, Costa Rica is a land of volcanoes, waterfalls, and rivers. One of the most popular ways to explore its waterways is snorkeling. Here, students get in touch with the colorful underwater world where eels, lobsters, schools of fish, and the spectacular whale shark make their home. This is also a great time to try out the new sport of "Canyoning," the exciting adventure of repelling down waterfalls. If that's too adventurous, students can take a relaxing dip in volcano-heated waters after a hike on the active Arenal Volcano.

The capital city of San Jose is an open gateway to the country's many interesting destinations. Costa Rica's National Museum, located in the ancient Bellavista Fort, is the guardian of the country's precious treasures and cultural heritage. The Jade Museum presents a number of important archaeological pieces, in addition to jade pieces and pottery. Presenting the rich culture of Costa Rica, Central Market is the city's colorful marketplace. Within the cozy warren of alleyways, students discover flowers, baskets, spices, fresh goods, and souvenirs. At the nearby Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, visitors view more than 2,000 glittering pre-Colombian gold artifacts.

2013年9月22日星期日

Half man, half amazing, all fun

Winning the U.S Open would be great, but what PGA Tour rookie Andres Gonzales really wants is for Tiger Woods to tweet him back.
One of Tiger Woods' best friends in the world is a PGA Tour rookie with a super Fu Manchu, a brown hair salad, and the build of a baby grand -- 220-pound Andres Gonzales.

The only problem is, Woods doesn't know it.

"@TigerWoods as you probably know, my birthday was this week. I believe you owe me a night around a camp fire with songs and smores. Ttfn [ta ta for now]," Gonzales tweeted on May 19, even though Woods wouldn't know Gonzales from your podiatrist.

"Been awake since 3 a.m.," Gonzales tweeted on May 14. "@TigerWoods you awake yet? Let's chat." They didn't.

Then there was … "Anybody have a pill that will give me six pack ABS while sitting my hotel room doing nothing @TigerWoods how you look like that?"

No reply.

Gonzales calls himself "Half Man, Half Amazing," but he doesn't have six-pack abs. It's doubtful he's seen his abs in years. But he does have something Woods doesn't: a tee-time Thursday in this especially open Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

When Gonzales qualified, he immediately tweeted, "@TigerWoods qualified for the open today. Hate to say I don't need a roommate because my family is coming. But I would be up for a p. round."

Then Woods withdrew with left knee and Achilles problems, meaning he'll miss the Open for the first time in 17 years, not to mention a chance to room with his cyber stalker.

[+] EnlargeAndres Gonzales/Kenny Powers
Getty Images/HBO/Fred Norris
PGA Tour rookie Andres Gonzales is often mistaken for Danny McBride who plays Kenny Powers on the HBO television series "Eastbound and Down."
If "@TigerWoods" and "@Andres_Gonzales" ever do show up at the same tournament (Hey, Tiger, how about inviting The Gonzo to your AT&T National tournament on June 30?), Woods won't be able to miss him. Gonzales is a 28-year-old from Olympia, Wash., who looks like a tattoo parlor security guard. His Fu is annexing his face, his Fabio-length hair flows behind him like Dave Grohl's and his barrel chest is enough for triplets. Mirrored sunglasses hide green eyes and his belt buckle is engraved with his own face. He looks less like a PGA Tour player than he does Genghis Khan.

"Wrong," says Gonzales. "Mostly I get Kenny Powers. Everybody thinks I look like Kenny Powers. Some guy the other day, every time I hit a shot or a putt, was hollering, 'Kenny Powers Baby!'"

"Gonzo" is growing that mushroom cloud on his head for a reason, though. His father died of pancreatic cancer in 2007 so he's trying to get it long enough to donate to Locks of Love, which makes hair prosthetics for kids going through chemo.

How would your dad feel to see you on Tour, in the Open, and getting famous?

"He'd roll around in his grave," Gonzales says. "He'd look at my hair and go, 'You look like a clown!'"

This man is more fun than a boxful of puppies. At the Sony Open, he was an alternate hoping for a player -- any player -- to withdraw. So what did he do? He started bribing guys to quit -- with $1 bills. Incredibly, it didn't work.
This man is more fun than a boxful of puppies. At the Sony Open, he was an alternate hoping for a player -- any player -- to withdraw. So what did he do? He started bribing guys to quit -- with $1 bills. Incredibly, it didn't work.

This first year on tour for the ex-UNLV star wasn't working much, either, until June busted out. He'd made only three cuts in nine tries, but then he qualified for the Open in Tunica, Miss. And last week, he finished T-38 in Memphis and made $21,840, which was about $15,000 more than he made all year.

"What am I gonna do with it?" he says. "Give it to my wife, what else?"

Far beyond the 'do and the Fu and the boo, Gonzales is known for his hilarious tweets to Woods, whom he idolized as a youth and whom he twintroduced himself like so:

"@TigerWoods my name is andresgonzales and I am a rookie on tour. I like elephants."

One time he asked Tiger what his 40-yard-dash time was.

Another time he wondered why Tiger wouldn't tweet him back. "I think if you ever answer me you will realize I am way cooler than Jean Claude Van Dam?"

And then there was the admonishment: "@TigerWoods You missed out last night on the bowling!"

He hopes Woods isn't offended by them. Then again, he doesn't even know if Woods is aware of them. Or him. He just admires the famous Cablinasian so much that he decided he'd form a one-way public friendship with him. Love unrequited is still love.

"He's just done so much for golf," Gonzales says. "We need him back out here. We need him to come back out here and win, actually. The economy needs him to win!"

Now, whenever Gonzales finishes his round, other tour players ask him one question and one question only, and it's not "What'd you shoot?"

It's: "Did Tiger answer you yet?"

Answer: No.

"But I kind of hope he doesn't," Gonzales says. "I'm having too much fun with it the way it is."

Us, too.